Rental scammer - [email protected]

Here is another scam, using the same phone number and almost exactly the same email composition and application letter. This time the location is in Columbus, OH. The email address for the scammer this time around is: [email protected].

This is the email I received in response to a Craigslist ad.

Hello,

I did get your response concerning the AD I posted on Craigslist. The house is still available but presently I'm not around...... I did bid for a portion of petroleum land sometimes ago in West Africa and fortunately I won the bidding so I have to move quickly down to Africa to have my company set up because I will still have to rebid for it in the next 10 years.. I came over here with my wife and children, we both bought the house when we got married. As soon as we settle down here I had a thought of selling the house so I have to look for an agent, after getting one, we got a deal but later my wife advised against that. She said we may not be able to win the bidding next time, in other to keep our head when we return that we have to keep the house. I reasoned with her and accepted her advise. So I contacted the agent back and requested for my keys and documents.. Later we decided to have the house rented out, we would have give the same agent this job also but the truth of the matter is that the agent would want to handle it professionally and the occupant may not be able to reason along with him later. If you notice, you will discovered that the price we are offering is far below standard price, this is enough reason for you to know that we are not after the rental fee but the absolute care for the property. I know there is no way I can be sure that you are the right person to live in the house because we won't be able to see physical before sendingyou the keys and the documents to occupy the space. But I just had a feeling that anyone who knows what it takes to put the kind of structure down should know that maintaining a building is mandatory, so if you belief you can take good care of the house and handle it like yours then I will be more than happy to let you rent the house.

Note" do not contact the sign in front of the house and i also wrote it is for sale (But it is rent to own option) i don't want any agent to take advantage of my property i indicate zip realty to scare them away.

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION...........
Number of Bedrooms:3
Number of baths:1
Size:896 sqft
Monthly rent:$900
Security Deposit:$900

Please if you are ready now to occupy the house kindly provide the information below for record purpose..

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF (Application Form)
Full Na: Home Phone ( )
Date of Birth:
Other Phone ( )
Current Address:
Apt#:
City:
State:
Zip:
Reasons for Leaving:
Rent $:
Phone ( )
Are you married:
How many people will be living in the house:
How many people will be living in the house:
Do you have a pet:
Do you have a car:
Occupation:
Move In Date:
Picture Of You And Your Family:
When Can You Pay For Your First Month Rent And Deposit To
Secure Or Move In?_____________:

House Address: 546 Harland Dr.,Columbus, OH 43207


Best Regards

Jackson M and Tanya



You can give me a call on my Cell Phone: +2348060017996

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The property, when researched, was found to be listed for sale with a proper realtor. It's obvious why the scammer does not want anyone to contact "the number on the sign" or the realtor about this property, as that would lead to uncovering the scam right away, even if the misspellings, poor grammar & duplicate questions didn't tip off the reaader. Last but not least....*why on earth* would they need a picture of someone's family?

BEWARE!!

Split topic - Quotes added - Michelle