by sej3de
Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:59 am
A few weeks ago I placed an ad on Craigslist about a room for rent and received a text message from that was sent from a website. The text message told me to send me reply to [email protected]. I replied with information about the room for rent and here are some of the e-mails I received. I'm leaving out most of my responses. I eventually received a check for $2985.75. It's from Mortgage Investors Corporation with their Florida address and used Fifth Third Bank. Both seem legit as companies go, but I've just had too many questions during this process. I finally Googled "Helen's" e-mail address and came upon this web site. Thank you! Anyway, I'm wondering what to do with the check. Take it to the police? Should I let the scammer know that I'm on to them or just ignore them and block them on my e-mail? I'm tempted to say that my roommate got a hold of the check, cashed it and went gambling and lost it all. 
One other note: I am familiar with foreign exchange students and Fullbright scholars, so I was used to e-mails that had odd/poor English grammar. I also felt very sympathetic to foreign students because I knew a decent amount and have seen them struggle with cultural differences, so I really wanted to try help this person move over here smoothly. I was also very interested in renting the room. I am really surprised the depths they went to create this persona. (I received a seemingly sincere Christmas message on the 25th). Judging by the amount of people registered it seems I am not the only person that has been deceived. At least it didn't cost me any money. Just time.
Dear XXXX,
I'll be so glad if you can reserve the room for me and i really appreciate the breakdown details of the house, more about me from Alaska (Anchorage) USA, a quiet,clean,honest,responsible and easy going person to live with, I'm 5"7',straight, 24 years of age. I dont drink nor smoke but i'm cool living with people that do. I love to go on date but seldomly party, I swim for fun and sometimes play long tennis. i lives here with my Uncle here in Alaska,my Dad died when i was young ,roommie i want you to know that i have no friends in the area except you for now lol. I speak English and French fluently..I am currently working on a research pertaining to my course work in culture and tourism.... I hope to end my current assignment by the end of this month here in Alaska and focus on my new assingment to your States..
I will like to make a payment of $600 and reserve the room for me before my arrival, and then i will make subsequent payment thereafter as i plan to stay for more than 6months. So i'll client to see you'll get the payment prior to my arriving date.....
To be honest with you i really like the kind of person you are from your little description and if you have the picture of the bedroom available, kindly forward it to my mailbox. I am really okay with the place....
I am planning to arrive before the end of next month so i will love to know if i can make the payment ahead of my arrival via business Cheque,money order or personnal Cheque,so you will get the payment by next week and i can go ahead making arrangement for sending the payment to you, also i will much apprecaite if you can mail your information like,your mailing address ,your full name,your contact number as to appear on the payment. I will like to ship in my car,luggage,laptop and other materials for my research ahead of my arrival...
I will also like you to remove the advert from the site b'cos i am ready to have your place rented.....
Hope to read from you soon.
Helen.
Dear XXXX,
I really appreciate the reply ,I am okay with the price for rent, i'm trying to get everything set up as soon as i can cause i don't have much time to spend here again..am comfortable with the cost of the room and its quite reasonable and affordable. So i have discuss about the room payment to my uncle and he promise to make it up to you as soon as he have the necessary information that he will need to get the payment across to you.The check will be mail out to you via USPS regular mail delivery service and you will get it in couple of days.
All you have to do now in order to get the payment to you is to provide the below information.
(1)your full name. So that the check can be made payable to you.
(2)your contact address. In order to mail the check to you.
(3)your phone #. You can be reach in case of emergency.
The check will get to you as soon as possible so that i can secure the place prior to my arrival..
Waiting for your responce.Take care of yourself and have a pleasant day
I would have preferd to give you a calls since all this while,but i'm facing a little problem with my cell phone now,so i was planning to buy another phone when i arrive to the state. please kindly bear with me..
Helen.
Dear XXXX,
I really appreciate giving me the room as a potential roommate and the information provided,i consider the money i would have waste if i don't get a place down before my arrival to the state...
Right now i have told my uncle about you and he agree with me and really wish to know more about you and talk to you too,so i'll appreciate if you could forward your contact number to me and he will ring you very soon,okay?
He also told me to ask if you can help me out because now he is the only one that i lookup to {breadwinner}since i loss my parents years back and he wanted to make sure that everything go well for me, he will be sending the payment for the room to you by next week and he will include my shipping fee with your rent fee and you can paid my shipper at the point of there delivery of my stuffs to my future home,as he will be helping me out with the shipping of my car, luggage,furniture and my computer that i will be bringing in for the research prior to my arrival.
He want to know how trusting you are,so he said that if you agree,he will make sure he get the payment to you by next week,okay? I really like the kind of person you are and i'll really love making a roomie together with you and i'll really appreciate if you could aslo pick me up at the ariport when i arrive to the state and i'll send my flight schedule to you as soon as it is avaialble...Thanks, can't wait to see your beautiful face soon.
Hope to read from you soonest,
Kindest Regards.
Helen.
Dear XXXX,
How are you doing?Guess you are enjoying the present condition of the wonderful day?Anyway am really sorry for not emailing you since.. It's my great pleasure to inform you that the payment had been mailed out to you via regularmail today in the name and address you provided for me it's take 3 to 5 working days before you can receive it in your mailbox,i want you to please bear with me as i'm already commited and have much interest in you and the room.I will not give any chance to loose the room..
Please i will want you to please help me arrange the room and hope you did not forget that the money for my shippers as also been included and my things will be shipped over as soon as you get the money..Also i like to inform you that my travelling document has been taken for endorsement.I will let you know as soon as it made available so that you will know my flight schedule...Moreso,i'll appreciate if you can get back to me with the nearest airport (close to your place).And if you will be around to pick me up at the airport or not .
Please am really sorry once again for not emailing you...
Wating to read from you soon and my regards to your family..
Your sincerely
Helen.
Dear XXXX,
How are you doing?I'm sending across these message to wish you Merry christmas,I hope you have a wonderful christmas of your roomie.The payment will mail to you very soon,you are going to get it this week.
I'm anxious to meet you soon
Thanks alot.
Regards.
Helen.
Dear XXXX,
How're you doing today?Guess fine,I must confess that i love the person that you are from the email and that is why i love to live with you,Anyway i need to let you know that you will be getting the payment on monday unfailingly,please dont mad me XXXX,.just keep intouch with me till you receive the payment on monday as you can understand that your update give me the rest of mind,I would have preferd to give you a calls since all this while,but i'm facing a little problem with my cell phone now,so i was planning to buy another phone when i arrive to the state. please kindly bear with me
Thanks for being there for me
Helen.
Dear XXXXX,
How are you doing?I just want let you know that you will be getting the payment at anytime from now as it's was sent via regularmail service,please make sure you keep eye on your mailbox and as soon as you recieve it,do not hesitate to email me as soon as possible..so that we can plan on how my stuff is going to be shipped to my lovly room.
Thanks and have a wonderful day.
Warmest regards,
Helen.
Dear XXXX,
The payment was sent on the 20th of Dec,its my uncle boss sent the payment to you,Please i dont want you to get mad at me for the delay caused by me and
miscommunications my uncle i've been sick,I have everything set up now for my arrival and i spoke with Reguilar mail and i was told that the payment will be delievered,
Helen.
From: XXXXXXXX>
Subject: A check arrived!
To: "Helen Slater" <[email protected]>
Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 9:35 PM
Hi Helen,
I received a check in the mail today. It had no information with it. No return address. The check was also dated 12/29/11. It was from a company that is not located in Alaska.
Please be honest and open with me.
If this is your check, what is the amount it was made for?
Which company sent it and from where was it sent.
You mentioned you uncle's boss previously. Where does your uncle work?
The room is yours, but I need some more answers. I expected a small note indicating that you or someone connected to you sent it, but it's just very mysterious. This is all very weird to me.
I put the ad back up, but the room is yours if you can tell me more about the check and your situation.
Please respond to this message as soon as possible.
XXXXX
Hi XXXXX,
I really appreciate your care and concern,am happy to hear that you've received the payment.Yes that's my payment. It was mailed from Illinois.
MORTGAGE INVESTORS CORPORATION
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
6090 CENTRAL AVE,
ST, PETERSBURG,FL 33707
FIFTH THIRD BANK
FLORENCE,KENTUCKY
DATE TO BE WRITTEN ON CHECK : 12 / 29 /2011
$2,985.75
Thanks for your patient and honesty..I just contact to my shipping company operation manager that my car,luggage's,computer and other few things should be moved immediately.But i was told that they will have to get their service fee before delivering stuffs and luggage's into my future home which is your place cause there payment policy had been changed. And they also assure me immediately after they receive their service fee the shipping logistics will take effect.
Right now I will implore you to please go and deposit the payment at your bank and take out the rent fee and ask them to give you part payment $2,350 from the money so that you can send it to them and they can ship my things to my room before i arrived.
Please i will be so glad if you can do this for me, kindly get back to me so that i will get back to you with the information you will be sending the money to via Western Union Money Transfer i.e(Name and there address ).
Meanwhile, i will be going for my traveling document asap.And as soon as i get that, i will forward the whole flight schedule to you so that you will know my arrival date and time so you can come over to pick me up at the Airport.
Sincerely,
Helen.
Subject: RE: Yes,that's my Check!
To: "Helen Slater" <[email protected]>
Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 11:29 PM
OK, great to hear from you. Thank you for finally giving me some information. Now I need more information.
I don't want to be responsible for your possessions. I agreed to pick you up at the airport, but this is getting to be more work than I would like. Mostly because of your vagueness.
Why didn't you send money to the company that is handling your move? This doesn't make sense. Why didn't you send a check to me and a check to the company? Please tell me the name of the company hat will be shipping your car and belongings.
Who do send the money to? Will $2,350 be enough? There will be $35.75 after I take out for rent and the deposit. I will use that for Western Union fees.
What is a traveling document? Are you talking about a passport? What day do you think you will be here?
Are you in Alaska now?
Please answer these questions. This is frustrating.
Thank you,
XXXX
Dear XXXXX,
Thanks so much for the concern i really appreciate you,i told you in my previous correspondence that my cell phone is not in a good working condition,am planning to purchase a new one when i arrive to your place. This is a big move for me and am overwhelmed with eagerness to arrive to your place,thanks accepting to pick me up from the airport when i arrive. Concerning my stuffs delivery,my shipping agents are very competent and reliable,all i want from you is to help me in sending their service charges to them via western union money so my stuffs delivery can take effect,cash payment via western union money transfer is their payment method cause their payment policy has been changed. My shippers will contact you after receiving the fund so you can schedule a convenient time for the delivery,they will move in my stuffs by themselves,all you have to do is just to be around when they arrive.
I'll urge you to get the money across to my shippers in order to avoid further delay towards my arrival and besides my shippers always move around from one place to the other to pick up and deliver merchandise for their clients,I told my shippers that you will be sending the money today .The amount to send is $2,350 ( Transfer charges included).
And to make the delivery of my things fast and for me not to loose much money,he told me that i should make sure that i get the money sent to him at where they are now for merchandise delivery. So just write down the shippers info below and locate a Western Union Store ( you can do that by logging onto http://www.westernunion.com and find agent location around you ) and get the information below written down as the info below is what you will be needing at the Western Union location...and go there with cash as the money will be sent electronically.
The shipper's info needed at the Western Union location is below :
Shipper's Name ....... ODENS MARTINS
Address........4 Gaiva street
City..........Kiev
Zip code.........90665
Country.......Ukraine
Please as soon as you get it sent ,Kindly make sure that you email me the sending information's such as the :
1. 10 Digit MTCN Reference.
2. Sender's full name and address.
3. Total money sent.
Please make sure that You get this done asap so that i don't loose all that i have worked for! I'll email the flight itinerary to you as soon as i solve the shipment issue so you can have an idea of my arrival time. Hope all this information helps?
Thanks for being there for me and waiting for me !
Helen.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
All of this information was too weird. Nothing made sense except for Kiev is in Ukraine. The street is not in Ukraine and the name Odens Martins comes up with nothing on Google.
Again, I'm not too sure what I need to do now (besides obviously not cashing the check). Thanks. Hope this helps someone else.
One other note: I am familiar with foreign exchange students and Fullbright scholars, so I was used to e-mails that had odd/poor English grammar. I also felt very sympathetic to foreign students because I knew a decent amount and have seen them struggle with cultural differences, so I really wanted to try help this person move over here smoothly. I was also very interested in renting the room. I am really surprised the depths they went to create this persona. (I received a seemingly sincere Christmas message on the 25th). Judging by the amount of people registered it seems I am not the only person that has been deceived. At least it didn't cost me any money. Just time.
Dear XXXX,
I'll be so glad if you can reserve the room for me and i really appreciate the breakdown details of the house, more about me from Alaska (Anchorage) USA, a quiet,clean,honest,responsible and easy going person to live with, I'm 5"7',straight, 24 years of age. I dont drink nor smoke but i'm cool living with people that do. I love to go on date but seldomly party, I swim for fun and sometimes play long tennis. i lives here with my Uncle here in Alaska,my Dad died when i was young ,roommie i want you to know that i have no friends in the area except you for now lol. I speak English and French fluently..I am currently working on a research pertaining to my course work in culture and tourism.... I hope to end my current assignment by the end of this month here in Alaska and focus on my new assingment to your States..
I will like to make a payment of $600 and reserve the room for me before my arrival, and then i will make subsequent payment thereafter as i plan to stay for more than 6months. So i'll client to see you'll get the payment prior to my arriving date.....
To be honest with you i really like the kind of person you are from your little description and if you have the picture of the bedroom available, kindly forward it to my mailbox. I am really okay with the place....
I am planning to arrive before the end of next month so i will love to know if i can make the payment ahead of my arrival via business Cheque,money order or personnal Cheque,so you will get the payment by next week and i can go ahead making arrangement for sending the payment to you, also i will much apprecaite if you can mail your information like,your mailing address ,your full name,your contact number as to appear on the payment. I will like to ship in my car,luggage,laptop and other materials for my research ahead of my arrival...
I will also like you to remove the advert from the site b'cos i am ready to have your place rented.....
Hope to read from you soon.
Helen.
Dear XXXX,
I really appreciate the reply ,I am okay with the price for rent, i'm trying to get everything set up as soon as i can cause i don't have much time to spend here again..am comfortable with the cost of the room and its quite reasonable and affordable. So i have discuss about the room payment to my uncle and he promise to make it up to you as soon as he have the necessary information that he will need to get the payment across to you.The check will be mail out to you via USPS regular mail delivery service and you will get it in couple of days.
All you have to do now in order to get the payment to you is to provide the below information.
(1)your full name. So that the check can be made payable to you.
(2)your contact address. In order to mail the check to you.
(3)your phone #. You can be reach in case of emergency.
The check will get to you as soon as possible so that i can secure the place prior to my arrival..
Waiting for your responce.Take care of yourself and have a pleasant day
I would have preferd to give you a calls since all this while,but i'm facing a little problem with my cell phone now,so i was planning to buy another phone when i arrive to the state. please kindly bear with me..
Helen.
Dear XXXX,
I really appreciate giving me the room as a potential roommate and the information provided,i consider the money i would have waste if i don't get a place down before my arrival to the state...
Right now i have told my uncle about you and he agree with me and really wish to know more about you and talk to you too,so i'll appreciate if you could forward your contact number to me and he will ring you very soon,okay?
He also told me to ask if you can help me out because now he is the only one that i lookup to {breadwinner}since i loss my parents years back and he wanted to make sure that everything go well for me, he will be sending the payment for the room to you by next week and he will include my shipping fee with your rent fee and you can paid my shipper at the point of there delivery of my stuffs to my future home,as he will be helping me out with the shipping of my car, luggage,furniture and my computer that i will be bringing in for the research prior to my arrival.
He want to know how trusting you are,so he said that if you agree,he will make sure he get the payment to you by next week,okay? I really like the kind of person you are and i'll really love making a roomie together with you and i'll really appreciate if you could aslo pick me up at the ariport when i arrive to the state and i'll send my flight schedule to you as soon as it is avaialble...Thanks, can't wait to see your beautiful face soon.
Hope to read from you soonest,
Kindest Regards.
Helen.
Dear XXXX,
How are you doing?Guess you are enjoying the present condition of the wonderful day?Anyway am really sorry for not emailing you since.. It's my great pleasure to inform you that the payment had been mailed out to you via regularmail today in the name and address you provided for me it's take 3 to 5 working days before you can receive it in your mailbox,i want you to please bear with me as i'm already commited and have much interest in you and the room.I will not give any chance to loose the room..
Please i will want you to please help me arrange the room and hope you did not forget that the money for my shippers as also been included and my things will be shipped over as soon as you get the money..Also i like to inform you that my travelling document has been taken for endorsement.I will let you know as soon as it made available so that you will know my flight schedule...Moreso,i'll appreciate if you can get back to me with the nearest airport (close to your place).And if you will be around to pick me up at the airport or not .
Please am really sorry once again for not emailing you...
Wating to read from you soon and my regards to your family..
Your sincerely
Helen.
Dear XXXX,
How are you doing?I'm sending across these message to wish you Merry christmas,I hope you have a wonderful christmas of your roomie.The payment will mail to you very soon,you are going to get it this week.
I'm anxious to meet you soon
Thanks alot.
Regards.
Helen.
Dear XXXX,
How're you doing today?Guess fine,I must confess that i love the person that you are from the email and that is why i love to live with you,Anyway i need to let you know that you will be getting the payment on monday unfailingly,please dont mad me XXXX,.just keep intouch with me till you receive the payment on monday as you can understand that your update give me the rest of mind,I would have preferd to give you a calls since all this while,but i'm facing a little problem with my cell phone now,so i was planning to buy another phone when i arrive to the state. please kindly bear with me
Thanks for being there for me
Helen.
Dear XXXXX,
How are you doing?I just want let you know that you will be getting the payment at anytime from now as it's was sent via regularmail service,please make sure you keep eye on your mailbox and as soon as you recieve it,do not hesitate to email me as soon as possible..so that we can plan on how my stuff is going to be shipped to my lovly room.
Thanks and have a wonderful day.
Warmest regards,
Helen.
Dear XXXX,
The payment was sent on the 20th of Dec,its my uncle boss sent the payment to you,Please i dont want you to get mad at me for the delay caused by me and
miscommunications my uncle i've been sick,I have everything set up now for my arrival and i spoke with Reguilar mail and i was told that the payment will be delievered,
Helen.
From: XXXXXXXX>
Subject: A check arrived!
To: "Helen Slater" <[email protected]>
Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 9:35 PM
Hi Helen,
I received a check in the mail today. It had no information with it. No return address. The check was also dated 12/29/11. It was from a company that is not located in Alaska.
Please be honest and open with me.
If this is your check, what is the amount it was made for?
Which company sent it and from where was it sent.
You mentioned you uncle's boss previously. Where does your uncle work?
The room is yours, but I need some more answers. I expected a small note indicating that you or someone connected to you sent it, but it's just very mysterious. This is all very weird to me.
I put the ad back up, but the room is yours if you can tell me more about the check and your situation.
Please respond to this message as soon as possible.
XXXXX
Hi XXXXX,
I really appreciate your care and concern,am happy to hear that you've received the payment.Yes that's my payment. It was mailed from Illinois.
MORTGAGE INVESTORS CORPORATION
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
6090 CENTRAL AVE,
ST, PETERSBURG,FL 33707
FIFTH THIRD BANK
FLORENCE,KENTUCKY
DATE TO BE WRITTEN ON CHECK : 12 / 29 /2011
$2,985.75
Thanks for your patient and honesty..I just contact to my shipping company operation manager that my car,luggage's,computer and other few things should be moved immediately.But i was told that they will have to get their service fee before delivering stuffs and luggage's into my future home which is your place cause there payment policy had been changed. And they also assure me immediately after they receive their service fee the shipping logistics will take effect.
Right now I will implore you to please go and deposit the payment at your bank and take out the rent fee and ask them to give you part payment $2,350 from the money so that you can send it to them and they can ship my things to my room before i arrived.
Please i will be so glad if you can do this for me, kindly get back to me so that i will get back to you with the information you will be sending the money to via Western Union Money Transfer i.e(Name and there address ).
Meanwhile, i will be going for my traveling document asap.And as soon as i get that, i will forward the whole flight schedule to you so that you will know my arrival date and time so you can come over to pick me up at the Airport.
Sincerely,
Helen.
Subject: RE: Yes,that's my Check!
To: "Helen Slater" <[email protected]>
Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 11:29 PM
OK, great to hear from you. Thank you for finally giving me some information. Now I need more information.
I don't want to be responsible for your possessions. I agreed to pick you up at the airport, but this is getting to be more work than I would like. Mostly because of your vagueness.
Why didn't you send money to the company that is handling your move? This doesn't make sense. Why didn't you send a check to me and a check to the company? Please tell me the name of the company hat will be shipping your car and belongings.
Who do send the money to? Will $2,350 be enough? There will be $35.75 after I take out for rent and the deposit. I will use that for Western Union fees.
What is a traveling document? Are you talking about a passport? What day do you think you will be here?
Are you in Alaska now?
Please answer these questions. This is frustrating.
Thank you,
XXXX
Dear XXXXX,
Thanks so much for the concern i really appreciate you,i told you in my previous correspondence that my cell phone is not in a good working condition,am planning to purchase a new one when i arrive to your place. This is a big move for me and am overwhelmed with eagerness to arrive to your place,thanks accepting to pick me up from the airport when i arrive. Concerning my stuffs delivery,my shipping agents are very competent and reliable,all i want from you is to help me in sending their service charges to them via western union money so my stuffs delivery can take effect,cash payment via western union money transfer is their payment method cause their payment policy has been changed. My shippers will contact you after receiving the fund so you can schedule a convenient time for the delivery,they will move in my stuffs by themselves,all you have to do is just to be around when they arrive.
I'll urge you to get the money across to my shippers in order to avoid further delay towards my arrival and besides my shippers always move around from one place to the other to pick up and deliver merchandise for their clients,I told my shippers that you will be sending the money today .The amount to send is $2,350 ( Transfer charges included).
And to make the delivery of my things fast and for me not to loose much money,he told me that i should make sure that i get the money sent to him at where they are now for merchandise delivery. So just write down the shippers info below and locate a Western Union Store ( you can do that by logging onto http://www.westernunion.com and find agent location around you ) and get the information below written down as the info below is what you will be needing at the Western Union location...and go there with cash as the money will be sent electronically.
The shipper's info needed at the Western Union location is below :
Shipper's Name ....... ODENS MARTINS
Address........4 Gaiva street
City..........Kiev
Zip code.........90665
Country.......Ukraine
Please as soon as you get it sent ,Kindly make sure that you email me the sending information's such as the :
1. 10 Digit MTCN Reference.
2. Sender's full name and address.
3. Total money sent.
Please make sure that You get this done asap so that i don't loose all that i have worked for! I'll email the flight itinerary to you as soon as i solve the shipment issue so you can have an idea of my arrival time. Hope all this information helps?
Thanks for being there for me and waiting for me !
Helen.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
All of this information was too weird. Nothing made sense except for Kiev is in Ukraine. The street is not in Ukraine and the name Odens Martins comes up with nothing on Google.
Again, I'm not too sure what I need to do now (besides obviously not cashing the check). Thanks. Hope this helps someone else.