craigslist rental scam- [email protected]

Here is the email response I got back when requesting information on a rental property.

"I must confess that I am very very new in this landlord business.. However, My name is Brandy Montano.,I own the house located at (3367 S Nastar Dr, Tucson, AZ 85730). Due to our job with USAID we spent less time in the state.

Presently I and my family have work for USAID.USAID works in agriculture, democracy & governance, economic growth, the environment,education, health, global partnerships, and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries to provide a better future for all.

USAID still faces an uncertain future. In many developing countries,HIV/AIDS and health issues are having a dramatic impact on social cohesiveness and economic strength, blocking the very development goals we seek. Virtually all the new democracies in the world today are fragile; others are democracies more in name than substance. Nearly a quarter of the people living in developing countries, or about one billion people, live in absolute poverty. There are a host of other threats - ranging from terrorism to infectious disease and violent conflict - that challenge us and the developing nations we seek to help.Here is USAID Web address:-http://www.usaid.gov USAID efforts to foster world-wide economic growth and increased trade,and tackling cross-border issues such as the spread of HIV/AIDS and trafficking in persons.To safe the live of peoples from primitive death that claims the souls of younger ages as a result of casual sex gave us transfer to West Africa and we will be away for 8 years or more.

So we could not get a hold on any Realtor to handle this rent issue, although it was when I knew how long we are going to stay in West Africa that I decided to rent out the house. However, the initial plan was to sale out the house. which I tried, but sometimes the agents inflates the prize and it takes longer to sell i am telling you this in case if you find the house on another website or you found a sign board in front of the house, that is the old advert. because of this reason and more we need a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money,but want it to be clean and for you to take it as if it were yours.

The rent is $705 and $600 for Security Deposit For this 3BR/2Bath/1,557 sqft A/C Walking closet Dishwasher Disposal Refrigerator Vaulted Ceilings Washer/Dryer Lawn Cable parking space.

Pet Allowed."

Added quotation. (BW)

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.