Rental Scammer - [email protected]

From: [email protected]

"Greetings!

Thanks for your email. The house is still available. I decided to rent the house because we are going to spend more time here in West Africa, about 4 years... Let me start by introducing myself.I must confess that I am very very new in this landlord business.. However, My name is Alexandria C Gallagher. I own the house located at (52 Ossamequin Road, Billerica MA 01821). Due to my job as a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church International, I am presently serving as Area Financial Executive (AFE) with the United Methodist Church in Lagos, West Africa.I am responsible for receiving distribution of funds for various UMC projects in West Africa , and all related works with other mission personnel. my current home is in the vineyard of the Lord in BENIN West Africa.I spent 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, the initial plan was to sale out the House. which I tried, but sometimes the agents inflates the prize and it takes longer to sell. because of this reason and more we need a responsible person (With good credit) that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money , but want it to be clean and for you to take it as if it were yours.you can rich me at my cell phone number at any time +23470-4259-2254.

The rent is $800 and 700 for Security Deposit For this 3Bedroom,2Bath Features: Air Conditioning, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Garage, Washer & Dryer, Yard

LEASE APPLICATION FORM FULL CONTACT NAME? OCCUPATION? RESIDENTIAL HOME ADDRESS? YOUR CELLPHONE NUMBER? YOUR HOME PHONE NUMBER? YOUR WORKPLACE NUMBER? WHAT TIME IS THE` BEST TIME TO REACH YOU? AGE & MARITAL STATUS? OWN A PET? OWN A CAR? HOW MANY PEOPLE SHALL RESIDE IN THE PREMISES? ANTICIPATED MOVE IN DATE? HOW SOON CAN YOU HAVE THE SECURITY DEPOSIT FEE FOR THE KEYS TO BE SENT TO YOU ASAP? REFERENCE? ============================== ======= Application Comment ============================== =======

Please make sure this questions are fill correctly because the best way you answer with your comment will impress me the more to accept your applications. Regards. Alexandria C Gallagher."

This person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union, MoneyGram or bank transfer with a promise that you can have the keys to a property that does not belong to him.

Sounds safe. It's not!

At other times, he will ask 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 to a lawyer,a friend or family member.

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.

I just received an email with the same message only the address and the name is different. First time looking for a house to rent but the second I read more information about the person than just their name, I got suspicious. Searched for the phone number and found this site. In my case, the person used the actual name of the owner of the home, which is up for sale.

The email used had nothing to do with the person's "name": [email protected]

I sure hope no one has actually fallen for these scams but I'm guessing some have seeing that scammers are taking the time to do this.

This is the same email i recieved inquiring on a house in Evansville Indiana. Everything is the same except the email and the persons name. This is unreal that people would do this to someone oor try to atleast.

I'm actually still leading this scammer on, making it seem like I'm still an interested renter. He had just ask for the payment to be sent through Western Union. Trying to come up with a way to really piss him off. Yes, I'm bored

I'm not sure how Western Union works since I've never used it before but here's the address my scammer sent me to send him the money:

Receiver's Name: Thomas Hartwig
Address : 101 teju close
City:Ikeja
State:Lagos
Country: Nigeria
Zip code: 23401

I know his name isn't Thomas Hartwig and I'm assuming that Western Union normally asks for some form of identification to release the money to the recipient. So how will this guy be able to get the money? Does he likely have someone within the WU office who's in on the scam?

These 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 may find this BBC news report and video of interest.... it shows how a similar Room for Rent scam works..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/art ... ture.shtml

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOGAxUqHxsE