Same exact messages for an apartment in Belleville, Ontario on Dundas Street West except he goes by the name of Michael Fallon using email of
[email protected].
"I'm glad to hear from you and I appreciate your interest!
Please, check your attached file, I attached a few pictures of the
place, just so you can have a better idea of what it looks like.
I'll give you some details about my property, because I'm not
looking to make a business or a profit with it, I just want to find
the proper tenant, someone who will treat and care my home, like it
was his home.
My name is Michael Fallon, I'm the owner, I love this place, it
means a lot to me.. It has been professionally finished and decorated
with a modern color scheme that coordinates throughout.. it looks
exactly like in the pictures, totally finished, fully furnished and I
have the option of sending all my furniture into storage if you want
to bring your own, no extra costs!
It has all the facilities and the utilities: washing machine,
dishwasher, dryer, refrigerator, stove, oven, juice machine, iron,
toaster, coffee maker, microwave, vacuum cleaner, never used stainless
steel, everything you need! Bright windows with a fresh kitchen and
bathroom.
The lease is flexible, can be month to month, min stay 3 month - max
5/6 years. The rent for 1 month is $749. The price will not increase
monthly, it will remain the same for the whole period that the
contract will be signed for.
The all utilities are included in this price (rent/month). No extra
fees! It means: water, electricity, gas, cable and Internet.
About pets.. there are no problems if you have pets, as long as you
clean up after them!
So, I want this rental to be as smooth as possible, I really need to
take care of this matter by the end of the next week.. I am looking
forward to hear from you, to send you all the details, including
application form, too.
Don't miss out, I think is a good opportunity!
Thanks again
Regards,
Michael"
He will attach 6 images of an exceptionally furnished apartment, if you reverse image search each photo after downloading to your computer you will find many hits... in his other emails he will ask the folowing:
"Thank you for writing back!
Before we go further, I would like to know a little about you, it's important to me to know some details about yourself, because I'll be glad to rent it to anyone who likes to keep it clean and tidy!
Describe yourself if you are really interested, so I can have an idea about you and the people that will be living in my home. I'm very selective as to who I choose, I hope you understand me!
Here is a small example.
Present city / area? ___
Are you a tenant(s) currently? ___
Reason for leaving ___
Smoker? ___
What is the source of income you will pay rent with? ___
Reference? ___
When did you want to move in if successful? ___
A best guess as to how long of a term you will rent this unit for? ___
Also if you can send me a picture it will be nice, (not required to be sent)!
I have people who might be interested and I'll select a candidate out of the e-mails that I'll receive. Your rental applications will be processed in shortest time."
Afterwards he will say something along the lines of:
"You have a nice profile and I think you could be the new tenant.. Nice to meet you!
I would like to tell you a little bit about me and my family, I want to give you some insight into who I am.
I'm currently 39 years old and married. I'm very career focused and will be spending a lot of my time at the office. I work hard for my family. I'm a mature individual, very sincere, respectable and love friending new people. I'm a caring person who believes in taking good care of things!
My wife is speech language pathology, her name is Gabriella and we have one daughter, Nicola, that is 3 years old.
I inherited the apartment from my grandfather when he past away, I am from Rome, Italy, so I decided to rent it.
This is the second time I tried to rent the apartment, I had a deal with somebody before who said he will rent it if I come there.. So I got a plane ticket, and guess what!? When I arrived there, he didn't show up and after 2 days he gave me a call and said that he is sorry but he can't rent it anymore, because he has no money.
It was unfortunate that my past bitter experience of inviting people to come and view my apartment without any form of confirmation of their financial ability and not keeping up to time as at when scheduled, has brought about great loss to me.
So don't get me wrong and don't take it personally, but now I don't want to buy another plane ticket to come and fall for it once more... maybe you won't show up. I'm sick of tire-kickers, people who are just looking around and not serious about renting, so please don't waste my time... No offence!
I am the only person who has the keys, but I have a good solution if you are still interested.. You can have the keys in hands in less than 48 hours. I found a way to complete this rental safe and fast for the two of us.
Our very best,
Michael & Gabriella"
and attach 2 photos of him and his wife. Next up is asking for money, he's using a "middle man" company but still requires first months rent payment before keys can be delivered, claims he will not receive the payment until you return the paperwork but I can't verify if this is the case.
"I will try explain to you step by step how this will work, take a few moments and read my email carefully!
* The all utility bills will be redirected to me in Rome.
* If something will broke down after you moved, you are responsible, but the cost of repairs will be deducted from your rent.
* I would like to receive the money monthly into my bank account and I hope there will be no problem for you to wire the money to it.
Do you think a 2 days inspection period will suffice?
The apartment is ready, you just need to receive the keys to check it, and see if you can accept it. This rental will be managed by PhCargo | International Freight Forwarder.
Step # 1
In order to proceed, I need your shipping information:
First name _
Last name _
Address _
City _
Postal code _
Step # 2
With the information you'll provide me, I'll go at PhCargo office and I'll leave the keys and the contract in their possession to start the process. They will acts as a middle man between us.
The shipping will be done by PhCargo | International Air Transport | Door To Door.
PhCargo is a worldwide delivery company, a full service international freight forwarder, specializing in shipping commercial cargo from and to Italy by air and by ocean, (door-to-door service).
I used this company many times, and find they are helpful, polite, efficient and on time. I never had a problem! For more information, please checkout their website,
http://www.DreamCargo.comHere are the contents that will be delivered to you:
* Entrance and the rooms keys;
* Paper/permanent property form (Containing your reference details);
* The apartment documented file;
* Payment receipts;
* Address and description of the apartment.
Of course, we will need some way to go through this agreement, to allow us ensure that we get what we are expecting, because you can't send me the money directly with no protection and I must have a warranty to send you the keys, I hope you understand I can't just send the keys to anyone.
This is step # 3.
* The tenant must deposit at company's account, only first month of rent;
* They can proceed with the shipping and you'll receive the keys and the contract signed by me at your door in 48 hours;
* The agent will bring the keys in front of your door and then you have 2 days to go and see the apartment. After the inspection period you must give them an answer.
* In case you'll take it, you'll have to supply them a copy of the contract signed by you and they will release me the funds. The contract will be signed and filled in after you will check the apartment;
* If you don`t find it exactly as described, they will refund your money and the keys back to me. NOTE*** I'll get the deposit only if you decide to keep the apartment;
* PhCargo will provide assistance in handling the payment and delivery of the keys, I'll pay for the services performed by the company, so there will not be any additional cost to you.
As soon as the package is in their custody, they will contact you with the all information... I'll await your quick response and I'll complete the transaction asap.
Our very best,
Michael & Gabriella"
When asked what the physical address is (was going to stop by the place and ensure it exists or that the person living there was aware of what was happening), he will provide an excuse about theft:
"This beautiful apartment is located in a lovely area, on Dundas Street West, in Belleville, ON, excellent location!
I can not give you the complete address, the apartment is full furnished, everything is new inside, there's no one who lives there, so please understand me! I'm afraid of thieves and I hope you understand the importance of safety when it comes to posting something of such value.
Due to theft from home, I will not give you this information. I do apologize for this but I hope you understand me.
The keys will be delivered to your door by a courier, you'll have to inspect the package and sign the receipt. I'll give him all you need to know regarding it: the keys, complete address and all the apartment's papers. You'll have enough time to inspect the apartment and all the area!
I'll instruct the agent to come after 5 PM, so we'll make sure that you get it. If you are not home at first, they will come back until they find you home. I don't think it's going to be any problem if someone else signs for it as long as someone is home."
Glad I looked into this! Had a bad feeling from the start.... oh and the reverse image search showed ads using the same images in Belleville, Toronto, and Sudbury, Ontario, and Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta. Most were kijiji ads for 1 and 2 bdrm units and houses and all have been removed. The one for Toronto, ON was from 2011 I believe from a website with OLX in the URL if I remember correctly.
I've attached the posting I found that had all images he used in the listing except for one pic of the bathroom which was from a listing from NZ or Austrailia I believe...
http://toronto.olx.ca/luxury-2-bedrooms-apartment-in-toronto-iid-229603812
