by Con Warner
Sat Apr 06, 2013 6:50 am
From: craigslist 3722631837 <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Apr 5, 2013 at 11:11
Subject: Re: $660 Quiet 1 bed 1 bath top floor apartment (Santa Monica)
To: Con Warner
Hello,
Thanks for your email . I'm John Lawrence the owner of the Apartment you are in renting. Let us know how soon you are willing to move in. My apartment is still available for rent for $660 per month including the utilities like hydro,washer and security,it is furnished. kindly forward your inquiry to my wife Mary ,on ( [email protected] ) and she will attend to you better.
ADDRESS TO THE APARTMENT : 2134 20th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Thanks for your interest.
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.
