Rental Scam - [email protected]

Kelly Fanto < [email protected] > wrote:

Hi xxxx,

I hope you are having a good weekend. Yes, I understand you can't place direct deposit into another holder's account which is making things a little bit difficult. You can make wire transfer into the new account but it going to take 2 to 3 business days for money to reflect and confirm your transaction in holder's account.

Sorry for putting you through a lot of stress while trying to make the payment. However, The rental is still going through Angela Heffner, The account holder's name of the banking information on the contract agreement that I have emailed you is Angela personal assistance since you can't make direct deposit into her account she asked that I put up the new account for easy transaction. I'm sorry for any inconveniences this might have cause you. I'm just doing my job and I hope you understand. Here is a number to reach me (813) 609-5927. I will be looking forward to hear from you.

Best Regards,
Kelly Fanto

This person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union, MoneyGram, pre-paid credit card or bank transfer with a promise that you can have the keys to a property that does not belong to him.

Sounds safe. It's not!

At other times, he will ask for proof that you are able to pay the deposit and rent due to a string of time wasters.
This proof is in the form of a Western Union or MoneyGram payment to a lawyer,a friend or family member.

In either case, if payment is made and you give this person the details, they will collect the money.
You will not hear from them again.

All the details such as names, addresses, pictures etc. that the scammer uses in order to back up his story, are stolen from elsewhere.

If you are reading this because you are looking for property to rent, and you are in contact with this thief you are probably searching Craigslist, Gumtree or similar listing sites. If you receive any requests from 'Landlords' asking for some kind of payment before viewing, then it will also be a scam. Please forward the mail to me at the address in my signature line and I will investigate and list them if necessary.