[email protected]

Hi everyone,

I just received this email from a girl who was looking to rent from us. I believe she's posted before, but I haven't been quite able to get a full tag on her. I posted an ad on craigslist for a room rental. Then she replied on 3/14/13:

Hello,

Thank you for emailing me. I really appreciate and I believe it is very important you know about me, So here is a little about me,
Name is Alexis stevens, i am personable and responsible. I am very easy to get along with. I clean up after myself as well as my environment. I am respectful of others' space and opinions. I am honest and that is the only thing i expect from others too. I do not smoke, drink nor do i do drugs. I'm pet friendly but do not own one, nor do i plan on having any but there wouldnt be problem if you have any. I have a clean record. I do not smoke, drink nor do i do drugs. I speaks little french as my dad was from canada, and mother from here (Idaho) , they are both late, Her, i lost recently.
I am an occupational health Nurse and my job is about educating people on treatment, follow-up and referrals and i studied yoga and wellness in india and i ve been teaching people here too. I am presently in caldwell, idaho, and you would wonder why i am looking to rent from here, And the reasons is simply because of change and leaving behind the memory of my break up. I am just looking to concentrate on myself for now and i hope i rent from or room with a great, responsible person. I have always wanted to try a different city. And I considered the area because of these factors too.
About work & rent, I have a year's rent saved up already, So you will not have to worry about paying rents. I will be looking to rent a space for teaching yoga, as i planned giving online classes to people here when i moved. I am financially reliable and it has been a plus making money from teaching yoga. I will want to secure a place before i start looking around for something physical at hospitals there. So paying rent on time will never be a problem as i will always be ontime with rent and other bills. I can provide reference if required.
Please do know that i am a christian and yoga to me is about the purity of the body and mind/improving health. And i will never bring it home. I choose to tell you all about me as i need no drama and i need to rent as soon as possible and plan. So please email me back if you are looking to rent out now with any information, pictures of me will be attach in the next email, let me know if i am someone you'd like to rent to. We can exchange messages as soon as i am sure you'd be renting to me and we can work something out. So any information would be appreciated.
Thanks for your time and i await your next email at [email protected]

Alexis

First off, this seems rather fishy since she has no evidence of proper grammar (how could she hold a high position as an occupational health nurse?). Second, I emailed her back (same day), with more information about the room (as well as pictures) and noting that we would be interested in speaking to her. We asked to either Skype or face time, but in order for her to be accepted in our home we needed to speak to her. I heard nothing from her for 2 days and eventually resent the email and asked if she was still interested in the room (3/16/13). This was her first response (on 3/17/13):

On Mar 17, 2013, at 1:41 AM, [email protected] wrote:

Hi

Thank you for getting back to me, I hope you are clear about my situation?. I would have loved to see around, meet before anything but it will be stressful for me, to be there and coming back here to finish the things i have left to do, So anymore information would help. I believe that the people that are around us matters most and you can be rest assured that i am with good values. My pictures are being attached in this email. I wouldnt want to loose the place for anything else, am just looking to secure a place now and start with my moving preparation and I would be able to give you a move in date and other information you may required
I do want you to know that i have a dresser, computer table, kitchen utensils, luggages and my car that i would love to come with, do let me know what will fit and what wont. I just bought my toyota camry so i would definitely have it over.
I am very serious and wouldn't want to be bailed on. Let me also know if you are looking to rent out Asap and the reason i choose the city, i had a friend that was there for 6months last year, and when my move situation came up, she told me i could move there that i would like it there and here i am trying to. To assure you i am financially reliable and serious, i would be willing to make security payment that you are comfortable with.
Importantly would it okay for me to move in, My move in date is flexible, it all depends on the availablilty of the rental.
And i am getting a new phone soon but will be emailing you with my # in my next email. You should know that i am ready to move in as soon as possible.
Thanks once again.

Alexis.

She sent a second one that same day, shown below:

Hi again,

Thanks for getting back to me, You should know that i am as worried as you would be about going about securing a place with my situation. But i have to go through with this, i am glad to have met you and people do meet somehow, and i feel we will get along very well. I understand it isnt easy renting without meeting but the situation that i am in isnt giving me chance, if you so want, i could put up in a hotel there for 3days for you to see if you'd be comfortable with me or run a check, but i am sure you will would be.
I have to secure a place before i start making my plans and after much thought, i think i should secure the place financially with that i would be comfortable knowing that i have a place secured. And I wouldnt ever worry about being bailed on, I'll know i have it secured.
I can just make the required payment you would like me to make now, And monthly rent will be met ontime.
To me, the most comfortable way of making payment, which is the most reliable means of making payment is through certified check, So if it is okay by you and you are wanting to truly rent to me, please provide me with the following information to get the payment to you, Your full name as it will appear on the payment, and address(#) to ensure delivery or P. O address and phone number on the package to avoid package missing in transit. I would like you to send me an email as a receipt when you get the money too.
To let you know it is not that i have bunch of things, just my car and my personal things, I will get other things needed when i get there.
I want you to know that if i secure the place now, i can move on formally with my plans. I know almost everyone does the facebooking thing, i am just not a fan but if you do want me to open one, i would consider it.
Please do let me know and provide me with the information needed as i really need to know to have a place secured and move on with my plans.
Feel free to ask me any question(s) you have okay, well my cell (208) XXX-XXXX (i have text plan for now as i am changing my service plan, i am placing order for a new phone too )

Thanks again.
My Information.
Alexis Stevens

She gave her address as well. I texted her and she replied with a date of 3/19/13 to speak via phone. I called her twice, and then texted her -- nothing. I was thinking that either she's super flaky or is a scammer. Either way, it wasn't worth the time. I emailed her back and explained that I would NOT be confirming ANYTHING until I spoke with her via phone or Skype. We've rented to people that were out of state before and NEVER had this much difficulty!

This is the message we sent to her:
Hi Alexis,

I texted you and left a voicemail today. I understand your situation has restricted you in various aspects, but I really need to speak to you via phone before I feel comfortable confirming everything. We believe in honesty and if you are interested in the room, we will hold it however, I do have to draw a line when someone is not responsive. We have had people who have moved in without meeting us in person first, however we've had the opportunity to speak to them prior to meeting them and had references. During the phone conversations we can confirm dates, moving times, etc.

Please understand that we would like the opportunity to have you live with us, but we have kids and I am very concerned about who I bring into my home. Please let me know your availability to talk and send references. If you are not interested, please let us know as we have other people who have approached us with interest as well, however we have been holding off on allowing them to see the space because we felt you might be a better fit. Again, please respond so we can know how to proceed.

Never heard anything from her again. Now when we relisted our ad, it seems like she responded again, although I can't tell. I'm pretty sure it is a scam, but I figured I'd check with other people to see if they've had the same or similar issue?

thanks for posting. I did receive similar emails and thought it to be genuine. now I know it is very likely a scam.

No "likely" about it. 100% scam.

Check out the 4th post on this page: http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-208-352-3697/2
Look familiar?

I am soooo happy I found this when I googled "alexis stevens idaho yoga". I received verbatim the first 2 emails. I had a feeling it was a scam. Anytime I receive such an in-depth, personable response, it always seems to end with attempting to get my personal info, and somehow money being wired. Thanks soooo much for posting. I'm happy I decided to do some investigating!

Doveynlovey82, You are a scammer too I see! You responded to my ad with the name [email protected], Name is AnnMarie Patterson, also from idaho!Wow, exact same email that you sent to me as alexis stevens, just with a different name, I just didn't read the first email all the way through!

Glad I googled this. I got the same thing. When people go bla bla bla it definately throws up a red flag.

Amazing! This girl also contacted us. Things were fishy and just did not add up. She seemed to avoid answering my questions in her email. Now I know they are blanket emails that she sends to everyone. I received the exact ones posted earlier. It was interesting how she always avoided mentioning that I had asked for references and would like to do a background check on her. If she were honest, she would have complied. I will post her last two emails that she sent. It even has her supposed picture. Is everyone involved from the Northern Colorado Area? The doveynlovey in her email that you all had makes me think she might be from Loveland, Colorado. Looks like the picture won't come through to this posting (or I'm not sure how).


Hi

Thank you for getting back to me, I hope you are clear about my situation?. I would have loved to see around, meet before anything but it will be stressful for me, to be there and coming back here to finish the things i have left to do, So anymore information would help. I believe that the people that are around us matters most and you can be rest assured that i am with good values. My pictures are being attached in this email. I wouldnt want to loose the place for anything else, am just looking to secure a place now and start with my moving preparation and I would be able to give you a move in date and other information you may required
I do want you to know that i have a dresser, computer table, kitchen utensils, luggages and my car that i would love to come with, do let me know what will fit and what wont. I just bought my toyota camry so i would definitely have it over.
I am very serious and wouldn't want to be bailed on. Let me also know if you are looking to rent out Asap and the reason i choose the city, i had a friend that was there for 6months last year, and when my move situation came up, she told me i could move there that i would like it there and here i am trying to. To assure you i am financially reliable and serious, i would be willing to make security payment that you are comfortable with.
Importantly would it okay for me to move in, My move in date is flexible, it all depends on the availablilty of the rental.
And i am getting a new phone soon but will be emailing you with my # in my next email. You should know that i am ready to move in as soon as possible.
Thanks once again.

Alexis.


Hi

Thank you for getting back to me, I hope you are clear about my situation?. I would have loved to see around, meet before anything but it will be stressful for me, to be there and coming back here to finish the things i have left to do, So anymore information would help. I believe that the people that are around us matters most and you can be rest assured that i am with good values. My pictures are being attached in this email. I wouldnt want to loose the place for anything else, am just looking to secure a place now and start with my moving preparation and I would be able to give you a move in date and other information you may required
I do want you to know that i have a dresser, computer table, kitchen utensils, luggages and my car that i would love to come with, do let me know what will fit and what wont. I just bought my toyota camry so i would definitely have it over.
I am very serious and wouldn't want to be bailed on. Let me also know if you are looking to rent out Asap and the reason i choose the city, i had a friend that was there for 6months last year, and when my move situation came up, she told me i could move there that i would like it there and here i am trying to. To assure you i am financially reliable and serious, i would be willing to make security payment that you are comfortable with.
Importantly would it okay for me to move in, My move in date is flexible, it all depends on the availablilty of the rental.
And i am getting a new phone soon but will be emailing you with my # in my next email. You should know that i am ready to move in as soon as possible.
Thanks once again.

Alexis.



I don't expect to hear from her again. I will post again if I do. I did contact Craigs List to let them know she is a scammer. Thanks for the heads up!

I can't believe I fell for this too. If it wasn't for a concerned poster on CL in Virginia, I would have been waiting forever for this girl to arrive. I am mad at myself, thought I knew better. She sent pics, same boiloer-plate e-mails everyone else has received. I was so shocked, I started doing some research. If you get on Linken, she is there and it looks to be a fake pic, especially after she sent some bogus pics of her in a yoga outfit, seemingly instructing. I will get on here and post pics tomorrow. I also thought her grammar and writing was off and should have trusted my gut. I would have never sent her money back, though. I have learned that much. I've reported her and I also e-mailed her at this address telling her not to contact me to which she deleted. Again, thought I knew better. Be aware, all

In reality, "she" is most likely a young African man.
The photos would just be stolen from the internet. They have no connection to the emails.

The change from 82 to 83 in the email address is because scammers' email accounts frequently get reported and closed. Scammers know this, so they will often open several related addresses so they can keep going where they left off. We prefer they keep the same email address, so that targets who search the exact email address they are uncertain of will find the posted warnings. Because of this, our standard practice here is to not report the email addresses, and not to tell the scammers that their email addresses are posted on an anti-scam site. Changing email addresses is fast and easy, and costs the scammer nothing, but it reduces the chances of some victims finding the warnings.

Hello Everyone, Just wanted to try to clear it up about this young lady, Alexis Stevens. I did receive similar postings regarding her needs, I am sorry for her that everyone felt she was not actually real. I just received her deposit for the rental, and an advance. ALEXIS STEVENS EXISTS FOLKS!! Just FYI...

Alexis Stevens is also trying to rent with me. She sent me the same emails and then sent moving fees as well as an advance. I work for a company that sees a lot of fraud so I called to verify the money orders she sent. They are fake. Please do not deposit them or attempt to cash them. She will probably tell you that she sent too much money and would like some backor something of the sort. Please be careful and do not attempt to use the money orders she sent.

Thank you decadedreamer!

I am very glad that you responded in this thread, the more so because I had missed the post by Ivanzar, who is either a victim who still didn't understand the truth (in which case he will likely learn the hard way), or is someone who is helping the scammer.

So, to make sure this is very clear:

The people receiving these emails have NEVER been in contact with a young lady named Alexis Stevens.
They have been in contact with a criminal, using a fake name.

The person calling himself Alexis Stevens WILL send you a payment, in the form of a check or money order. It WILL be fraudulent but may be good enough that a bank does not immediately recognize it. If you successfully deposit it, withdraw the cash, and forward the money as instructed, you may think everything is fine. But later, when the bank realizes that your deposit was fraudulent, they have the right to charge you for the entire amount of the fraudulent deposit (including any money you sent). They can also charge you fees for the bad deposit, and if you have written checks on the deposit, a lot of fees for bounced checks. Plus, they can call the police and have you arrested, because you have just committed a crime.

In the end, you will most likely end up in debt and possibly in jail.

Has anyone attempted to report her to the authorities? For the most part if you were scammed there are safety nets built within your bank account for this type of scenario. Although this is true I would like to see these peopleget caught or at least bring it to someone's attention that could prevent it from happening to others.

[email protected]
Here's what she sent to me


Thanks once again for the quick reply,I would have loved to call You but am leaving now to see my sick uncle ,i can only communicate through email but I will, whenever i get there but before that i will want to secure the place,I am very happy meeting a person like you,It 's nice reading from you again and i will never ever want to loose the room even without seeing the place ,i smell the kind of person whom you are and i like you,I will want You to know that i am okay with the cost ,if none is included again.....

I got to believe that the person that one wants to live with matters most,i believe that you'll be a nice person,I just have my dressers,computer table,kitchen utensils and a queen size bed,2 big luggages and my car to be shipped....


I got a message that my uncle is sick in France and i have to go see him but i am making plans to secure place so that when i come back i'll just move in into the place we are talking about. and with the way we ve communicated,I am okay with you and i want you to know that i don't want to make any travel plans without securing a place down now,I will be signing a year lease for the start if you are okay with that,so i ve let my uncle understand more about you and the place,He is really comfortable and he told me that it is a nice area he had lived in the states before and he said that i should not afford to loose your place also he said that i should try and make sure that i hold down the place,so i thought of it and i will be making payment to hold down the place and the mode of payment will be the Most acceptable,easier,safer and reliable means of payment which is United State
Certified money order so pls let me know if this mode of payment is ok by you.

And if YES pls provide me with the following information to get the payment to you.Your full name as it will appear on the payment,your work place address to ensure delivery in your hands through regular mails or a courier service,your phone number on the package to avoid package missing in transit. I will prefer to send to your work address because you will always be available at work from morning till evening but if home address it will be sitting in your mail and no one will be at home to receive the package.And if you don't receive package at your office address then I guess your home address will be good for the delivery right ? But to avoid any delay of you receiving at home then I guess any address will be fine as long as you will be able to receive it.

Kindly get back to me with this requested address contact information so that we can proceed ASAP bye for now..

Feel free to ask me any question(s) you have okay

Shana,

I got a very similar email from a Valerrie Duke. This is also a scam. Please do not rent to out of town people without meeting them first. Good luck!