by Con Warner
Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:04 am
From: Lenore Petersen [email protected]
The emails were:
Hello ,
I thought I had this property rented to a younger couple the other day but they haven't been returning my calls. Since I posted the ad you are the first person to contact me about the property.
The 3 Bed / 3 Bath property is move-in ready and I will rent it to the first person who signs a lease. I offer 3 month, 6 month and 12 month leases. The first months rent, the cleaning fee, and any pet fees are due at that time. If you're not yet out of your current lease that is acceptable. The property will remain vacant until you're ready to move in.
So you know, I do not require a background check or charge an application fee. However to qualify as a tenant I require a recent credit score. This is a link to a service we trust right Here. Print the report and bring it to the viewing.
If you do not bring a recent credit score from the above site to the viewing I will not show you the property. I apologize but I'm looking for serious tenants only and not window shoppers.
To schedule a viewing just respond to this email. I'm available any time after 10am this week.
Have a great day,
Lenore Petersen
The link goes to a credit report company that pays the scammer a small amount for your custom.
After filling in the information and replying to this person, the scam begins.
This person then asks 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 either to him, your friend or a family member.
Sounds safe. It's not!
At other times, this person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union or Moneygram with the promise that they will send the keys through a courier company.
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.
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.
