rental scammer- <[email protected]>

Hey All,

I have received this email that was in response to an sublease ad I posted on craigslist. After I have responded to this email without checking, I realized afterwards searching online that this person turned out to be some suspicious tenant scammer so far. Because of that I have attempted to get the email reversed- however unfortunately I was not able to do that- even gmail told me they could not. At best ,thankfully I caught that early. Here is the chain of emails:

on Mar 26, 2013, at 8:07 AM, Peter Hsiung wrote:
From: Peter
Subject: Re: Would like to rent
Date: March 26, 2013 9:23:03 AM EDT
To: JENKINS Vivien M <[email protected]>
Hello Vivian,

Thank you for your message in response to my sublet post on craigslists. Just to let you know here are a few things about my lease to keep in mind:

- My lease is only from May to July. I do not think there a possibility to extend the contract. So afterwards you would likely have to find another place to live if you are okay with that?

- Also my room won't be exactly ready to move in until May 1st. Yet that should give you time to move if interested.

- My room will also come unfurnished so you would have to bring your own furniture and other things. However there is definitely room for furniture in my room.

- The rent is paid by check instead of online in person.

If you could come by or are in Columbus pretty soon, I could arrange a date to have you meet with my landlord. That way he could walk through the details, make sure there is mutual agreement and you would be okay.

Please let me know when you are coming to Columbus and we could proceed from there. I will then check and try to make sure my landlord is available that day to show you my place.


Peter


From: Vivien M, JENKINS <[email protected]>
Subject: Would like to rent
Date: March 26, 2013 5:52:19 AM EDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Bcc: Peter Hsiung

Hello ,
A professional single female who works full-time in my trade as a distance reporter and freelance journalist,paying rent is never my problem and i'm comfortable with what i read from your posting on craiglist.com

About me
I currently live in the Honolulu,Hawaii USA, i'm a 27 year old female. Pretty laid back, mainly keep to myself. I work a full time and a part time job,have reliable transportation and am pretty low key,I like keeping things clean and organized. I enjoy a good conversation, playing badminton, playing video games and working out in my spare time! ,Im a very sociable person who doesn't smoke, take illegal drugs and only a social drinker. Dogs and cats likeme if they're human friendly! I usually sleep moderately early (10-11PM) I'm open to living with both male and female.

I have my own computer - a desk top but planning to purchase a laptop in upcoming months, I'll be using my computer for work and online post graduate classes. I have my own TV for cable or Direct TV/Dish,bed,dresser,my car,I'm gone most of the day b/c of work and my post graduate classes are online,i use internet alot.


PURPOSE OF RELOCATING FROM HAWAII
I was just transferred by the Media company i work for in Hawaii to serve a an outreach Reporter also i combine a freelance journalist with my work,that serves as extra earning for me,paying rent and other bills will never be a problem.



My Choice of Roommate:
A responsible roommate,clean might not be super clean but must be moderately clean,must be respectful,I would like to make the payment for the room via check to have the room reserved for me while i start getting my flight and other arrangement towards my coming over done let me know if there is parking space and room for furniture, i would be signing 3 to 12 months lease and might extend the rent after the first 12 months contract expires


Please email me soon with more details for us to move ahead with other arrangement




Regards


Vivien

I have realized that I have made a mistake at responding to it. The best I did was basically try to screen this person out by informing him of some things to keep in mind. Though I figure this person may not care about it. Because of that I really am stuck at what to do. The best I am planning to do with that is ignore and disregard any more further correspondence from this person. If I receive a fake check, which could happen, Im planning on just tearing it up and trashing it without cashing it at all. ANy suggestions since I accidentally replied to this?

Your approach is absolutely correct. Ignore the scammer, and destroy the check if you receive one (or simply refuse the shipment if you can.) The scammer may continue to try (he may even try threatening you if he sends a check and you don't follow his instructions) but as soon as he realizes he has no chance, he will move on to someone else.

I agrree. I just got a reply back from this person. In spite of how I have to insist that she will have to meet with the landlord before she gives the deposit (which my landlord does for security and safety purposes), I was just asked for my full name, address for her to send the check and number for emergency.

Fortunately though that is a good point to stop contact. As long as I have not responded, I should be okay. Especially since I plan to not respond to anymore emails from her given that email that seems not so original, Im ignoring it.