New Orleans vacation rental...does this seem right?

Hi everyone - Really glad I found this site. I am headed to New Orleans with some friends next month, and we are looking for a vacation rental for the weekend. We came across a great listing: http://neworleans.craigslist.org/vac/3617805211.html, and I just want to make sure this seems right to the rest of you.

Owners name: Harry David and Kathy MacLean - [email protected]
Address: 740 Royal Street, 8 BR home
Price: $500/night and $400 refundable security deposit
Money required upfront: $1150 - 1/2 of three night rental and security deposit

I emailed him, and he sent a detailed response with 22 pictures of the place, all inside. I asked for another listing online, he has none. I filled out the required form, which seems legit, and he provided Wells Fargo bank account information for me to make a deposit.

Before doing so, I asked for a secure form of payment (Paypal), and he provided three emails as references. I have contacted each person this morning, and will wait for a response.

I don't know. The guy has an answer for everything, but the lack of info on Google gives me pause. Has anyone else come across this name? Does the price seem right, knowing that this is a non-holiday weekend?

Thanks for your help!

Look familiar?
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/reviews/p438131vb

Additional information about rental rates
Refundable Damage Deposit $500
Rates are subject to events.
$1200.00-$2,500 per night
Please read through our entire portfolio to make sure this is the place for you.
Thank you!

The calendar shows the mansion as full almost every weekend in March.
Textbook case of a scammer piggybacking off a legitimate listing.

Wow...thanks so much. That didn't come up when I searched Homeaway because it wasn't available for my dates 3/21-24.

Knew something didn't feel right, glad you set me straight.

In this case, google image search will lead you straight to the listing.

When in doubt, searching the photos will often provide you an answer.

Scripts are often reused as well, so could you post the emails he sent you?

Pretty long...here goes:

Subject -

Hi Joe,

Our property is available from March 21st through 24th 2013.The price is $500 per night, tax and cleaning fees inclusive.Your total rent for 3/night is $1500. The address is 740 Royal St New Orleans, LA 70116, 8br + bath + sleep 22ppl, this house is very spacious with good attractions.

You will be required to pay 50% of your total rent fee and a refundable security fee of $400 for booking/reservation and pay the remaining balance on the day of your arrival.

50% Deposit = $750
Security fee = $400
Total Deposit = $1150

Balance = $750 (to be paid upon arrival)

Your $400 security fee will be refunded to you on check out date. Upon your response, I will send you our agreement form and payment information.
have attached more photos for your few,

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Harry.

This included an attachment with 22 pictures. Now realizing they are all stolen from Homeaway. The picture of the outside was NOT included.

Since the "reference" email addresses will also belong to the scammer, could you post the email where he provides those addresses as well?

My reply:

Hi Harry,

This place looks great! I'll definitely forward it to the group to get a consensus, but this is certainly the leader so far. Please send along the agreement form and payment info so there won't be any delays once everyone is on board.

Also, do you have any reviews or postings online? I think it would help me sell it to the group.

Thanks for the fast response!

Joe

Hi,

We are private home owners, we have been renting this property for past three years without having any problem with our guest, we don't have any site this property belongs to me and my wife.

Have attached our booking form complete and send back to us via attachment, if it works for you we will send you our payment information. Please know that we receive our payment via our bank account.

looking forward to hear from you,

Harry.

Last post...took out some back and forth and just included the pertinent info:

Hi,

To complete your reservation, walk into any Wells Fargo Bank near you and make a cash deposit with the below account information.

Bank Name: Wells Fargo Bank
Account Name: Kathy J. MacLean
Account Number: 1010322606155
Routing Number: 053000219.

Upon receiving the deposit we will issue you a receipt confirming your payment which you will print and produce on the check in date.

We look forward to meeting with you.

Harry.

Red Flag

I push him for some kind of secure method of payment or other identifying info and he offers this...

At which point I found this site.

Joe,
This place belongs to me. The homeland security warned against send
such documents to someone during vacation rental as it is always used
by scammers to perpetrate crime. However, if you are skeptical, here
are few contacts of our past guest, you should contact them for
reference.



I hope this works...
Harry.

Quick update. One of the emails the scammer gave me actually responded and sent a one-word response.

Scam.

I guess I was supposed to take "Harry" at his word.

Too funny.

Since it appears he may have been cocky (or stupid) enough to use email addresses of innocent people, I went ahead and removed them so they aren't targeted by other scammers and spammers. If anyone responds that is clearly part of the scam, please do re-post the email address.

Between the name used, the writing, and the inappropriate reference to Homeland Security (who would have nothing to do with property rentals) it looks like this is an African scammer.