by tommie123
Sun Feb 12, 2012 5:16 am
Hello there, I am not sure if this is a scam. Please help me to find out...
I am looking for a room in Boston, but I am a stranger and therefore it is not possible for me to do visiting. I had this conversation via easyroommate:
First, the room description:
THen my request:
Her request, still via easyroommate:
My response:
So far, so good. But then a large email was sent and I got a bad feeling about it:
Then another large email was sent:
So what do you think? Thanks for your help..
The attached passport looks real.
I am looking for a room in Boston, but I am a stranger and therefore it is not possible for me to do visiting. I had this conversation via easyroommate:
First, the room description:
Preferred room and roommate description
I have an apartment located in Bolton in Massachusetts. The property is a walking distance to HAVARD UNIVERSITY and BOSTON MEDICAL CAMPUS CENTRE is also walking distance to metro station and is conveniently located near amazing restaurants & nightlife by a host of supermarket and restaurants,lots of them in walking distance.The lease is $700 per month which includes utilities and services like, fridge-freezer, oven, washing machine, dryer, gas cooker,micro-wave, dishwasher,electricity bill, internet charges and others,and $700 for the security deposit which is refundable during the departure time from the room
THen my request:
Hello Nilce,
I'm Thomas, 26 years old from Germany. Going to write my master thesis at the MIT AgeLab. For this time (9 months) I am looking for a place to stay! I am very interested in your room and would be happy hearing from you. I hope that you accept students from MIT as well, because the room is nearer to harvard..
If you would like to know more about me, just ask!
All the best,
Thomas
Her request, still via easyroommate:
Yes, i will accept you,the room is still available for rent in Boston, MA, you can contact me for more details on pictures of the apartment via my private e-mail {[email protected]} hope to hear from you soon.
My response:
Hello again,
thanks for replying so fast. It would be nice if you could send me some pictures of the apartment. When would be the date that I can move in, is it flexible?
Thomas
So far, so good. But then a large email was sent and I got a bad feeling about it:
The apartment is located in Bolton in Massachusetts. The property is a
walking distance to HAVARD UNIVERSITY and BOSTON MEDICAL CAMPUS CENTRE
is also walking distance to nearest metro station the room is furnished,
marble bathroom, the living room and bedroom are spacious and art fully
decorated while retaining the original charm and character. The living
room has beautiful re finished hardwood floors and hosts a Stereo CD
System, LCD TV, DVD, and Cable. DSL WIFI High Speed wireless is setup
for internet use.The dining table accommodates 4 persons. The kitchen is fully equipped with a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, 4 element
stove, toaster, coffee/tea maker, plus cookware.The bathroom is equipped with all new amenities with modern elegant features. It features a
bathtub/shower, toilet, sink, towel warmer, washer, hairdryer plus
luxurious towels. There is a large closet near the door entry for
storage of luggage and large items. The apartment is equipped with fresh linens, blankets, duvets and pillows.
The location is XXX Massachusetts Avenue Boston, MA 02118, USA
The lease
is $700 per month and additional $700 for Security deposit, which is
refundable during your departure. And you are entitles to all the
utilities and services like water,heat oven, elevator, washing machine,
dryer, gas cooker,micro-wave, dishwasher,internet charges,electricity
bill and others. I am confidently assuring you that you will be more
than satisfied when you come into the flat.
You will see the attached pictures of the room above.Let me hear from you asap if you really have interest in renting the room.
Nilce.
Nilce - The apartment looks really nice, I have strong interest in renting the room. The location is perfect for my stay at the MIT and I would be happy to get the room.
I have two more questions: Is there a desk where I can put my laptop? When is the room available? I would prefer renting the room from the middle of march if it is possible, because my flight is just then..
Then another large email was sent:
Thanks for the reply, I work as a building engineer and i must tell you that am a very busy person, i leave home for work as early as 7:30am and return at 10:30 pm at night, because presently am working on a site project, never mind i can reserve the room for you till your arrival date since there is a perfect procedure that we both have to undergo before you can proceed with the payment. i live alone in the apartment for now, though i use to share the apartment with my sister before she got married and relocate to another state here in United State. Am renting the apartment out because its vacant and i need a reliable and honest person to be able to share affairs together with if am at home.
The lease is $700 per month as i earlier wrote in my previous message and additional $700 for Security deposit which is refundable during your departure. And you are entitles to all the utilities and services like water, heat oven,elevator washing machine, dryer, gas cooker,micro-wave, dishwasher,internet charges,electricity bill and others. The minimum rental is one month,then as much as you want.
My flat address is below so you can check it on map Google.
The exact address is : XXX Massachusetts Avenue Boston, MA 02118, USA
My international passport has been attached for you to see the exactly person that you are dealing with and to known that you are not transacting with wrong person.i will want you to provide some information for me if you want to rent this room, i will need your exact arrival date and your departure date, also i ll need your current address so that if it warrant to forward the key to the room or any document to you before you come in, i will also like you to get me a copy of your scanned passport photograph to assure your identification or if you don't have you can scan a photo of you to let me know who am dealing with,your full name is very important also when our lawyer wants to prepare your lease agreement document.
Finally, you are meant to pay the owner of the apartment who is my sister the first month rent and security deposit fee before the keys and other documents can be release to you, the payment is to be sent to her in her state via bank account transfer because is the most secured payment and we both need to protect each other, my sister is the rightful owner of the apartment and as far as she is married and not in my state, i have to rent out her room and make sure she gets her money. Am doing all these because the apartment is vacant and here is nobody to share and talk with. By doing this will allow me to reserve the room for you till you arrive and also i will need you provide your payment receipt as a reference that you have truly sent payment to her.
The signed contract agreement form will be attached to you first through mail for you to read and understand,after which you will proceed with the payment ,then i will now send you the original copy through a registered courier to your address for you to sign and bring along with you when you are moving in. Thanks for your understanding.
Nilce.
So what do you think? Thanks for your help..
The attached passport looks real.
