Is this a scam?

I was always told that if things are too good to be true, they probably are!
Here is the ad I replied to; http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/yrk/apa/3362169296.html

Here are some of his email replies;

This beautiful apartment is located in a lovely area ( Queen Street at Prospect - Newmarket ), excellent location! The apartment is full furnished, everything is new inside, so please understand me! Due to the high number of thefts from homes, I am very cautious and will not give you this information over email.


You know that the apartment is not inhabited.


Please do not get me wrong!


I will try explain to you step by step how this will work, take a few moments and read my emails carefully!


* The utility bills will be redirected to me in Denmark.
* If something will broke down now, you are responsible. The cost of repair will be deducted from your rent.
* I would like to receive the money monthly into my bank account and I hope there will be no problem for you to wire the money to it.



In order to check the apartment, see if you like it ( I'm sure that you'll love it ), you need to receive the keys and the contract:


Step # 1.

I need to know your shipping information:

* First name
* Last name
* Address
* City
* Postal code


Step # 2.

With the information you'll provide me, I will go at GLS Express (Global Logistic Solutions) office ( www.GLS-Group.eu ) and leave the keys and the contract in their possession and start the process. The delivery time will be 48 hours and the keys will be delivered at your address. The shipping will be done by GLS Air Express.


I used this company many times, and find they are helpful, polite, efficient and on time. I never had a problem, everything went well when I moved here. GLS Express are the best by miles. When they say they will deliver a parcel on whatever date or time, it is delivered!


GLS Express is a worldwide delivery company - the largest independent parcels, mail and logistics services company within the Denmark, delivering mail, parcels and pallets. A leading operator in the Denmark express parcels sector, GLS offers a range of specialist solutions and services. In 2009 it was voted one of the Sunday Times’ 10 Best Companies to Work for.



Their department will check the package to see if everything is in order and also the legal papers that will come along with the keys and proof of ownership. If everything is in order, they will start the transaction and notify you with all you need to know regarding it (proof of delivery, payment instruction, my account status, etc).


Here are the contents that will be delivered to you via GLS Express:

* Entrance and the rooms keys;
* Paper/permanent flat form (Containing your reference details);
* The flat documented file;
* Payment receipts;
* Full address and description of the apartment.

And;

This is step # 3.



Please note!!!


I give the possibility and chance to move in this apartment now or at the right time required by you and inspect the apartment 2 days and decide either you keep it or not. If you are interested you can secure the apartment now and move in it later, the lease will start from when you move in the apartment.


You will see it and decide if you will stay in the house or not before I receive the payment... This transaction is secure for both of us, because you'll not send me any money in advance, and on the other hand I have the insurance that you are a serious tenant - Global Logistic Solutions is a big name in third-party logistics - I accept payment though GLS Express, you are protected as a customer, the funds will remain in their custody until the keys are delivered and the apartment is inspected.



The agent will bring the keys in front of your door and then you have 2 days to go and look at it and decide if i want to keep it. If you decide to keep it, the GLS team will release me the funds, if you don`t find it exactly as described, you only have to return the keys to them, they will refund the money to you and the keys back to me, on my expense! You will get the money back the same day!



You will only have to deposit to GLS Express a safety deposit ( $820.00 ), they will be the payment for the first month of rent, so they can proceed with the shipping, and you can receive the keys and the contract. I will not receive this deposit, the payment details will be unavailable to me, I will get the payment only if you decide to rent the apartment.


Basically the money will be sent to them and they will keep the money until you will receive the keys and the contract and only after you will inspect the apartment they will forward the money to me.


This way we will have 100% protection!



If you agree with the rental conditions, we can get things started. I will complete the transaction ASAP. This way I will also reserve the apartment for you and refuse other offers.


And;

I want to take this opportunity to assure you that there is nothing to be worried about this deal. I have a reputation to protect and a good Christian and I do not want to be imprisoned.


You have my word and good faith on the fact that I’ll keep my end of the bargain.


I'm here to waste anyone's time. I am a very sincere and honest person. I don't have time to play games with other people.

First time renter, and this is for myself and my daughter, so I am incredibly wary

Thanks for any and all help!

This is 100% scam, RhaegarT and well used, although the scammer has changed his wording slightly.
You can see an older example in this link: viewtopic.php?f=39&t=50879 . If you read it through, you can see the similarities.

Please flag the advert as "prohibited", as I have done and also please tell us the email address the scammer used on this occasion as it will help others.
Thanks.

[email protected] is the email, going by the name Brandon W Collins. I figured it was too good to be true...


...Thanks for the help

Re: $620 / 1br - 607ft² - cozy, clean apartment w'balcony (Whitby)
Collins W
[email protected]
Nice to meet you!


I would like to tell you a little bit about me and my family, I want to give you some insight into who I am.


I'm currently 43 years old and married. I'm very career focused and will be spending a lot of my time at the office. I work hard for my family. I'm a mature individual, very sincere, respectable and love friending new people. I'm a caring person who believes in taking good care of things!
My wife is doctor, her name is Abbie ( she is from Denmark ) and have one daughter, Chloe, that is 3 years old.


I resided in this apartment with my family, I lived in it for over 4 years, loved every day of it, until 3 months ago when I got the opportunity to open a franchise ( a small business ) in Copenhagen, Denmark. We've tried to develop a family business, but unfortunately the things didn't work the way we've expected and now I am at one step from losing my market.
I had all my family moved here, I like it there but think it's a better market here in Copenhagen, I want to start a new life, in 6/7 years I will decide if I will keep it, and get back in town or if I will sell it and move forever in Denmark, you never know!



This is the second time I tried to rent the apartment, I had a deal with somebody before who said he will rent the apartment if I come back... So I got a plane ticket, and guess what!? When I arrived there, he didn't show up and after 2 days he gave me a call and said that he is sorry but he can't rent it anymore, because he has no money.
It was unfortunate that my past bitter experience of inviting people to come and view my flat without any form of confirmation of their financial ability and not keeping up to time as at when scheduled, has brought about great loss to me.
So don't get me wrong and don't take it personally, but now I don't want to buy another plane ticket to come and fall for it once more... maybe you won't show up. I'm sick of tire-kickers, people who are just looking around and not serious about renting, so please don't waste my time... No offence!
We can set up an appointment to see the apartment... You can have the keys in hand in less than 48 hours. I found a way to complete the deal safe and fast for the two of us. This is a 100% safe method and you will have the chance to inspect it before final decision.
If you are interested in it mail me back and I am sure that we will find a good way to conduct this deal.

Respectfully,
Collins

Oh yes Cleobee it's a scam.The next thing will be a deposit for keys and a Fake Paypal Message resulting in a request for a Western Union payment.Of course send nothing and just vanish leaving scammer stuck for words.

I have also recieved these e-mails from ads on kijiji that also look to be scams:

Andre McLaughin
[email protected]
I must confess that I am very very new in this landlord business. However, My name is Andre McLaughin,I own the apartment located at (26 King St E, Oshawa, ON L1H 1A9). Due to my job as a missionary worker, I spent less time in Canada 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 Ukraine that I decided to rent out the apartment and i will be here for (3-4 years).. However,the initial plan was to sale out the house.which I tried, but some times the agents inflates the price and it takes longer to sell i am telling you this in case if you find the house on another website,that is the old advert. because of this reason and more we need rental agreement with 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 of it as if it were yours The rent is $500 and $250 for Security Deposit For this 1BR/1BAth/. Air Conditioner Dishwasher Walk-in Closet Refrigerator Vaulted Ceilings Washer/Dryer Cable etc...

RENTAL 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?
REFERENCE?
HOW SOON CAN YOU MAKE THE SECURITY PAYMENT?
============================== =======
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.I know you would want to see the house before making any kind of rental payment ,which is understandable.We can make arrangement for the keys and documentation including an Authorization letter to be shipped to you,this will give you the opportunity to view house.

Regards
Andre McLaughin
--------------------------------------------------
James Starks
[email protected]
Hello,
Thanks for your interest in my apartment. I am a Geologist and my work can be quite tedious because it involves mineral researches, I'm easy going and friendly. I like Music and have deep interests in travelling. I respect every religion and love to hang around with people and I am definitely not a trouble maker and very helpful in nature. I am currently living in ohio due to my new research and I will be here for long that is why am looking for a clean and responsible person to live in my apartment. The apartment is located at:121 Elgin St W | Oshawa, ON L1G1S5.Type of apartment: Its a spacious and lovely 1-bedroom fully furnished apartment with the kitchen well equipped with (Microwave oven, Dish washer, Blender, Cocktail mixer, Sandwich maker and Gas cooker e.t.c), all utilities included such as Cable and Internet e.t.
Rental fees : $550 Per month including utilities
Damage deposit : $550 Refundable
The rent is made very affordable because I am seriously looking for a clean and reliable person to take care of the apartment. I am not after the money, what I am after is the welfare of my apartment. I will like you to drive by to the address today to view the exterior of the building for you to get a better view of the building and also see what the neighborhood looks like and get back to me so that I can forward you the full interior pictures to you to have an idea how beautiful and spacious the inside looks and we can proceed to the application form

I look forward to hearing from you
Regards


This is the third time in 2 days that I have replied to kijiji ads that are scams.... how frustrating it is to find an apartment when they're all scams!

The first writing looks like that of a West African. The second I'm not so sure, but it fits the description of a scam script, and the writer is not an educated English-speaker of Ohio or Ontario.

The second is definitely a scam too due to certain phrase use. I am a geologist and the words do not ring true, but you need to be one to know, dull it isn't! I also see a completely wrong job description there but not telling Mr Mugu what that is. He can't spell the rather long word M*************.

I decided to reply to the e-mails and giving them ridiculous information to see if they would even reply. I told them I had three dogs and also that three people would be living in their 1 bedroom apartment. That I was unemployed and had no references...... and of course they responded back saying that was all fine as long as I sent them $ via money gram.
Absolutely ridiculous!

Just wanted to add on to the board. We got an email from the same guy this morning. It looks like he is evolving his pitch. It also looks like he changed a few things, including his first name. Ha! This is the posting http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/yrk/apa/3375075075.html . I reported it to Craigslist as a scam this morning but they haven't taken it down yet. That is a bit worrying.

Here is the email we received:

Collins W [ [email protected] ]

Hello!

I appreciate your interest!

The offer is still available. Don't miss out on this opportunity! I think $840.00 is a good deal!

Please check your attached file, I attached a few pictures of it, just so you can have a good idea of what the place looks like.

The apartment has just been renovated, it looks exactly like in the pictures, totally finished, fully furnished and I have the option of sending all my furniture into storage if you want to bring your own, no extra costs!

It comes with 2 parking spots and has all the facilities and the utilities:
- Washing machine, dishwasher, dryer, refrigerator, stove, oven, juice machine, iron, toaster, coffee maker, microwave, vacuum cleaner.

The all utilities are included in this price (rent/month). No extra fees!
It means:
- Water, sewer, trash, electricity, gas, cable and Internet.

It is very close, in walking distance to local transport, close to school, restaurants, and shopping, with very quiet neighbors and safe area!

The lease is flexible, can be month to month, min stay 3 months, max 7 years. The rent for 1 month is $840.00, for the entire apartment. The price will not increase monthly, it will remain the same for the whole period that the contract will be signed for.

I'm the owner of it, I love this apartment and it means a lot to me! You must understand, I'm not looking to make a business or a profit with it, I just want to find the proper tenant, someone who will treat and care my apartment like it was his own. It is unoccupied, clean, quiet and if you are really interested in this apartment, I want this rental to be as smooth as possible, I really need to take care of this matter by the end of the next week.

I just need your answer and I will send you more details ASAP.

Thanks for your interest!

William Collins