by Michelle
Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:43 pm
From: Cute Home <[email protected]>;
Responded to an Ad on Craiglist, http://sacramento.craigslist.org/apa/2821913252.html
Dear Friend,
Yes my house is still available for rent at $680 monthly, we request first month deposit and security fee of $620 before move in, you can go check it out at address below, and if you like it you can write us back or call me for more details on +2347044001460 or 0112347044001460 We just move down to Lagos, Am a Medical Doctor, I work for American Red Cross Lutheran Hospital Donor Center. I just want you to get notice that the keys are here with me in Lagos, you can only view the house from the outside for now! In other to proceed on sending the keys and document to you, I'll like to know few things about you and your family such as below:-
2 Bedroom 2 Bathrooms
Address: 2418 26th Street
City: Sacramento
State: CA
Zip code: 95818
Pet Allowed
Included in the Rent: Dishwasher, Garbage pickup, Gas, Water, Electric, Washer and Dryer.
1. Your Name and Names of people moving in with you?
2. Age and sex of each person?
3. Your current house address / Cell number / home number?
4. What is the best time to call and why relocating?
5. Length of previous tenancy and occupation of each person?
6. Do you have pets and cars, how many?
7. Do you run a business from home, If so what kind of business?
8. When do you plan to move in, please write exact date?
9. How often do you do your current house cleaning?
10. Are you a section 8 applicant? Please describe Breed, size
11. Can we trust you and our house safe keeping in your hand?
12. Do you work late night and do you smoke and drink? (We just wanna know don't get it twisted) no hard feelings.
Please have this in mind that you are talking to a very nice and God fearing family, if you find any of our question inconvenience please don't be offended but answer it because we want and like to know the kind of family that will be living in our house from day one so nothing from them will be strange to us again.
Thank you and Stay Blessed.
Beck Christopher D & Shelli A
The thief will tell you that you can rent his accommodation only if you can prove that you have genuine interest. He will ask you send money by wire transfer (normally Western Union) to yourself or a member of the family to show that you have sufficient finances and that you are not a "time waster".
Another variation of this scam is that you need to send (by Western Union) money in order that the keys and other documents can be couriered to you
He will ask you to send him the transfer details.
Make no mistake ! Western Union Transfers can be picked up virtually anywhere in the world and with the minimum of identification. They are almost impossible to trace once the money has been collected. You will never get to see the accommodation or your money 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 Gumtree or similar listing sites. If you receive any requests from 'Landlords' asking for some kind of payment by Western Union 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.
