Rental Scam - Roland James

In looking for a rental property I came across something which seemed to good to be true but didn't realize it straightaway. I asked about the property and received a reply which follows:

"
Hello,

Thank you so much for showing your interest on the house. I did get your response concerning the house on trulia, the house is still available to occupy due to presently am in South Carolina for my ministry program service. I couldn’t wait to give the house to a Realtor because I have to pastor full time, we came to the idea of renting the property with the advice of my wife who felt the property may deteriorate if left locked. We lived in our property for many years so there is a touch beauty in the property with my wife sense of designing.
What I am offering is far below standard price, this is enough 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 you to question or access you physical before renting the property to you. But I assume that anyone who knows what it takes to put the kind of structure down should know that maintaining a property is mandatory, so if you believe you can take good care of the property and handle it like yours then I will be more than happy to let you rent the house.

I want to make it clear to you that the keys to the property is with me as I never envisage on renting the property initially while I was travelling down to South Carolina, So upon our agreement on renting the house I shall be sending you the keys to the property.

To start with, Please kindly get back to me with the information requested below for record purpose.

1) Your Full Name----------?

2) Your Full Address & Phone Number-------------?

3) Are you married-------------?

4) How many people will be living in the house--------?

5) Do you have a pet-------------------?

6) Do you have a car-------------?

7) Occupation---------------?

How long lease are you looking for---------------------?

9) How soon do you intend moving in----------------?

10) Reason for relocating-------------------?

11) Sex-----------?

12) Age--------------?

13) DO YOU AGREE TO MAKE DEPOSIT PAYMENT TO GET THE KEYS AND DOCUMENTS: ________?

14) WHEN DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THE KEYS AND DOCUMENTS: ____________?

Thank you
God Bless You
"

email address is [email protected].

Upon doing further searches, I found this email address to be used in several other rental "offerings"

Welcome to Scamwarners wayne01,

Scammers will often use the same formats in their writings. Occasionally they will change their email address, name and other small details. It is still all a scam.

If you can not meet someone at the property and view the inside consider it a scam. Never send anyone money via Western Union, Money gram or bank transfer that you never met face to face.

Sometimes the scammer will ask you to send money to yourself, friend or relative. He will tell you that you need to prove that you are serious. He will want a scan of the payment made. The scammer then will pick up the money himself using the MTCN or Ref #. He may even bribe a clerk.