Rental Scammer - [email protected]

From: "Henry Colt" <[email protected]>
Date: Jan 24, 2013 11:11
Subject: Re: $1000 / 2br - beautiful 2 bedroom 2 bath condo in Snail (sunnyvale)
To: Con Warner


Hello,

Thanks for your interest in wanting to be my tenant. I am looking for a responsible & clean tenant that will be able to take good care of my house because I work as Research Associate in Molecular Imaging Research/Neurology and I do travel a lot, Presently I am in Los Angeles,CA for a research and I don't know when I will return back to the house that's why am looking for a responsible tenant who will live in the house and take care of it. The house is available for long term and short term lease is also accepted.

The house is located at: 705 San Conrado Ter #5, Sunnyvale CA 94085
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Square ft: 1078
Property type: Condo
Features: Laundry Facility, Pets Allowed

I want you to note that I am a kind and honest man and also I spent a lot on my property that I want to give you for rent, so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of the apartment and I would want you to treat it as your own, I would like you to keep it tidy all the time I also want you to let me have trust in you as I always stand on my word,the rental fees is $1000 per month including utilities and the Damage deposit is $500. I will like you to drive by to the building at your convenient time to view the exterior of the building for you to know where the apartment is located and get back to me with your final decision after viewing the exterior features and let me know if you wish to proceed further so that I can forward you the full interior pictures for you to have an idea how beautiful and spacious the inside looks and we can proceed to the application process.

Regards,
Henry Colt.

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.

All the details such as names, addresses, pictures etc. that the scammer uses in order to back up his story, are stolen from elsewhere.

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 was looking for an apartment and came across Henry Colt's ad.
It was perfect...but the back of my mind kept telling me this is too good to be true, so I googled his name and sure enough I came across this website. I knew it was too good to be true. This was his 1st email to me.

Hello Shantae,

Thanks for your interest in wanting to be my tenant. I am looking for a responsible & clean tenant that will be able to take good care of my house because I work as Research Associate in Molecular Imaging Research/Neurology and I do travel a lot, Presently I am in Los Angeles,CA for a research and I don't know when I will return back to the house that's why am looking for a responsible tenant who will live in the house and take care of it. The house is available for long term and short term lease is also accepted.

The house is located at: 1055 E Evelyn Ave, Sunnyvale CA 94086
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Property Type: Apartment
Size: 700 sqft
Close to bus & train lines and easy access to 101.

I want you to note that I am a kind and honest man and also I spent a lot on my property that I want to give you for rent, so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of the apartment and I would want you to treat it as your own, I would like you to keep it tidy all the time I also want you to let me have trust in you as I always stand on my word,the rental fees is $700 per month including utilities and the Damage deposit is $500. I will like you to drive by to the building at your convenient time to view the exterior of the building for you to know where the apartment is located and get back to me with your final decision after viewing the exterior features and let me know if you wish to proceed further so that I can forward you the full interior pictures for you to have an idea how beautiful and spacious the inside looks and we can proceed to the application process.

Regards,
Henry Colt.

SECOND EMAIL.... THIS ONE CAME WITH PICTURES OF INSIDE THE APARTMENT

Hello Shantae,

The apartment is available for long term & short term lease is acceptable as I am going to be away for about two years. The building is in a great location situated in the quiet and safe area and offers secure access. internet, cable, laundry in-suite, storage facilities, heat, water, electric and parking is included in the rent and pets allowed.

Attached are the interior pictures for you to have an idea how beautiful and spacious the inside looks, I will like you to get back to me with your final decision after viewing the interior pictures and let me know if you are interested in proceeding with the rental so that I can forward the application form to you.

Thank You.

Henry.

??? Could you please post the email address that the scammer used on this occasion,.
Thanks,