Rental Scammer - [email protected]

Yet another one of these, this time from the Maryland area right next to DC (Glen Echo). The transcript of the emails I exchanged are below. Any time someone says they're fighting AIDS/HIV in Africa, a red flag goes up for me.

My email responding to CL post

Re: $800 / 2br - Single-Family Home (Bethesda MD )

Jan 23 (2 days ago)

to homesrentals72
I'm looking for a rental at the end of the Spring when my current lease is up. This looks perfect for my needs. Can you send more photos?

Thanks,

--------

Their response, including pictures of some poor dude this guy was posing as (links at the end of the email)

Homes Rentals
Jan 23 (1 day ago)

to me
Hello

Thanks for your interest and inquiries about my house. Yes the house is still available for rent and we are looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the house now that we are not around. My wife and i just moved to West Africa for a program called FAMILY LIFE AND HIV EDUCATION AND THE HIV PREVENTION FOR RURAL YOUTH PROGRAM, the program is taking place in three major countries in Europe, Africa, UK . We will be away for 2 to 3 years or more that is why I have made up my mind to put up my house for rent to whom ever that will take good care of it.
Also how long do you intend to stay? How soon do you intend to move in?
FEATURES : Laundry, Electric Range, Electric Heat, Master Bedroom, Playground, Car Park.AMENITIES: Air Conditioning, Patio/Party Deck, Cable TV, Ceiling Fans, 24 hours Internet service, Dishwasher, Firepit, Garbage Disposal, Microwave, security alarm, Pets Friendly, Refrigerator, Washer / Dryer.

DETAILS ABOUT THE HOUSE..
Number of bedrooms:2
Number of bathrooms:2

Rental price: $800 per month and security Deposit is $700(Security Deposit is Refundable) Utilities included in monthly rent
Pets Welcome.
Below is the address to the house: 5913 Carlton Lane, Bethesda MD 20816

Get back to me so i can forward you the rent questionnaire i would want you to fill out.

Regards
Richard P Hecker.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQ_wRvnOQsw/T ... C00915.JPG
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQ_wRvnOQsw/T ... C00998.JPG

My followup

9:00 AM (5 hours ago)

to Homes
My time frame would be to move in late May. I'm not sure if that's a possibility for you. I'm finishing up my Master's degree so I can't move any earlier than that. My intent would be to stay for at least a year until I can find more permanent housing.

Thanks,

--------

Finally, they want me to give them information (not gonna happen)

On Tue, Jan 24, 2012 at 2:27 PM, Homes Rentals <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello jonathan,
Thanks for the pleasant response.My wife and i believe in all what you have said and it seems that we have found a responsible tenant.Moving in by May is no problem,all you have to do is to fill out the application,and if you are accepted,you secure the house prior your move in.
Below is the rent application form,get it filled and sent back to me so that we can proceed further.

********RENT APPLICATION FORM**********

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.
FIRST NAME:__________?
MIDDLE NAME:__________?
LAST NAME:__________?
SEX:__________?
DATE OF BIRTH:_________?
PROFESSION:__________?
PHONE:
(CELL)PHONE__________?
(WORK)PHONE__________?
(HOME)PHONE__________?
WHICH
NUMBER IS THE BEST TO CALL YOU ON__________?
MARITAL STATUS:__________?
KIDS _____ (YES/NO), HOW MANY ________
PRESENT ADDRESS: _____________________
CITY: _______________
STATE:______________
ZIP CODE: ____________
HOW LONG? ___________IF RENTING
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING__________?
IF THIS HOUSE IS BEING GIVEN TO YOU,
HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING? ____________?
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN? ______________?
DO YOU AGREE TO PAY THE DEPOSIT BEFORE YOU MOVE IN? _____________?
IF YOU HAVE A PET,
KIND OF PETS: _____________?
HABITS
DO YOU SMOKE ______________ ?
DO YOU DRINK ______________?
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT? ____?
Have a wonderful day ahead and give me a call.
Richard P Hecker.
+2348039404739.

End transcript

He offers a phone number, but it's international. Not easily accomplished. Also, he would not provide more photos of the property like I originally asked. I google street viewed the address and the home appears to be occupied - several new-ish cars are in the driveway, no for rent sign in the vicinity, and in an area where $800 per month won't even get you a one bedroom apartment or studio. Needles to say, posted this stuff here and flagged the CL post.

OH forgot to mention, my name isn't Jonathan. If they're going to scam me, at least get my name right!

I just got the same email this morning.I'm so happy I checked this site


Hello
I can see you are interested in the ad I have pasted,our names are Gena West. Myself and wife just traveled to West Africa for a program called FAMILY LIFE AND HIV EDUCATION AND THE HIV PREVENTION FOR RURAL YOUTH PROGRAM, the program is taking place in three major countries in Europe, Africa, UK . We will be away for 2 to 3 years or more that is why I have made up my mind to put up my house for rent to whom ever that will take good care of it. I spend less time in the States so I could not get a hold on any Realtor to handle this rent issue, although it was when I knew how long we are going to stay in Africa that I decided to rent out the house. However, my initial plan was to sell the house but it was not successful because the Realtor raised the price which made it difficult for me to sell before leaving the States so never mind if you see the for sale sign in front of the house, It has already been taken off the market as for sale so there is no need to contact any Realtor.In case if you find the house on another website, that is the old advert So I need a tenant to take care of it but since I am out of the state now,I have received some proposals regarding the rent because it is located in a very nice area of Plainfield, but I still have to make sure it is rented out to someone who can take good care of it. It includes facilities such as water and heat laundry facilities,air condition,internet and telephone access and a car park and other necessary facilities,also comes with trash collection,pets are allowed as well as long as they are not destructive. so if you know you are capable of the task,get back to me so that I can provide you with some questions that I would want you to answer.below is the location.

FEATURES : Laundry, Electric Range, Electric Heat, Master Bedroom, Playground, Car Park.


AMENITIES: Air Conditioning, Patio/Party Deck, Cable TV, Ceiling Fans, 24 hours Internet service, Dishwasher, Firepit, Garbage Disposal, Microwave, security alarm, Pets Friendly, Refrigerator, Washer / Dryer.


DETAILS ABOUT THE HOUSE
Number of bedrooms:3
Number of bathrooms:2
Rental price: $300 per month and security Deposit is $600(Security Deposit is Refundable) Utilities included in monthly rent
Pets Welcome.
Below is the address to the house:
611 Pemberton Avenue #13, Plainfield NJ 07060.

[email protected] last seen writing from:-

IP Address Quick Report
IP Address: 41.203.64.129
Organization: Globacom Ltd
City: Lagos
Country of Origin: Nigeria
* For a complete report on this IP address goto ipTRACKERonline

Homes Rentals ? [email protected]
to Michelle Banks


Good morning Michelle,

Here is the Western Union Information

Receivers name : Richard Hecker
Receivers Address: # 37 St Stephen street
City: Isolo
State: Lagos
Country: Nigeria
Zip code: 23401
Secret Question: In God?
Secret Answer : We trust.

As soon as you have make your payment, I want you to email me back with this required information.

(Mtcn#)
(Sender's Full Name and Full Address)
(Address where you want the package to be delivered)


Await your mail as soon as possible,thanks remain blessed

Richard Hecker.
+2348039404739.