I was a buy to let landlord advertising my houes over the Internet, and I had the same scam attempted with me. She (Loretta or Iami) was pregnant and her husband had just died. She had to move to the UK for the sake of the pregnancy. Other than that, identical story. These people are the lowest of the low. Hope they get caught.

Posted by: S Mughal at August 18, 2004 11:09

Today I recieved an amail from "BAYO MORRIN", telling me he wants to buy my car.
This is a copy of the mail:

From: bayo_morrin2001@yahoo.com
HI,

I AM MR BAYO MORRIN I AM INTERSTED IN BUYING YOUR CAR.

IF AVAILABLE I WILL WANT YOU TO GET BACK TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH THE HEALTH OR CONDITION OF THE CAR,THE LAST PRICE AND SOME PICTURES AS WELL.THOUGH I HAVE SEEN THE DETAILS ON THE NET AND IT IS OK WITH ME BUT ALSO I WILL WANT YOU TO SEND ME MORE PICTURES OF THE CAR.

HOPE TO HEAR FROM OU SOON.

BEST REGARDS,

BAYO MORRIN.

Probably the same guy.......
Anyway, the car was sold already 1 year ago.

Dirk.

Posted by: Dirk at September 18, 2004 19:56

Hey Paul
Nice one, I got one going on right now too, and will post that to my blog! It's blimmin hilarious isn't it!

My one involves God, Missionaries, the chruch writing me a cheque, wanting food with the price........but I have got a nice little number in store for 'Pastor Tina'

Posted by: sailingkiwi at November 1, 2004 13:39

I have one that just started today. Wanting to rent my place for a year. says that he is a "legal practitioner" in the UK going on a one year sabbatical.

The $35,000 that I am requiring isn't a problem. LOL

Gonna see if I can get a grand sent as an application/reservation fee.

Posted by: Tom at November 1, 2004 20:23

Hey Tom
Nice one, that sounds like a good idea, let me know how you get on!
Vee

Posted by: sailingkiwi at November 1, 2004 22:42

Hey Tom
Nice one, that sounds like a good idea, let me know how you get on!
Vee

Posted by: sailingkiwi at November 1, 2004 22:42

I have been advertising a house for rent on an number of online listing sites.

Within a few days I received several email inquiries all consistent with the rental scam. One of the scammers even had the audacity to contact me via Yahoo Messenger.

What tipped me off is that all the scammers had similar details to their stories: All were graduate students from the UK coming to pursue studies in the US, all had a "banker" or "financier," all asked for information that was already available in the listing they referenced, and... all used odd idioms and improper terms - like "rentage" for example.

Here are the inquiry emails I received:

------- Message 1
From: benard roy [mailto:nobleconsult2000@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 6:06 AM
Subject: House

Dear Sir/madam
I am Bernard Roy i live in uk.I am going on sabatical leave so i will be relocating to your area with my family in a few weeks time i would want to pay for the rent of the familyhouse you advertised on offcampusnetwork.com i will also want to know your final price of the rentage and please let me know if a cashiers check drawn from a U.S bank will be acceptable by you for payment.as you give me a reply to know if you will be of help to me and my family.
THANKS!!!
Regards,
Bernard Roy.
Pls do contact me via email at: nobleconsult2000@yahoo.com`

-------- Message 2
From: rangnick_007@yahoo.com [mailto:rangnick_007@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 11:39 AM
Subject: BOULDERRENT http://www.boulderrent.com Contact from Rental Ventures

Name: Steve morris
Email: rangnick_007@yahoo.com
Phone: 467567645328

Steve morris had this to say:
Dear Frank,
I am an Engineer based in London, I
have a year plus research programm in
the U.S, and wants to rent a house, please,
indicate your final renting price, and a
detailed description of the house.
Also indicate the location, and mode of ,
payment as my financier who is based in the,
U.S. will effect the payment.
Let me hear from you on receipt of this mail.
Regards,
Steve morris.

---------- Message 3
From: Danny Raymond [mailto:danny1raymond@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 9:03 PM
Subject: Your Ad on OffCampusNetwork.com.

Hi,
Are you the owner of the place? If yes please
send me photos, the floor plan and the detailed rental
cost for a new tenant. I also want you to tell me
about the niebourhood.
Danny Raymond.

Posted by: Frank at November 28, 2004 05:36

I've felt the same problems with people in the past using email to communicate with one another for flatsharing. You see, as their is no cost to the email people will willy nilly send out tons of emails with no commitment.

Instead I've take an approach which means that only phone calls are accepted. Although I'm somewhat biased :) I would recommend checking out the this site. FlatShare.com

Posted by: FlatShare in London at December 9, 2004 10:18

I have the same issue. I've been contacted by 4 different people. All are from Europe & want to pre-pay some or all of the fees. A few times, I've asked them to complete a rental app. I usually don't hear from them. I would suggest reporting them to the FTC. More details about this scam -> http://www.homerentalads.com/scam-alert.htm

Posted by: C Wilson at December 21, 2004 00:28

My god! I'm going through this at the moment. That's why i thought i'd do a search to see what the latest scams are. I'm glad i did, but was no-way gonna send any money any where before the funds had cleared. This one claims to be a model, even sending pictures of some tasty gal!! Also said accountant sent too much money to me - was supposed to be money for her travel too. I'll keep you posted.

Posted by: Min at December 21, 2004 16:54

I was approached about my spare room. I wasn't aware of these scams, but warning bells started going off when I asked for more info on him. I had unfortunately already given my address for his 'accountant' to send the cheque to. I contacted this guy again (John Walker - who interestingly started off as a yahoo.co.uk account, and then changed to a .com account) to ask him to call me as I hadn't received the cheque, and wanted to discuss arrangements with him.

He then replied about the whole sending me a cheque and me needing to send him the balance thing, and spun some sob story about his son suddenly having a car accident, and him needing a deposit to have his son's legs amputated (so his son needs serious life changing surgery, and he and his wife are still planning on coming to the UK on holiday?).

I replied back asking him not to contact me again. Which he did, begging me to do this for him, because the cheque was already on its way.

I replied again saying that he shouldn't contact me again, and if any cheque did arrive then I would destroy it.

Feel a bit stupid at being sucked in - is there anything we can do to publicise this scam more?

Posted by: Maisy at January 7, 2005 17:13

I thought it was just me, but your stories are exactly like mine, i have had numerous emails from people interested in my flat, saying that they are coming to the UK for contests or modelling, they wanted to know what the area was like and how much rent plus bills would come to which was stated in all the advertisments i made???

One that stands out for me is like the one Posted by Frank on November 28, 2004 05:36 - this lady :"shantel" she contacted me on MSN Messenger saying that she needs a flat to rent asap, as she's coming to work over in the uk - and that he company will send my a cheque, for the rent and deposit - like a rookie landlord i was happy that my flat was going to be rented, i gave the lady my name and address, i have now recieved a cheque for £6,500 pounds???? - i don't know where she went to school but this is far too much, that why i have searched the net for scams and found this website, also you all may want to look/read this, on this website: http://www.homerentalads.com/scam-alert.htm

I have now ripped up the cheque.......

LANDLORDS BEWARE, i can't believe the police aren't doing anything about this, or that Estate Agents are not advising landlords of this Scam....

Posted by: Mick at January 27, 2005 16:56

I have had 3 mails. Fell for the first one. Name Louis Morgan - louismorgan@engineer.com which doesnt work any more. From Italy and an Engineer. Wanted to send 6000£ more plus 2 months rent in advance.
Second one Gino Arrona, another engineer from Italy. Told him off and marked him as spam.
Third Surprisingly James Hogan with the same email on rentamatic website.
Fourth a widowed lady from america.
Watch out Folks
Raghu

Posted by: Dr. Raghu Ramaiah at January 31, 2005 17:05

All,

Thanks for the heads up on this 419 scam. As an african myself I am embarassed to hear of the repeated attempts ostensibly by Nigerians to free people from their hard earned. By way of a cautionary note; do not be trying to reverse con these guys; they can be vicious in return.

From expeience it is best to refuse their childish entreaties; play dumb, notify others and keep your hard earned in your pocket. The less information that you give to them the better.

Posted by: Ramey at February 7, 2005 16:11

I've had a woman named Mrs Marry who is supposedly coming to my part of the UK for a concert for 3 mths. Sadly, like others I was caught unawares and gave her the address which was dumb as I was immediately suspicious. She is supposedly sending me a cheque for £5K and wants me to pay for her flights. She wont tell me what concert, or the name of the agency that is employing her, and I've told her I've let the room so now she is accusing me of making her lose her profession. Thank you for your stories, it helped me confirm what I already suspected. Fortunately I have't lost any cash over it.

Posted by: caroline at February 8, 2005 14:36

Listen, Ive read all of these comments very carefully and to be honest if you get blagged by such a shit scam then you deserve it. WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD SEND ANY OF THESE PEOPLE MONEY?
IT DOESN'T SOUND AS IF ANY OF YOU HAVE SO PROVES HOW SHIT IT IS. IT'S LAUGHABLE. AND SO ARE YOU FOR CREATING A FUCKING WEB SITE TO 'OUT' THE PROBLEM. IT'S NOT A FUCKING PROBLEM. SOMEONE PUTTING A GUN TO YOUR HEAD ASKING FOR MONEY IS A PROBLEM. AS FOR CLEVER CLOGS 'WATCH WHAT I DID NEXT, I REALLY HAD HIM GOING' YOU REALLY THINK HE GIVES A FUCK ABOUT ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY HIS SHITTY STORY TO YOU? HE'S PROBABLY PISSED OUT OF HIS HEAD WHILE WRITING HUNDREDS OF THESE STORIES, HOW DO YOU EXPECT HIM TO REMEMBER WHAT HE'S WRITTEN BEFORE, GIVE HIM A BREAK AND HELP HIM OUT. SEND HIM THE MONEY.

LOVE YA.

Posted by: justin at February 8, 2005 18:31

Well, this scam stretches across the world. In California, my husband and I advertised our furniture for sale and a guy with an African-sounding name emailed that he wanted to buy our chair sight unseen and send us extra money which we would have to refund back to him. He was supposedly in Germany. Reporting this to police, we were told this is the biggest (offshore) scam going and that many people fall for it!

Posted by: Bea at February 27, 2005 04:21

I just got this one:

--------------------

From: alicias cole [mailto:alicias_cole@yahoo.ie]
Sent: 01 March 2005 16:42
To: alicias_cole@yahoo.com
Subject: HELLO AM INTRESTED IN UR ROOM

HI
MY NAME IS ALICIAS COLE, AM FROM THE STATE(READING),IN UNITED KINGDOM AND TO BE PRECISED I LIVE IN LIVERPOOL ALL MY LIFE AND I ALSO STUDIED IN LIVERPOOL .I MODEL AS MY OCCUPATION AND I AM A PROFESSIONAL MODEL ,AM CURENTLY IN NIGERIA MODELING FOR D&G AND I BE BACK AS SOON AS MY CONTRACT WILL BE OVER AND I WILL BE SO HAPPY TO RENT YOUR APPARTMENT BEFORE THEN CUS I WILL LOVE TO COME IN DIRECT THERE AND HAVE THE ROOM RENT ALREADY .......... ABOUT THE PAYMENT ,MY EX-BOSS IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE THE PAYMENT TO YOU COS I MODELLED FOR HIM AND IS OWING ME SO HE MADE A MISTAKE OF SENDING ME A UK CHECK TO NIGERIA WHICH THE CHECK IS WITH ME NOW WHICH I CAN NOT CASH A UK CHECK IN NIGERIA SO I WILL JUST SEND YOU A CHECK FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE ROOM.I WILL ALSO LOVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ROOM,THE THING YOU HAVE THERE WHEN WE WILL RENT IT AND HOW MUCH I SHOULD PAY IN FULL ,AND I WILL ALSO LOVE IF YOU CAN PLS HELP ME SEND THE PIX OF THE ROOM TO ALICIAS_COLE@YAHOO.CO.UK AND I WILL BE SO HAPPY TO RENT THE ROOM . THX SO MUCH LOOKING FORWARD FOR YOUR REPLY AT MY MAIL BOX ALICIAS_COLE@YAHOO.CO.UK

REGARDS ALICIAS

---------------------

I like the fact she's lived in (the State of)Liverpool all her life and can't string a sentence together (hahaha).

Posted by: Jack Pearce at March 3, 2005 11:46

There does seem to be a pattern to this ....

HI
MY NAME IS MIKAELA SANFRANSISCO, AM FROM THE STATE(ARIZONA),IN AMERICA AND
TO BE PRECISED I LIVE IN TEMPE ALL MY LIFE AND I
ALSO STUDIED IN TEMPE .I MODEL AS MY OCCUPATION AND I AM A
PROFESSIONAL MODEL ,AM CURENTLY IN NIGERIA MODELING FOR D&G AND I
WILL BE BACK AS SOON AS MY CONTRACT WILL BE OVER AND I WILL BE SO
HAPPY TO RENT YOUR APPARTMENT BEFORE THEN CUS I WILL LOVE TO COME
IN DIRECT THERE AND HAVE THE ROOM RENT ALREADY ..........
ABOUT THE PAYMENT ,MY EX-BOSS IS READY TO MAKE THE PAYMENT TO YOU.
I MODELLED FOR HIM AND IS OWING ME SO I WILL JUST TELL HIM TO SEND
YOU A CHECK FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE ROOM.I WILL ALSO LOVE TO KNOW
MORE ABOUT THE ROOM,THE THING YOU HAVE THERE WHEN I WILL RENT IT
AND HOW MUCH I SHOULD PAY IN FULL ,AND I WILL ALSO LOVE IF YOU CAN
PLS HELP ME SEND THE PIX OF THE ROOM TO SANFRANSISCO_SEXYMODEL@YAHOO.COM
WILL BE SO HAPPY TO RENT THE ROOM .
THX SO MUCH.
MIKAELA SANFRANSISCO

Posted by: Carl Lorenzen at March 25, 2005 15:25

I just got the same email as Carl Lorenzen. I responded with a list of questions and asking for a picture. Then i decided to Google her name to see what came up and this site did...good thing I did that, now I know it is a scam. Thanks.

Posted by: Nadine at March 27, 2005 21:06

----- Original Message -----
From: Danny Raymond; danny_ray002@yahoo.com
Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 10:15 PM
Subject: CONCERNING PAYMENT..

Thanks for your response,I really do appreciate,Well am sending you this mail concerning your apartment for rent. I am letting you know that am very much interested in renting the apartment for my only son who will be travelling down to study in the united state to further his education for a month( a month course).i will want you to get back to me with your final asking price for the rent,the present condition of the apartment,and other usefull informations that will be needed.Payment will be made Money Order of $3850 being a refund payment of a cancelled order i placed with a client of mine few weeks back and he said it can only be Issued on Via Money Order which can easily be cashed at your bank without any form of stress and delay.All you need do is to get back to me with your full name and address so i can fax it to my client to issue the Money Order and make it payable to you as soon as possible.Once you recieve the Money Order,you will need to deduct your actual amount for the rent and wire the rest of the funds to my son via western union money transfer who will be in your residence in the next 24hrs after he might have recieved the funds from you via western union money transfer that same day he recieve the fund from you, The Excess fund is for him to buy his ticket and some other things he will need when he arrive.Pls be informed that i am a very busy person due to the nature of my humanitarian work.Meanwhile,be informed also that i will be very busy next week so i will want the transaction to take place fast and safe.
Also will want you to know that am very much interested in the apartment.
Get back to me with your contact information:
Name in full:
Contact Address:
City:
State:
Zipcode:
Country:
Phone#:
Hope this is okay by you.Get back to me with a reasonable reply.
My regards to your family.
Danny Raymond...

----- Original Message -----
From: Danny Raymond; danny_ray002@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, May 06, 2005 8:31 PM
Subject: {APARTMENT FOR RENT}

Greeetings,
I saw your advert concerning the apartment for rent and am very much interested.Kindly get back to me as soon as possible with the present condition and your final asking price, So we can procced for method of payment..
I Await your Urgent Response..
Regards,
Danny Raymond..

Posted by: Jo at May 9, 2005 09:03

And the scams continued. Although now they're getting smart; they're using more anglo-sounding names...see attached. The giveaway is that the info is on the homerentalads site and that he spelled "neighbourhood" in the English style rather than the US style. And also that he forgot to put a name after "Dear".

-----Original Message-----
From: Lawrence Smith [mailto:rence_smith@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2005 2:11 PM
To: gliddenc@adelphia.net
Subject: RE:RENT

Dear,

Is this your 2 Bed 2Bath
still available for rent.If it is, please send me some details about it such as interior pictures,dimensions of the different areas,floor plan and tell me more about
the neighbourhood.
Thanks,
Lawrence

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!

Posted by: Chuck at May 13, 2005 14:24

dude i got the email from the san fran guy. Can someone explain how this is scamming me? he sent me a second letter, here it is:::
Hello,
i thought abt the payment of the first month rent since i am presently in nigeria . so as to make you recieve ur payment for ur first month rent as soon as possible and have the room reserved for me. a clohing company Once owd me some funds in usa before i gat my contract in nigeria and so i was unable to recieve the payment.
i have now spoke to them about getting my money back and they have agreed to pay me back $4000 , so i have told them to issue the check to you since i cant cash a us check in nigeria.so as soon as you recieve the check you can deduct the payment of ur first month rent and have the balance sent to my travellin agency here via MONEY GRAM so i can use it to arrange for my flight ticket to usa .this is the name and address of my travellin agency that you will wire the balance via MONEY GRAM MONEY TRANSFER TO....................
LEKAN ENAHORO
50 CREEK ROAD
APAPALAGOS
NIGERIA
23401.
also let the security question that protect the money gram money transfer be "MOTHER MAIDEN NAME"
and let the answer be "JELS".

Posted by: requiem at May 17, 2005 09:33

Hi Paul great job!

I heard something about these things before and was suspicious as soon as I read Nigeria.
Here is the E mail

HELLO
MY NAME IS MIKAELA SANFRANSISCO, AM FROM AMERICA AND I WAS BORN IN ARIZONA BUT LIVED IN CANADA ALL MY LIFE. I PRESENTLY MODEL FOR KENNETH COLE IN NIGERIA AND PLAN COMIN BACK TO USA BY JUNE 15 AS SOON AS MY COTRACT HERE EXPIRES AND I WANT TO LIVE IN USA. SO I WENT THRU ROOMS IN USA AND I AM REALLY INTRESTED IN RENTING UR PLACE. AND TO BE PRECISED I LIVE IN CANADA ALL MY LIFE AND I
ALSO STUDIED IN CANADA .I MODEL AS MY OCCUPATION AND I AM A
PROFESSIONAL MODEL ,AM CURENTLY IN NIGERIA MODELING FOR KENNETH COLE AND I WILL BE BACK AS SOON AS MY CONTRACT WILL BE OVER AND I WILL BE SO HAPPY TO RENT YOUR APPARTMENT BEFORE THEN.CUS I WILL LOVE TO COME IN DIRECT THERE AND HAVE THE ROOM RENT ALREADY ..........ABOUT THE PAYMENT ,MY EX-BOSS IS READY TO MAKE THE PAYMENT TO YOU. I MODELLED FOR HIM AND IS OWING ME SO I WILL JUST TELL HIM TO SEND YOU A CHECK FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE ROOM.I WILL ALSO LOVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ROOM,THE THING YOU HAVE THERE WHEN I WILL RENT IT AND HOW MUCH I SHOULD PAY IN FULL ,AND I WILL ALSO LOVE IF YOU CAN PLS HELP ME SEND THE PIX OF THE ROOM TO MIKAELAS_SEXYMODEL@YAHOO.COM.WILL BE SO HAPPY TO RENT THE ROOMN AND I WILL BE GLAD IF YOU CAN RESERVE THE PLACE FOR ME TILL JUNE 25 WHEN I HOPE TO COME IN AND MOVE IN DIRECTLY. I ALSO INTEND TO HAVE THE FIRST MONTH RENT PAID NOW AS A FORM OF DEPOSIT SO THAT YOU CAN RESERVE THE PLACE FOR ME.
AS SOON AS YOU AGREE TO RENT THE PLACE TO ME I WILL WANT UR NAME AND ADDRESS SO THAT THE CHECK WILL BE MAILED TO YOU AND GET IT CASHED AND DEDUCT YOUR FIRST MONTH ALLOWANCE AND THEN WIRE THE BALANCE TO MY TRAVELLING AGECNCY SO THAT I CAN USE THE BALANCE YOU WIRED TO BOOK FOR MY FLIGHT BACK TO THE STATE SO YOU CAN HAVE THE ROOM RESERVED FOR ME. AND I WILL PAY THE REST MONTHLY AS SOON AS I MOVE IN.HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.

Posted by: si at May 20, 2005 22:14

Roomates.com is full of these scams. models with the name mikala sanfransisco. if you re a model you dont need a roomate to afford rent. but watch out if you are on the site.

Posted by: jeremy at May 23, 2005 04:18

I too am getting the Chris Morris/ Robert smith emails. The very credible looking check came yesterday. The interesting thing here is that I only have the place listed at a small university website, not a major rent site. To whom do we report these??

>From: Robert Smith [mailto:robertsmithus@hotmail.com]
>Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 11:02 AM
>To: (me)
>Subject: very urgent on behalf of Mr. Chris Morris
>
>
>Dear (me),
>
>
>This is to inform you that I have an arrangement to raise money in your
>favor for the payment of the Apartment for use by Mr. Chris Morris.
>
>However, I want to apologise for my late response as I wanted to be sure
>that the Money is ready before I contact you. Meanwhile, I Have already
>sent to you both the apartment rental fee including the money which Chris
>Morris colleague will use For his visit to USA Totaling $3,800.00
>.Definitely it will get to you three to Five working days from now,please
>when you get the money do kindly take yours and do inform Chris Morris
>about it and how best to send the remaining to Him.
>
>Regards,
>
>MR ROBERT SMITH

Posted by: Elyk at May 27, 2005 18:05

A Macy from Nigeria has been contacting me to rent a room, having her rental agent Lekan Enhoro as a travel agent. They say they will send a check from her last employer that will be too much and if i could mail the balance to the travel agent that would be just fine. I sent an application as an attachment and said I needed a number to speak to her. No application was sent back to me. They sent a number but I will not call after performing a search of the travel agent's name. I see it is a scam.

Posted by: Scott at June 1, 2005 13:17

I had the same scam attempted on me by a fellow posing as Bernard Roy from the UK. Following is a copy of one of the communications I received from him.

Dear Sir/madam
I am Bernard Roy i live in uk.I am going on sabatical leave so i will be relocating to your area with my family in a few weeks time i would want to pay for the rent of the house you advertised on homerentalads.com.I will also want to know your final price for the rent and please let me know if a cashiers check drawn from a U.S bank is okay by you for payment.
I anticipate an urgent response to this regard, as my wife and i are very sure of renting the place.
Regards,
Bernard Roy.
Pls do contact me via email at: nobleconsult_2002@yahoo.com`

Closing: Is there an authority I can have this investigated? Finally, where is the scam, I did not send him monies and informed him that there will be a background check with needed references.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by: Rich at June 2, 2005 19:50

Shit - (Smith)
Lawrence Smith wrote:

Dear Jad,
Thank you so much as I think all will be well with my furniture. I will buck for one year and first of all pay for two months as soon as arrive I will take care of the rest because the two months payment is up front payment from my company for my relocation I would like to send payment to you as early as next week so that my furniture can be delivered as planned.I will also arrive as soon as the payment has been made and the furniture has been delivered becase I dont want to be stranded. Please send me all the necessary cost i.e monthly rent,security deposit, sewer,garbage,heat/power,etc.As for the furniture sizes, they are normal or standard ones.The electronics are also very compactible too.I know it would fit.Get back to me soon.

Warmest regards,

Lawrence.

Posted by: Mario at June 20, 2005 03:00

Blablablablabla :))))))
Stupid PC pirats :)

"tony blair"

dear Jadranko Golusic,thanks for the reply mail.I am really shocked by
all
this credit card malversation.i am sending you my money order with an
extra
amount on it which you will send to the ceramics,skulptures store
manager.It
is my mney order and my money,ok.i dont need all this long stories
about
your family and stuffs like that,all i care about is you understanding
english and doing as i instruct you.IS THIS THE WAY YOU TALK TO
CUSTOMERS
OVER THERE?please underatand me and get back to me as soon as possible
if an
apartment can be reserved stil may15.thanks for understanding,awaiting
your
soonest reply.

Posted by: Mario at June 20, 2005 03:06

"Paul Carr"

Hi jadranko,
Sorry i have not been able to be in contact with you. This was due to the fact that my firmhas decided to take care of the rent payments on the property.

The Firm i work for isknown as CHARLES BOURNE AND PARTNERS UK based in the UK and since most of what i will be doing in the united states will have to be in thier intrest i have convinced them into paying the bills.

As such please send a detailed breakdown of the rent etc and your US bank account details including bank name, account number and routing number to lagos.office@charlesbourneandpartners.com.
Regards
Mr Paul Carr

Posted by: Mario at June 20, 2005 03:09

From: Janet McDornard

Dear Sir?Ma,

Thanks for your reply. i and my sons are willing to arrange for the period of 29.05.2005. and i will like to know the cost for 2 weeks stay in the apartment, and as soon as i hear from you i will contact my husband for the payment arrangement, b'cos my husband is a missionist and he is on missionary program in one west africa country presently. so i will need to inform him everything that is happening.

waiting to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Thanks.
Janet.

Posted by: Mario at June 20, 2005 03:18

Me, too. I advertized a room to rent on Craig's list and received these 2 emails:
HELLO I`M JULAIN SCOTT A 27 YR OLD MODEL, I HAVE BEEN OUT THE STATES FOR A WHILE NOW AND I AM WILLING TO MOVE BACK TO THE STATES, I AM LOOKING FOR A PLACE WHERE I CAN START LIFE ALLOVER AGAIN I NEED A ROOMATE I CAN CALL MY FRIEND AND PROBABLY CONFIDANT I AM SINGLE AND FRIENDLY I AM HUMBLE AND NICE, I HAVE GONE THRU HARDTIMES AND I WANNA JUST START ALLOVER AGAIN I SAW UR ADVERT AND I THOUGHT TO EMAIL YOU IF U HAVE A PLACE FOR ME OR WOULD LIKE TO BE MY ROOMIE, I AM ON YAHOOMAIL WE COULD CHAT ON THERE OR YOU JUST EMAIL ME,
(OYIN_TAYO@YAHOO.COM)I WOULD LIKE TO RECIEVE AN EMAIL FROM YOU SOON COS I WOULD LOVE TO MOVE IN THIS MONTH,I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO COME SEE THE PLACE MY SELF BUT I AM NOT PRESENTLY IN THE STATES AND WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT SO I WOULD BE TRUSTING THE DESCRIPTION ABO,THIS IS MY PHONE NUMBER YOU CAN GIVE ME A CALL,234-8028116296.
THE AMOUNT WILL BE ISSUE ON THE CHECK IS $3000 COS THAT IS THE AMOUNT MY EX BOSS WANT TO PAY ME THAT IS WHY AND AS SOON AS U GET THE CHECK DEDUCT UR MONEY U WILL SEND THE REST TO MY AGENT SO THAT HE CAN MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT TO MY TICKET SO THAT I CAN BE ABLE TO COME OVER TO MY APARTMENT THANKS MAIL BACK AS SOON AS U RECEIVE THIS MAIL THANKS
and
HELLO
MY NAME IS ANGELA MARTINS AM FROM AMERICA AND I WAS BORN IN FLORIDA BUT LIVED IN MIAMI ALL MY LIFE. I PRESENTLY MODEL FOR NEXT IN NIGERIA AND PLAN COMIN BACK TO USA BY JUNE 30 AS SOON AS MY COTRACT HERE EXPIRES AND I WANT TO LIVE IN USA. SO I WENT THRU ROOMS IN USA AND I AM REALLY INTRESTED IN RENTING UR PLACE. AND TO BE PRECISED I LIVE IN MIAMI ALL MY LIFE AND I
ALSO STUDIED IN MIAMI .I MODEL AS MY OCCUPATION AND I AM A
PROFESSIONAL MODEL ,AM CURENTLY IN NIGERIA MODELING FOR NEXT AND I WILL BE BACK AS SOON AS MY CONTRACT WILL BE OVER AND I WILL BE SO HAPPY TO RENT YOUR APPARTMENT BEFORE THEN.CUS I WILL LOVE TO COME IN DIRECT THERE AND HAVE THE ROOM RENT ALREADY ..........ABOUT THE PAYMENT ,MY EX-BOSS IS READY TO MAKE THE PAYMENT TO YOU. I MODELLED FOR HIM AND IS OWING ME SO I WILL JUST TELL HIM TO SEND YOU A CHECK FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE ROOM.I WILL ALSO LOVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ROOM,THE THING YOU HAVE THERE WHEN I WILL RENT IT AND HOW MUCH I SHOULD PAY IN FULL ,AND I WILL ALSO LOVE IF YOU CAN PLS HELP ME SEND THE PIX OF THE ROOM TO ANGELAMARTINS_80@YAHOO.COM.I WILL BE SO HAPPY TO RENT THE ROOM AND I WILL BE GLAD IF YOU CAN RESERVE THE PLACE FOR ME TILL JULY 5 WHEN I HOPE TO COME IN AND MOVE IN DIRECTLY. I ALSO INTEND TO HAVE THE FIRST MONTH RENT PAID NOW AS A FORM OF DEPOSIT SO THAT YOU CAN RESERVE THE PLACE FOR ME.AND AS SOON AS YOU AGREE TO RENT THE PLACE TO ME I WILL WANT UR NAME AND ADDRESS SO THAT THE CHECK WILL BE MAILED TO YOU AND GET IT CASHED AND DEDUCT YOUR FIRST MONTH ALLOWANCE AND THEN WIRE THE BALANCE TO MY TRAVELLING AGECNCY SO THAT I CAN USE THE BALANCE YOU WIRED TO BOOK FOR MY FLIGHT BACK TO THE STATE SO YOU CAN HAVE THE ROOM RESERVED FOR ME. AND I WILL PAY THE REST MONTHLY AS SOON AS I MOVE IN.HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.
ANGELA MARTINS

Wish someone could do somethin about it!!

Posted by: Louise at June 30, 2005 05:11

I was totally and utterly scammed. It was my first time doing a sublet, and this was all new to me. I was too innocent. It was my fault for believing that all human beings are good. Obviously they are not. I e-mailed back and forth so many times with this f**king a**hole who just scammed me like this. Same person: Lekan Enahoro. Some b***h said she was a model and sent me pictures too. How could have I been so innocent?

Posted by: LOST at July 11, 2005 16:43

This is the last message I got from LEKAN ENAHORO aka pablo_leeds_picasso@yahoo.com. Thanks so much for this site. I would have been out of about 3300.00 dollars had I cashed his check and send him the money gram he was requesting. WHAT A FREAK!!!!
HELLO,
> HOW ARE YOU TODAY,I HOPE ALL IS KOOL WITH YOU,IT
> IS ME,I WILL LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE GOTEN THE CHECK
> THAT WAS MAILED TO YOU BY MY BOSS,IT WILL BE COMING
> FROM Gyoung-Nam Kwon.
> ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DEDUCT THE MONEY FOR THE
> PET FROM IT AND SEND THE REST TO ME VIA MONEY
> GRAM,THE REST WILL BE FOR MY FLIGHT BACK TO YOU IN
> UNITED STATE.
> I WANT YOU TO SEND THE REST OF THE MONEY VIA
> MONEY GRAM TO MY FLIGHT MANAGER INFORMATION, HE IS
> RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANIZING MY FLIGHT BACK TO YOU IN
> THE STATE.
> THIS IS THE INFORMATION WHERE THE MONEY WILL BE
> SENT TO VIA MONEY GRAM
>
> NAME-------- LEKAN ENAHORO
> ADDRESS---- 50 GREEK ROAD
> CITY ------ APAPA
> STATE------ LAGOS
> ZIP-------- 23401
> COUNTRY---- NIGERIA
> YOU CAN SEACH FOR A MONEY GRAM LOCATION AT
> ,WWW.MONEYGRAM.COM....
> YOU MIGHT NEED A SECURITY QUETION AND ANSWER WHEN
> SENDING THE MONEY ,LET IT BE
> QUETION ...... FAVOURITE FRIEND
> ANSWER ........ LORD
> AS SOON AS YOU HAVE SENT THE REST OF THE MONEY GET
> BACK TO ME WITH THE REFRENCE NUMBER ON THE RECIEPT AND
> ALSO THE TOTAL AMOUNT SENT.
> I CANT WAIT TO BE THERE WITH YOU,PLS WHAT IS
> THE CLOSEST AIRPORT TO YOUR HOME,CAN YU PICK ME UP AT
> THE AIRPORT.
> YOUR SINCERELY
>
>
>

Posted by: Mrs, Smith at July 13, 2005 00:55

We just received a $4000.00 chech thru Qchex, from a Island Title in Florida signed by Cheyenne Beatty to rent our apartment for Edytka Jakubiak. Our apt is near Salt Lake City. It is also UNFURNISHED. This 'young Russian girl' sent the extra $ to cover furnishings, however, I was to cash the check IMMEDIATELY and wire the balance to St. Petersburg Russia to a Damilare Babasanya because she 'has arrangemenet with furniture company to furnish the residence'. I only asked 'her' for $800.00. Then when I let them know I am on to them, threats on my life began!!!

Posted by: Rona Terburg at July 25, 2005 20:54

I just recently posted my house for rent and I got the same exact scam with an Advanced Overpayment. Here are two of the emails to watch out for: mrsjenna_white@yahoo.co.uk. stephen_jenning@yahoo.com. I'm glad I did my research online and find this site. Hope this help!

Posted by: Thao at July 26, 2005 21:57

I also got the same exact scam when I posted an ad on Craigslist. But they've mixed it up a bit. The name used was Jane Wilson. She claimed to be a model in West Africa. The first response wasn't too suspicious. But by the second email she also asked me to add up the full amount for the year.

Here's the bit when she gets down to business:

"As regards payment my mom has a client in the US that owes her some money,so he will be making out a US check out in your name and as soon as the Check gets to you take it to your bank or as soon as you cash the US Check, then i will move over and then hand over the remaining balance of the lease to you once i come over to meet you in person,i am always online which you can as well set up a yahoo messenger its free , you can add me to your messanger list if ,well i need the name as you want it to appear on the US Check and also the address to send the Check to,because it will take 3 to4 days for a Check sent from here(west africa) to clear in the US but a Check sent within the US will clear instantly.I also need your full name ,which the CHECK will be issued in,and your address which the Check will be sent,and let me know what bank you bank with ,and also your contact phone number:

Posted by: K. Johnson at August 8, 2005 20:01

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Posted by: Aktar at August 19, 2005 00:49

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Posted by: Aktar at August 19, 2005 00:51

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Posted by: Aktar at August 19, 2005 01:05

I was going to buy a place to make money, investment so I put an add in roomate.com Oh my!! Just crazy people from UK through Nigeria and all models sending me plenty of money. I made the mistake to give my phone number and address perhaps. One guy called me saying it was on behalf of one of the models. Sure! In 2 weeks like 6 of them!! When I yelled at them or ask which company they are going to work, disappear. My friend scammed them back. It was fun.
CAN ANYBODY TELL ME WHAT DO THEY EARN DOING THIS? OH AND IT IS NOT ABOUT EUROPEANS. IM ONE OF THEM AND IT IS ABOUT CRAZY NIGERIANS? OR WHATEVER THEY ARE.

Posted by: monica at September 7, 2005 01:29

Hi, so what every happened with that Bayo Morgan scam thing. Just wondering because someone has contacted me on line with the same name and I am trying to figure out if he is a scammer or what. Thanks Paul.

Posted by: kristi at September 10, 2005 17:00

Here's my story:

planet_jerry: Hi, it's Jerry from Roommates.com
larryjay4me: Gud
larryjay4me: I am larry
planet_jerry: hang on...
planet_jerry: Hello
larryjay4me: artefacts research consultant with
larryjay4me: asian arts inc.
larryjay4me: I am on a proposed trip to the states
larryjay4me: how are u/
planet_jerry: when will you arrive/leave?
larryjay4me: wht time is it there now in Ca?
planet_jerry: 1:00 a.m.
larryjay4me: I should be in the states on or b4 Friday next week
larryjay4me: here is the arrangement
larryjay4me: Would u be able to come over to pick me from the airport?
larryjay4me: I will have 2 email u my travel itinerary
planet_jerry: if you arrive on a weekend, i can pick you up.
larryjay4me: enroute Africa to China!
larryjay4me: China to the states
larryjay4me: What do u for a living?
planet_jerry: computer programmer
larryjay4me: Would u describe the room once more
planet_jerry: it's in the advertisement. it's 10x10 feet (a little larger than 3x3m). Small house. Large yard. Good location.
larryjay4me: great
larryjay4me: I have to tell u explain this tou
larryjay4me: the company principle is that a check will have to be endorsed in your name
larryjay4me: the check will be for the rent and my air fares to the states
larryjay4me: U will have to send the air fares to me once you receive the check .This will be done via western union www.westernunion.com
planet_jerry: I am happy to do so after the check clears. How much is it for?
larryjay4me: $6,875.50
larryjay4me: the word clears should not get in there
larryjay4me: its a cashiers check and a company issued one that is as good as cash
larryjay4me: it means that u will just get it deposited and the funds will be available therefor you to wire to me
planet_jerry: If it's a cashiers check, it should clear immediately. Then I will be happy to forward the difference.
larryjay4me: alright
larryjay4me: have u sent money western union/
planet_jerry: yes.
larryjay4me: could u get this done online
planet_jerry: sure.
larryjay4me: u have a credit card for that capacity?
planet_jerry: i can take care of the details here, no problem.
larryjay4me: well i would want u to re-confirm the details for the payment once again
larryjay4me: hold on i have a call
larryjay4me: an official cal!
planet_jerry: it's time for me to go to bed. when should i expect the check?
larryjay4me: gud
larryjay4me: i have just been called by the accounts officer
larryjay4me: iwould be forwarding your details to him asap
larryjay4me: he will disburse and dispatch the payment out on thursday
larryjay4me: It should get to you on or before wednesday next week
larryjay4me: ok
planet_jerry: ok. I look forward to meeting you.
larryjay4me: u have car?
larryjay4me: how much will it cost to hire a car?
larryjay4me: u club? u party what do u do for a leisure
larryjay4me: I have just be told that the check will be from a Bank Of America
larryjay4me: is that ur bank?
larryjay4me: have just be told that the check will be from a Bank Of America
larryjay4me: is that ur bank?
planet_jerry: everyone in los angeles has a car.
It costs about $30/day to hire your own car, or about $20/trip to hire one depending on where you go to.
planet_jerry: it's time for me to sleep. i'll write to you when i receive the check. or you can write to me if you'd like to know the status. good night.

Posted by: jerry at September 12, 2005 09:17

INFACT ...THIS IS A SURPRISED TO HEAR SOMEBODY IS A MAGA PLS..WHO IS A MAGA ?WHITE MAN OR BLACK MAN?...COS THEY CALL ME MAGA AND THEY SCAM ME FOR $40000.00
PLS TELL ME

Posted by: LEKAN JOSHON at September 21, 2005 01:24

I posted an ad on craigslist and within three days I had five different models asking for my address so they could send me a check- without me even posting any pictures!. I found this rather odd so did a search and here I am. Here was the first one I got-

Hello,my name is joy jones delia,i am a 26yr old,i am a model,very responsible,clean,trustworthy and down to earth.interested in your apartment, i am presently searching for a room with so much zeal ,i have been out of the states for a while, and i am coming back home soon,i am in benin
republic which is a french speaking country at the moment on a modelling contract with polo
clothing line thats something big, i saw ur profile and i am really interested in ur room my agency as approved funds for me, for housing allowance and some other allowances. plz,let me have the info about the house and how much do i have to pay in all, and plz do u receive money orders as mode of payment cos my agency can would prefer to pay as soon as possible .

followed by-
Hello _______, (the blank was actually in the email even though my name is in my email address)
Thanks for prompt response to my mail but I just got off the phone now with my associate in the US who is indebted to me as regard business transaction as at last month in the states.He's suppose to send me a payment down here in West Africa,but the banks here just told me it will take a minimum of 30 days for such foreign check to clear the bank here in West Africa.But i could instruct him(my associate) to send you the payment in the US and makes it a bit faster by sending you some money orders instead, so as to fasten this payment for the room.He will issue you the payment which is $5,950. You will only need to cash the payment and get your cost of the room for one month deducted and the one time refundable deposit and also half the utilities. while you will have the balance wire via MONEY GRAM or Westernunion to me so that i can get a plane ticket and take care of some bills.i am really interested in this room,and i think this will be the only easiest and safest way i could get the payment remmited to you and from all inference it's about the fastest way i could seal up the TRANSACTION If you will comply with my condition of payment, please send me an acknowledgement of this mail and give me assurance for trusting you with my FUNDS and the Transaction. And i will instruct my associte to issue the Payment in your name and i will want you to send me your phone number incase i want to reach you on phone. If all this arrangement is okay with you please get back to me with your full name,address,and your phone number so that the payment can be mail out to you by monday,get back to me as soon as possible. Regards BLESS.....

and then I get from a different girl-
I am thelma franklyn a model based in united kingdom i will like to rent your room because i want to relocate to united states of america ,i am a tolerant person i neither drink alcohol nor smoke .i will like you to contact me back if you are willing to give out the room to me ,i will also be appreciative if you can accomodate me ,thanks.
I also don't mind paying the price given [$475],contact me back asap so i can issue out payment for the room.
regards
thelma franklyn

strange right? this had scam written all over it.
Don't fall for it.

Posted by: Emily Kearney at October 1, 2005 08:02

New one just starting out;

Recived a check in the mail for a condo I am renting. The rental was for $1350.00
The check was made out for $5,000 (a bit of an overpayment)

The nice man call to tell me how his associate had sent the check. And he did confirm to me that he made a terrible mistake of sending an overpayment.The overpayment was suppose to be for the agency that is processing his flight ticket and other related travelling expenses.

And he needed the money ASAP, he was on his way, and need the money to get the rest of the way there.

Oh my god, I need to go to Western Union right away!! this poor man is stuck somewhere.

Ok, well it was a good try, this is his email.
I think I will call the bank tomorrow to ask if the check has cleared

Someone wana send him some cash to get home on?

********************************************

Thanks very much for your transparency and honesty!
I just got off the phone with my associate that sent the check.And he did confirm to me that he made a terrible mistake of sending an overpayment.The overpayment was suppose to be for the agency that is processing my flight ticket and other related travelling expenses.
So I will like you to kindly deduct your own part of the money for the rentals and get the remaining sent to the information below via a western union money transfer company:
Name : opute Abiewu
Airline ticketting Nig.ltd
Address:8 Allen avenue,Ikeja.
Lagos.Nig.23401
Contact Phone#:+2348060355950.

Deduct whatever is the service charge from the money and send the rest.
NOTE THIS:you will do me a favour by telling the western union that you are sending it to a friend in the agency,so that the charges for receiving the money here will be less,otherwise it will be high.
Here are some reccommended western union oulet where you can get the money sent,incase you are unable to get one:

After sending it,do get back with the following details with which to receive the money here:

Sender's name............

Sender's address.................

Control number(MTCN)..............

Test question & answer............

Try and do that quickly so that the agency can be quick on my flight ticket.

Email with the directions to the unit.

regards

steve

Posted by: Bri at October 5, 2005 23:02

NEWEST ATTEMPT FROM LARRY (larryjay4me@yahoo.co.uk)

His email:

Hello,
Im interested in purchasing your Los Angeles Lakers Licensed GM Series Watch which was advertised in my store via Yahoo Auctions.com,at take it price of $90.00 will be making payment to you through ther means of a Certified Cashiers Check Payable to you in the /US American Funds.

About the shipping i will want you to calculate the cost of the item to me and as well as the shipping of the item,and let me know the overall price,,,,,As the item is going to our new opened store in New York.You can get back to me with your real name ,physical mailing address and telephone numbers in order for me to proceed about the payment ,,,,

I will be waiting to read from you soon

Have a wonderful day and remain blessed

Regards

Larry

WILL KEEP YOU POSTED

HERE IS ANOTHER ONE TO BEWARE OF:

fittingwoods@yahoo.com (james wood)
I AM James Woods A SALES AGENT ON JEWERLY AND
WRIST WATCHES.I WISH TO CONTACT YOU IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF YOUR AD [ DET. RED WINGS OFFICIALLY LICENSED GM SERIES WATCH ]POSTED ON THE SITE HEREBY MATCH THE CHOICE OF MY CLIENT'S INTREST.IN WHICH I DO REQUIRE TO KNOW THE FINAL ASKING AMOUNT AND PRESENT STATE OF IT.GET
BACK TO ME ASAP

HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON
James

Hi James,
The Detroit Red Wings Officially Licensed GM Series Watch is brand new. There is a buy it now price of $84.99. If you would be so kind to provide me with your zip code, I would be happy to provide you with the shipping cost.

ACR Gallery

james wood wrote:
>
> Good day.
> Thank for the reply, i will be buying 20 pieces of
> the watch at the rate of $75 each. This good will be
> export to my store in africa. If you are satisfied
> with the price, you can get to me with your full
> contact address so that the payment will be made
> immediately via cheqque.
> Expect your response soonest,
> James

--- acr gallery wrote:
Hello James,
> Unfortunately I do not have that many in stock. I
> am, however, expecting a shipment at the end of this
> month that you could expect delivery on the middle
> of October. These watches retail at $99.95 (US). I
> don't make a lot of money on each watch, as I do not
> sell them at the retail price. Because of the lower
> price offer I would like us to split the cost of
> shipping. Are you still interested

ACR Gallery
(i told him make the check out to:
ACR Gallery and mail it to my post office box, which he did! which suprised the he** out of me!)

james wood wrote:
>
> Sorry for not being in touch for some days,
> I was slightly down. all the same i have deligated a
> friend who is also a client of mine to handle the
> payment for me because i dont want to miss the
> goods.
> So expect the payment in the address given any
> moment
> from now.
> Sorry for any inconviniences
> JAMES

--- acr gallery wrote:

> Hi James,
> Can you provide me with an address for shipping so I
> can calculate the shipping cost?
> Thanks, ACR Gallery

james wood wrote:
>
>
> Good day,
> I await your response because i expect you to have
> gotten my payment.
> Bye
> JAMES

Thanks for the mail. The address and in the info goes
thus
ASHOGBON BISIRIYU
42 ANIFOWOSE STREET,
VICTORIA ISLAND,
LAGOS, NIGERIA.
Just mail me immediately you receive my the payment.
But there is a miss up somewhere from the friend
handling the payment for me. Money gram of $4000 with
the no 4667611246 was sent you which is meant for
another partner but all these same "i think" i can
trust you with the remaining change after removing
your payment. Some important, just mail me when you
get the payment.
Bye James

--- acr gallery wrote:
> Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 15:27:48 -0700 (PDT)
> From: acr gallery
> Subject: Re: DET. RED WINGS OFFICIALLY LICENSED GM
> SERIES WATCH
> To: james wood
>
> Hi James,
> No, I have not yet received the payment. You
> supplied me with the check number, but can you tell
> me when it was sent? I have been looking for it
> every day.
>ACR Gallery

--- acr gallery wrote:

> Hi James,
> I just wanted to let you know that I have received the check (post mark was from S.C.). The watches are being held for you and as
> soon as the check clears, the watches and the
> reimbursement monies will be sent back to you. They
> will be sent seperately, as the watches will be sent
> from the warehouse.
ACR Gallery

---james wood wrote:
Thanks for the mail, i have being wondering what could
have happen along the line but all the same just keep
inform as soon as the you clear the check so that i
can give you the necessary info.
James

--- acr gallery wrote:

James,

The Money Gram will not clear, they tell me this particular money gram (4667611246) was previously cashed on July 14, 2005, and cannot be accepted. Please provide me with an address so I can return the money gram to you.

If you are still interested in purchasing the watches you can go to PayPal.com and send payment to acrgallery@sbcglobal.net. The total will be $****.00, which will also cover the cost of shipping to Nigeria.

I can still understand for now, let me speak to my
client that made the payment, then i will call you
back.
James

(never did get his address)

TO DATE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM HIM AND DON'T EXPECT TO!
acr gallery

HERE IS ANOTHER ONE;
(I received 5 of these regarding different watches)

A question has been posted to your Auction by shaddex0074real on Sep 14
13:23 2005 PDT.

1. AUCTION INFORMATION

Auction ID: 93091273
Auction Title: PATRIOTS 2005 CHAMPIONSHIP COACH SERIES
Auction URL: http://page.auctions.yahoo.com/auction/93091273

2. RESPONDING TO THE QUESTION:

The question is:

"DEAR SELLER, I AM MRS SHADE JANNET FROM USI AM URGENTLY
INTERESTED IN PURCHASING 10 PIECES OF THIS YOUR ITEM TO ONE OF MY
COMPANY IN AFRICA FOR SALES AND I WILL PREFER MAKING MY PAYMENT VIA MONEY
GRAM INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT SO I WANT YOU TO GET BACK TO ME WITH YOUR FULL
CONTACT ADDRESS AND THE TOTAL COST OF THE TWO ITEM WITH THE SHIPPMENT
COST, HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. pls reply to shaddex0074real@yahoo.com
REGARDS,
MRS SHADE JANNET. "

we went back and forth thru yahoo questions thold her to make payment through PayPal and this is how it Played out:

Mrs. Jannet,
This is what I currently have in stock regarding the watches you are interested in. I will be receiving another shipment the end of this month for delivery in mid October, but there will be no more Patriots Championship Series watches If you would like to contact me at the end of the month to complete the additional items requested you may do so at the above email address. All monies are in U.S. Dollars.

10- Patriots Championship GM Series
2 - Detroit Red Wings Sapphire Series
6 - Detroit Tigers Player Series
6 - Detroit Lions Player Series
10 - Patriots Championship Coach Series
For a total of $******** + shipping = $**** US Dollars


Send payment via Paypal to:
acrgallery@sbcglobal.net
The sooner I receive payment, the sooner we can get these shipped before I run out of stock on some of these items.

Cordially,
ACR Gallery

Dear Acr Gallery,
I will need your full contact address b4 going to the payment so get back to me asap.

Mrs. Janet.
Contact info as requested

ACR Gallery
PO Box *****
*********, ** *****

Please provide me with your full contact info please, it will be needed for shipping.

Cordially,
ACR Gallery

shade janet wrote:

Hello,
my shipping address is:
Name: Tope Olaosebikan
Address: 12 sobande avenue oremeji mokola
City:ibadan
State:oyo
Zip code:23402
COuntry:Nigeria
pls i want you to go for the shippment asap becos i need the item urgent and send me the tracking number and i promise i will go foi your payment too asap.

wrote:

Mrs, Janet,

I cannot ship until I receive payment. That is company policy.

Cordially,
ACR Gallery

shade janet wrote:
Dear Acr Gallery,

Why u cant not ship until you receive payment, dont you know that but of us are risking it, assuming i pay you first too and you dont send me my package, what should you expect me to do, i get some buyer like that, that i have pay them and they dont send me my package, so if you know you are still interested in this deal what we can only do it that, the customer service i make the payment through, you will give thier customer care the tracking numner of the shippment for verification so after they get you paid, you will now give me the tracking number so get back to me asap.

Mrs. Janet,
Go to www.PayPal.com and check them out

acr gallery wrote:

Do you let people take merchandise from your store without paying first? I have a good reputation on the auctions and I don't rip people off, but I also will not send something without receiving payment in advance. I dont know any retail store that will let you take something from their store or warehouse on the promise that they will pay. Check out PayPal, it is much safer than sending money via, western union, cashiers check or money order.

shade janet wrote:

No that is what others use to say before they fraud me, what i can do it that you should send me half of the item after you give me the tracking number of the half and i confirm i will pay you your money and you will send me the remaining item.

acr gallery wrote:

Sorry, I don't do business that way. Everyone else pays me first and then I ship. I am not a fraud. I run a ligitimate business and I have no intention of putting myself in a position of spending time in jail by frauding people. I would not have a business if I was a fraud or sending merchandise that has not been paid for. I am sorry this did not work out, but I will not do business that way. Good luck finding someone that does.

END OF TRANSMISSIONS!
Can't believe that people try this crap!

Posted by: ACR Gallery at October 14, 2005 06:58

I got scammed as well....Only I got the check in the mail and it was a JP Morgan Chase Bank check on a business account for Asia Commercial Bank ( dont banks usually have their own checking accounts at their own bank?) The check was for 6,900 US and came from Vietnaum via Nigeria but made to seem like it was from UK. The name used to scamm (or try too) me was david richardson.

Posted by: Christopher at November 9, 2005 05:25

I liked this one, it amused me for a bit..... I knew it was a scam. I posted to CL in Toronto.... this 'woman' was moving to the 'state' as many are.
Dear ,

Good day this is the respond to your AD for a
rooommate, i want to know if the room is still
available. If it still available i will want you
to
sent me a picture of the palce and any
facilities
you have as an addition to the monthly rent. I
am
27
year old lady widower and profession model,
easygoing tpye and maturely minded, non smoker,

occasional drinker and a pet lover, i am willing
to
share a bathroom and a house with you
irrespective
of the sex and your believe and your sexual
orientation. As long as we both respect our
privacy,
i will appreciate if you have sent me the detail
as
for the payment and the soonest time i can move
in
and any addtional information to me as for the
rent
and deposit to me made, i will appreciate if
this
is
done on time because of my urgent need for it ,
you
cantact me thru my e-mail jennylowe2@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you,

jennifer.
(Note, all the info she asked about, was listed in my ad, including my being female.)
*******************************************

My response.

Hi I do not have pictures I can send

It is located at bl*** and *****
the rent is 450
deposit of one months rent required
Includes utilities, cable and phone.

********************************************
'her' almost immediate reply......

Thank you for your quick respond,i'm very happy
that
you reply my mail on time since i'm in a desprate
situation to secure an accomodation and return
back
to the state .i will be very please if we can
arrnage this as soon as possible ,i am sorry but i
am hard in hearing , i only use sign language and
i
read lip too .

i am currently not in the state bacuase i left
with
my husband two year ago to Spain, where we got
married and happily live together not untill we
were involved in a fire accident and lost our
house and he died from a gas poision he was in our
apartment sleeping at the time of the fire, he has
burn to a state of no recongonition and all that
we
have and labour for gone up in a smoke. I have no
other choice then to have him cremented and the
ashes kept.

i have no life here because everywhere i turn to
hold his memory. i have since then being in a
small
motel untill i could arrange for my return back to
the state.

I 'm currently homeless since we have put up our
apartment when we left the state. that is more of
>and
quite reasonabley,i hope you understanding of my
situation, So i will not be able to be there
presently to inspect the House but i believe that
a
roof over my head when i get back to the state
will
do till i can found any other place if i feel
uncomfortable living in your place.

i will appreciate if you will give me a detail
description of the place and any other facilities
availiable for us. My old place is in New
york,Park
slope 11th street, but i dont want to live ther
bcos
it will bring me to people who know me and my
husband and a lot of question will be ask which i
dont think i have answer for. i want a change,new
people new life i works as a model while in the
state and i am also qualifed to be a secratry here

in amstardam but rigth now i must confess to you
i'm
presently unemployed but i can easily get job when
> i
> > get back into the state, i'm easygoing type of
> > person,i'm friendly
> >
> > i need your so that i can secure an accomodation
> be
> > i finally ready to leave this country, since i am
> > currently residing in an hotel now, so i hope you
> > will find it in your heart to help me thru this
> > since i will not be around to inspect the
> apartment
> > myself but i believev you jugdement of the place
> > will do just fine i am willing to make deposit now
> > so that i have have the place secure so you dont
> > have to worry about if i will take the place or
> > not.Just sent me your detail and i will make all
> the
> > necessary arrangement which will include a deposit
> > sent to you. i want you to remember you are doing
> > this as a help, just think you are helping a lady
> in
> > destress.
> > jenny.
> >
> > N.b please include your contact information,name
> > and address also your number too.
> >

I then asked...... as this was really amusing me.....

> mj wrote:Are you a legal
> resident of Canada?
> Are you currently employed here?

Thank you for your no know am not from canada i am
> currently not in canada now bacuase i left with my
> husband two year ago to Spain, where we got married
> and happily live together not untill we were
> involved in a fire accident and lost our house and
> he died from a gas poision he was in our apartment
> sleeping at the time of the fire, he has burn to a
> state of no recongonition and all that we have and
> labour for gone up in a smoke. I have no other
> choice then to have him cremented and the ashes
kept.
i have no life here because everywhere i turn to
hold his memory. i have since then being in a small
motel untill i could arrange for my return back to
the canada.
Thank you,
> Jenny.

Not a big surprise, but i passed....

Posted by: mj at December 19, 2005 03:43

Here's another, I was in a bad mood that day, bit back at him, and posted it to CL.
Notice, that he sent an email, that included information from another prospective 'mark'.

robert william hoover wrote:

Hello Dear,
My name is robert williams , anyway I am
writing just to confirm if you still have your room for which i
show in crigslist rent/..............If YES Please I will
like to have answers to the following questions below:
1. I will like to have the description of the room, size, and the
equipments in there.
Approx 12x12 with large closet. It's not furnished.
2. I will like to have the rent fee per month plus the utilities.
550.00 mo + 1/3 utilities (approx $40/mo)
3. Also I will like to know if there is any garage or parking space
cos I will have my own car come over.
Plenty of street parkings.
4. I will also be coming with some of my furniture, that is if the
room is not funished and if furnitures are allowed, like bed, book
shelf cos I read alot, shoe rank etc
No problem but no shoes on in the house because the house is carpeted.
5. I will also like to know if I can make an advance payment ahead
my arrival that will be stand as a kind of commitment that I am
truely coming over and for you to hold the room down for me.
Yes
6. If the #5 questions is YES, I will like to know the total cost
for the my initial move as in first month rent and if you accept
deposit.
One month security deposit that will return to you when moving out plus the rent of the month you move in.
7. Lastly, I will like to know more about you and also I will like
to have your pics as for me to know how my roommate to be looks
like.
I am male and currently working at a POS system company. The other guy is an Electrical engineer. We both quite and are easy to get along.
8. Payment mode.
is check or money order
I will be very glad to have all this questions answered with out
leaving a stone unturned...
...
I am a very dedicated individual who is totally committed to human
development, friendly, very trustworthy and value relationship
above anything. I love travelling,sporting and enjoy meeting people
around the world. I am an easy going person and like to have an
apartment/roommate who is very responsible and understanding,
someone I can really get along with.
I will take my time to get you one of my pics in my next email ,so
that you can know how I look like, I am sure you will like me. I am
presently in UK, and I will be moving to the USA fully, to start a
new life and get my own business after 10 years of service in the
fashion home in East London here... I will be staying in your
apartment for a 4 month. or less depending on how the lease
is drawn.
I will be arriving the state ending of this month
noverber 2005......Fortunately, I saw your advert
on rooms listed for rent/roommate in craigslist.com and I am
sincerely interested in the room as advertised. I need answers to
my 9 questions above as soon as possible so as to arrange for you
to get the money prior for my arrival as the company client that I
worked for before I quit wants to arrange for the payment. And I
will like to make an advance payment ahead my arrival so that you
can be rest assured that this is real since I am not in the states
presently.
If you think I will be a good to rent/roommate to you and you are
interested in renting with my kind of person kindly email me back.
your imformation, full name, address, phone number to enable me
make the payment.
Thanks and have a good day and may God bless you.
Warmest Regards,
Rober Williams

My reply below

You gotta be kidding me, look, no international, and, check your email before sending, it is clear this is a scam, and there is no way in hell, that i will fall for it
grow up and stop trying to rip people off, I hope no one falls for this crap. I will forward your email to craigslist, so they all know not to fall for this.

Posted by: mj at December 19, 2005 03:54

I know it is late for my posting...but you should have looked at our website Flatmatclick.co.uk - We have a reference system and a VPID with which you can check your flatmate before moving together.

Scammers are usually Models (male and female) from outside Europe, which will explain you that you have to cash a check for them and send some money back (often with Western Union).

Joel

Posted by: Flatshare at January 4, 2006 20:11

Hi
I'm a freelance journalist writing an article on the top 10 latest scams for the UK edition of Reader's Digest magazine, and I wanted to include a short section on the rental scam. Would you be willing to be quoted in the article? Most of the information I would need is on your website, but it would be nice to have a quick chat to get a quote, and contact details (anybody who has posted comments on here could also get in touch).
My number is 020 7193 6212 or you can contact me by e-mail.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Harvey Jones

Posted by: Harvey Jones at February 14, 2006 08:18

I am amazed at how easy it is to be taken advantage of when one is from an area where there are lots of international students and business is done on the web. The person scamming me is named "John Roy" claiming to be French art student. Father to send check in excess of rent and deposit...please return excess for his travel costs, etc. I got so far as to receive his money order, which my bank confirmed was counterfeit, and I have the contact information of his "travel agent" in London to send him $$ via Western Union. Is there any way this information can be used to nab anybody?

Posted by: Astrid at February 19, 2006 21:53

My experience with model Julian Scott reported here (with a link back to this post): http://gopliberty.blogspot.com/2006/02/im-being-stalked-by-29-year-old-model.html

Posted by: Libertarian Republican at February 20, 2006 04:45

I feel so relieved. Not only that I havent been duped but also that I'm not going mad.
I have had emails from

Jennifer Monica
Mark Dennis
Suredal Joshi
Jennifer d Costa
Cynthia Woo
queenblues_01@yahoo.co.uk
daniel_147@swissmail.net

Some asking for bank details others claiming to send cheques.

WE MUST BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE ANYONE ELSE GETS CONNED.

Posted by: Katrina Fox at March 6, 2006 17:15

I have a really good way to weed out these scoundrels fast. I rent a studio apartment in Baltimore for short-term stays. I get these emails regularly. As soon as I ascertain that the person is from another country I tell them that I require, among other information, the name and contact information of their Baltimore contact. They don't respond.............

Posted by: Jon at March 7, 2006 13:15

I have a really good way to weed out these scoundrels fast. I rent a studio apartment in Baltimore for short-term stays. I get these emails regularly. As soon as I ascertain that the person is from another country I tell them that I require, among other information, the name and contact information of their Baltimore contact. They don't respond.............

Posted by: Jon at March 7, 2006 13:23

I got 2 e-mails in response to a kiteboarding ad that were almost identical, so I got suspicious and checked the names. That lead me to this website. Here are the names and e-mails:

"Edytka Jakubiak"
edytkaj@yahoo.com

and

jenna_0082@yahoo.com

Posted by: D at April 3, 2006 15:10

I am making a nice little collection of fake cashiers checks - they look good framed and mounted ;) - and they cost the scammers a pretty penny to have made - they are quality forgeries that will fool a banker until they fail to clear.

Posted by: steve at April 8, 2006 00:15

Thanks for posting these. I just realized I'm getting scammed on my apartment sublease. Good thing I realized it before it got too far! Nothing like trusting your gut instincts.

Posted by: Jessica at April 18, 2006 20:41

I am in the middle of one right now from "Dawn Park" who is from Australia and wants to rent my room. SHe has already sent me the checks and I put them in the bank and now they have been in for 6 days and shes trying to hurry me to get her back $4200 so she can get on a plan by the weekend. I dont know what to do now!

Posted by: jessica at April 18, 2006 21:34

jessica: whatever you do, don't under any circumstances send "her" any money. Don't reply to any further emails. Do keep a copy of any you receive though for evidence.

Contact your local fraud squad, which you'll be able to find through the police.

Good luck!

Posted by: Paul M at April 18, 2006 21:38

Here is "Dawn Park" last email to me. I sent her a copy of a article I found on renting scams and she claims to have never heard of such a thing! And thanks for the advise I am going to do that.

The money orders were sent to you from one of my company's agents in Ohio as they told me so it's better you call the company's major Head in u.k because the one here in cyprus(turkish republic) and Ohio and like affliates. Just say you want to speak with Mr Allen the head of finances. The company is C&C construction Co. This is their number: +447024017990.
The money order has already spent 6 days in your bank without any problems and that means it has cleared. Waiting any longer wont make it change any less, i hope you understand. So if it's ok you can send $1500 or $2000 to the info i sent to you before then do that so i can start arrangements soon to come to the states as i am really delaying here and at the same time spending more money because i am waiting on you. Hope you understand my situation also as i completely understan your's too. Thanks and email soon.
Dawn.

Posted by: JESSICA at April 18, 2006 22:10

Jessica: Another giveaway is the number: in the UK the '70' prefix is a 'find me anywhere' personal number that will re-route to any other number. It's generally a sign you're dealing with scammers. You can check who's running the number on this 70 UK list.

These numbers can cost 50p/minute!

Even more info phone scamming here.

Posted by: Paul M at April 18, 2006 22:50

I posted a room for rent in CraigsList San Francisco and received the exactly the same e-mails that was Posted by: mj on December 19, 2005 03:43.

Initially, the e-mail address came from jennylowe2@yahoo.co.uk; and later, they came from jennylowe3400@yahoo.com but with the user name of Jenny Low (not Lowe).

The crazy part is that I received via "USPS priority mail" five postal money order checks sent by David Gonzales from the zip code 94117 but the envelope reads:
F. B. BULINGS
PO BOX 1488
POWAY CA 92074-1488

Today, I replied to "Jenny Lowe" asking for employment information, when she is arriving, etc. But thanks to Google and searching for "jennylowe2@yahoo.co.uk" I found your valuable information. Thanks all for taking the time to write your messages.

Please give me your recommendations of I should do now.

Cheers,
LC.

Posted by: LC at April 25, 2006 08:16

I'm continuing receiving e-mails from: Jenny Lowe - jennylowe2@yahoo.co.uk, Jenny Low - jennylowe3400@yahoo.com,and from Hillary - hillary73@yahoo.com
All of them pretending to be Jenny Lowe, a person who wants to rent a room in my house. Meanwhile, I'm asking to answer the following questions:

- when are you comming to see the place?
- What is the name of your company?
- What is the real address of your company? Not a PO> Box number
- What is the name of your contact person in your
- company?
- What are the names and phone numbers of two people that can provide references about you in this area?

No answers so far!

Posted by: LC at May 4, 2006 18:00

I found this information from The Better Business Bureau in the USA: http://www.bbb.org/alerts/article.asp?ID=583

Counterfeit Postal Money Orders Can Scam Consumers and Businesses

You cannot believe your luck! Someone has just offered to pay you more than the purchase price for merchandise you are selling on the Internet. All you have to do is accept a postal money order as payment; keep the price of the item and a bit extra as a "gift" for your help; and, wire the remainder of the funds to your customer. Is this deal "too good to be true?"
Yes, advises the Better Business Bureau, who warns consumers and businesses to exercise care when approached by eager buyers requesting "help" cashing domestic or international postal money orders. The "buyer" often claims to be living in a foreign country. These scam artists target private citizens, as well as small Internet retailers and classified advertisers located in the U.S. Sometimes the scam artists use e-mail and online auctions to perpetrate this fraud; other times, the telephone. In any case, the scammer expresses an interest in purchasing the merchandise and offers to send a money order through the mail. Sometimes the victim is told up front that the money order will be for more than the purchase price and that he or she should keep the extra funds as payment for their assistance. Other times, the "purchaser" claims to have made a mistake and asks the seller to refund the difference. Either way, the victim is told to ship the requested merchandise immediately and, to return the "excess funds" – either by wiring them to a bank or person located outside the U.S. or by enclosing them with shipment of the merchandise.

The victim then cashes or deposits the postal money order, assuming the financial document to be legitimate. That is when they learn that the money order is a fake. If the money was deposited, the victim’s account is debited for the full amount once the bank discovers the money order to be counterfeit. At the very least, the victim loses the merchandise already shipped to the "buyer." In addition, he or she will likely be questioned by bank personnel and other officials about their involvement in the fraud.

Postal money orders have many security features to help verify their legitimacy, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. To check that a money order is authentic, hold it up to the light and look for Ben Franklin images repeated on the left side (top to bottom) and a dark security thread running (top to bottom) to the right of the Franklin watermarks, with the tiny letters "USPS" facing backward and forward. If either of these security features is not present, the postal money order is a fake. Also, be aware that denominations appear in two locations. If denomination amounts are discolored, that indicates they have been erased. U.S. Postal money orders are printed on crisp textured paper stock with a maximum value of $1,000; the maximum value for international postal money orders is $700.

If you have questions about accepting postal money orders, contact your local Post Office, call the fraud hotline at 1.800.472.8347 or visit www.usps.com/postalinspectors.

Posted by: LC at May 4, 2006 22:24

I am currently going thru the same scam I beleive with a "Markthin Tony" check it out, I'm playing along to see what turns up.

HI mike,

Thanks for the mail. I'm so glad to hear from you again.you seem to be an openminded person, i will give you a call sometimes this new week if my phone has been reconnected However i will waiting for the pictures and if its ok by me what i wrote below here will take place,i.e i'll be out to get a shipper who will be moving my properties in before my moving in date. In the mean time, i'll be needing your full name, mailing address and your phone number so as to prepare the payment as my client will be sending check of pay ( about $5000 being money due to me) from which i'll like you to deduct the fee for my room and help me keep the balance with you as i'll be needing some money to pay the shipper that will move my things down. I will keep you posted of when you are likely to receive the payment. Hope to hear from you soon. Have a good time.

yours

markthin

center10@comcast.net wrote:
Markthin,
thanks for the detailed litsting. As long as the logistics work out, the room is yours!! I am however going to leave the ad up, as there are two additional empty bedrooms and I am still considering renting one of them although it is my preference to have one quality roommate. I guess i'll run down the personal stuff as you did.
Name: Mike Bruce
Hair: Brown, but i change that from time to time
Eyes: Brown
Age: 33
Height 5'11" (but with the right shoes I can lie and say 6' lol)
Weight 190
Body Style: Average
Activity level: Active
Smoking: yes, but about to try to quit this weekend, wish me luck
Drinking: Socially
Marital Status: Single
Children: no kids
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Languages: English and some spanish
Ethnicity Caucasion
Religion: raised catholic, but not practicing
Grew up: Meriden, CT USA
Education: BA, currently work on MS with teacher cert
Occupation. Substitute teacher/waiter/student
Annual Income: Approximately 50,000 US

As I think I said in my ad, i am recently out of a relationship, so recently in fact that she is actually moving out this saturday. My reason for taking in a roommate is to replace the income that my ex girlfriend brought to the household, and also to have someone to help out a bit. Despite my hectic schedule I have a fairly active social life, so if you start with only knowing me, it won't be long before you have a lot of new friends. Musically I'm into rock/ pop and some underground stuff. I'm very into music and spend a lot of time hanging out with some of the best cover bands in the area. As your car is much nicer than mine, I'll let you have the off street parking space. Let me know what you are bringing for furniture, because as of right now, there is plenty of space around the house! Also if you would like to give a call, I have limited access to email, my phone number is 203-915-1802.
I look forward to hearing you to plan out the next step and timing!
~Mike

-------------- Original message --------------
From: markthin tony

hi mike,
Thanks so much for the mail. I really do appreciate
the breakdown details of the house. I'll be so glad if
you can reserve the room for me and remove the advert
from roommates.com as i'll love to rent the place.
ABOUT ME:
Name: markthin tony
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue
Age: 25yrs
Height: 5' 6" (167cm)
Weight: 122 pounds (55.0 kg)
Body Style: Athletic/Fit
Activity Level: Active
Smoking: No
Drinking: Socially
Marital Status: Single
Children: I have no kids
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Languages I speak: English
Ethnicity: Caucasian/White
Religion: Not Religious
Grew up in: UK
Education: MCSA/MCSE
Occupation:Consultant
Annual Income: Over $100,000US
ALSO
I'm a quiet and easy going person to live with. My
families lives here in UK and i have no friends
in US except you lol. I am currently working on
contract for my company CleverLink Internet Technology
Services here in Australia and hope to end my
current assignment by the ..... of MIDDLE OF THIS MONTH and will
love to come down as soon as possible to explore my
talent and hope to have a more profitable job. I do
not have a pic presently on my sy stem but will try to
attach one to my next mail.
My favorites are;
My favorite cuisines: Barbecue, Chinese/Dim Sum, Deli,
Eastern-European, Fast Food/Pizza, French, Greek,
Indian, Italian, Japanese/Sushi, Mexican, Seafood,
Soul Food, Thai, Vietnamese
My favorite music: Dance/Electronica, Disco, Easy
Listening, Pop/Top 40, Rap/Hip Hop, Soul/R&B and
Soundtracks.
My favorite physical activities: Basketball, Working
Out, Dancing, Swiming and Hiking/Walking
However, based on your mail i will be making a
payment of $1500 to move in. I must confess i'm
comfortable with the cost and its quite reasonable and
affordable. I had like to make the payment for the
first month ahead of my arrival, and then i will make
subsequent payment thereafter as i plan to stay for
more than 12months. So i'll client to see you'll get
the payment prior to my arriving date.
The things i will be moving in are as follow;
my Mercedes (C-cla ss 2004 model) metalic green.
suite case containing my books
my 26' DELL PLASMA TV and DVD Home theatre
my clothes in three luggages
my desk top computer (COMPAQ) and pieces of
furnitures.
Hope to hear from you soon
Regards
faith
I'll also like to knowabit about yourself


yours

markthin

center10@comcast.net wrote:
Hi, I got your message through roomates.com. I'll try to give you some more details about the situation. Unfortunately I don't have the technology to send you pictures of the house, but I will try to describe it as best I can. First on the business end, total move in cost would be 1500.00. One month security and first month's rent at 750/ea. That covers Everything, except phone. I don't have a house phone, only a cellular. The style of the house is a raised ranch, and it is located in a very quiet residential neighborhood which is only minutes from highway access, shopping, restaurants etc. My property is on roughly 1/3 of an acre with a very private back yard, and a small front yard. The neighborhood is extremely low traffic. The house has 1.5 kitchens, 1 living room, 1 den, 1 dining room, 1.5 baths, laundry room, two decks and a pool. My recently exiting girlfriend was quite the neat freak so the house is i n really good shape. There are some cosmetic things which i am hoping to complete fixing over the summer. For example i am putting wood floors down to replace some cracked tiles in the hallway and kitchen, and the bathroom is in need of new paint and wallpaper. Most of the house has been painted inside of the last year and the available bedroom is a beautiful shade of light green (think spring!) One of the living rooms has recently become unfurnished, but still has a tv and stereo etc. The main living room has received new carpet in the last six months. The one requirement I ask of roomates is that they be animal friendly people. I maintain a hectic schedule of two jobs and full time grad school, so i ask for a little help with my dog. Not much, just walking and giving him a little attention when I'm not home. My cat is totally self sufficient tho. Well I think i've gone on long enough, let me know what you think and I will try t o figure a way to get some pictures on the computer for you!

~Mike

Posted by: mike bruce at May 5, 2006 17:19

An Edward Walker from Net Tech Solutions (phony name and company of course) is now preying upon people using Craig's List to list rental property. (posted 5/9/06)

Posted by: nancy at May 9, 2006 20:35

This happened to me too! Someone pretending to be from the UK wanted to rent my duplex, with almost the same form letter. I used a program called Neotrace and the info in the email headers to trace the email back to Lagos in Africa. I love being an IT professional!!

Posted by: Jona Rodriguez at May 12, 2006 20:35

HERE IS probably another SCAM:
--------------
Hello,
I saw your room advert,and i am interested.My name is Lilian.I work for wanlida textiles and fabric company here is UK.i will be relocating to US soon because my company is sending me over there as a sales representative for the company.My job is to collect payment from clients over there due to the fact that we dont have an office there at the moment.Please i will like to rent the room you posted on craigslist.I am willing to make a deposit so you can hold the room for prior to my arrival in th US,and i will also like to get details of the questions below.
thank you and hope to hear form you soon.
Lilian Bach
1. I will like to have the description of the room, size, and the equipments in there.
2. I will like to have the rent fee per month plus the utilities.
3. Also I will like to know if there is any garage or parking space cos I will like to purchase a car as soon as i arrive.
4. I will also like to know if I can make an advance payment ahead my arrival that will be stand as a kind of commitment that I am truely coming over to take the room which will also serve as a collerteral for you to hold the room for me, upon my arrival to move ni
5. If the #4 questions is YES, I will like to know the total cost for me to pay, before i move in, somthing like a deposit or something to guarentee me the place prior to me arrival.
6. I will like to know the major intersection nearest your neighborhood like shopping mall, bus line e.t.c
7. Payment mode.

pls can you give me a phone number i can call you on.
Hope to hear from you soon

Posted by: MIKE at May 12, 2006 21:31

Thank God for this website. I have a condo for sale via web-site and I received a response by Edytka Jakubiak who is listed in previous emails on here. We were in contact for almost 2 weeks back and forth. He said he was living in Canada and will be moving to the United States and wanted to purchase my condo. I explained the proceedings with him, but he had a problem with writing the check out to the Title Company and only wanted to "deal with me", which made me realize that it was a scam. I repeadly asked for contact info phone #, fax #, address, and he would not reply with that information. So I googled him, at which I found two sites reporting him in susicious scams.

BEWARE OF "EDYTKA JAKUBIAK" EMAIL: edytkaj1@yahoo.com

Posted by: Sunny in Florida at May 19, 2006 20:47

Thank God for this website. I have a condo for sale via web-site and I received a response by Edytka Jakubiak who is listed in previous emails on here. We were in contact for almost 2 weeks back and forth. He said he was living in Canada and will be moving to the United States and wanted to purchase my condo. I explained the proceedings with him, but he had a problem with writing the check out to the Title Company and only wanted to "deal with me", which made me realize that it was a scam. I repeadly asked for contact info phone #, fax #, address, and he would not reply with that information. So I googled him, at which I found two sites reporting him in susicious scams.

BEWARE OF "EDYTKA JAKUBIAK" EMAIL: edytkaj1@yahoo.com

Posted by: Leanne at May 19, 2006 20:49

Thank God for this website. I have a condo for sale via web-site and I received a response by Edytka Jakubiak who is listed in previous emails on here. We were in contact for almost 2 weeks back and forth. He said he was living in Canada and will be moving to the United States and wanted to purchase my condo. I explained the proceedings with him, but he had a problem with writing the check out to the Title Company and only wanted to "deal with me", which made me realize that it was a scam. I repeadly asked for contact info phone #, fax #, address, and he would not reply with that information. So I googled him, at which I found two sites reporting him in susicious scams.

BEWARE OF "EDYTKA JAKUBIAK" EMAIL: edytkaj1@yahoo.com

Posted by: Leanne at May 19, 2006 21:01

I HAD SOMEONE WHO CALLED HIMSELF EDWARD JOHNSON USING A YAHOO ADDRESS EMAIL ME TO PET SIT HIS PUPPY WHILE HE IS AWAY IN HOLLAND VISITING HIS PARENTS. THE NEXT THING I KNOW HE IS SENDING ME A CHECK FOR 7000.00 DOLLARS AND WANTING ME TO CASH IT AND TAKE 3000. FOR THE PET SITTING JOB AND THEN WESTERN UNION THE REST FOWARD TO A NAME HE HAVE ME WITH A PASSWORD. I TOOK IT ALL TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT...THE CHECK AND ALL THE EMAIL I WROTE HIM AND THAT HE WROTE ME. IF YAHOO WOULD STOP PROVIDING FREE EMAIL ACCOUNTS, IT WOULD SLOW DOWN SOME OF THIS INTERNET SCAMS

Posted by: linda at May 25, 2006 04:13

This is unbelievable - I have been renting through VRBO and just recently on craigslist and have had two nearly identical experiences in the last two weeks, but never before now.
Look for micheal lawson and John Baker [john_bbb2006@yahoo.com][micheal_lawson978@yahoo.com]

Posted by: Paula at May 26, 2006 16:57

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Posted by: Paolo Watson at May 31, 2006 09:54

I have property listed on a web site here in the US. Yesterday I received the following email:

Dear Sarah
Thanks for the mail and i appreciate your urgent response towards this and the explanation you have made.That is exactly how i want it.Let me explain a little about myself.I am from England.Born in a family of two kids.I am very easy going .I have accepted and will send payment to you as soon as you get back to me with name and address where i will be sending payment across to you.So i hope to hear immediately from you with the details.I will let you know my exact move in date as soon as you receieve the payment .I will like to send the payment because that will really show you that i am serious and it also secures the place as i will not like to be stranded on my arrival.I am perfectly okay with all so far,i do not have any questions for now,but i will let you know if i have any as time goes on.Infact ,I will be sending you my picture so that you will have an idea of what i look like.I will call you later on the phone so that we will conclude the rest of the issues.
My mom has somebody in the US that is mearnt to send some money which is mearnt for my accomodation,flight ticket and other travelling arrangements,so he will be making out a US Money Order out in your name so that the payment will get faster to you.And as soon as the Money Order gets to you take it to your bank or as soon as you cash it, then you will take the first month's rent so that i will be assured of accomodation.We will then decide how you are going to send the remaining balance of the money probably to my Dad to use and secure my flight ticket and finalise my other travelling arrangements.This is because it is a United States money order ,it will take about 28-30 days to clear here in the UK but it clears instantly over there in the US.I will then inform you of my exact move in date .
Please send your name as you want it to appear on the US Money Order and also the address to send the Money Order to.I also need your contact phone numbers for easy communiation,Please kindly get back to me immediately.
Hope to hear from you soon.

Regards
Julia

I thought it was odd that they contacted me, asking for my phone number and address, when the phone number of my management company is clearly listed. I emailed back. Below is my email to her:

Hi Julia,

Please send me your phone number and address in the UK. Also please give me the
name, address and phone number of your family that is here in the states. I will
contact both of you. If you are comming from out of the states, I will need a co-signer
on the lease. For that I would have to talk with the family member that is here
in the states. The house that I have for rent is located in the Benson area. It
is two bedroom and withing walking distance of shopping and entertainment. It is
also on the busline.

The rent on the property is $695.00. the deposit is $400.00. The lease is year to
year. There is a $35.00 application fee that is used for credit check and criminal
background check that goes towards the deposit. You pay your own utilities.

Why is it that you are coming to the states? Where in the UK do you live? What is
your profession?

The house will be available at the end of the month. We have had several phone calls
and have been showing it. So, I am sure that the house will not be available for
very long. I would ned a deposit quickly to reatin it for you. I rented the apartment
in less than a week.

Please provide your detailed contact information along with your family's and I
will give you both a call to discuss the property further.

Please let me know if I can answer any other questions for you. I have lived in
the UK so I understand what it is like to move from one country to another.

With Regards,

Sarah Becker

I had not heard back from her. I am guessing that she may be spooked by the criminal back ground check. Who knows.....

Posted by: Sarah at June 18, 2006 16:52

Next time use Flatmateclick.co.uk
The system is more complicated but for 5 Pounds you can be sure that no scammers hang out.
The system never displays Phonenumbers or emailaddresses.

Posted by: John at July 5, 2006 17:48

Hi,

My name is Mr Micheal Fortune,I am highly interested in making payment
for the room you advertised for rent,I want to make the payment on
behalf of my child who intends to be at your location(UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH)
to
further her education,I am currently in the USA.....Georgia,So I would like
you to let me know how much you will be charging per month.
So, try to get back to me as soon as you can and also I hope the
environment is a quit condusive and peaceful place for her to concentrate
and further her education, and note that your payment will be made to you
via.... certified check
I look forward to receiving your response as soon as possible with the FINAL
ASKING PRICE.

Mr. Michael Fortune

Calculate the amount altogether in total

This came from the following email:-

Then changed the name in the email:-
micheal Fortune

Ironic it came from someone called "Fortune"!

I advised that I had let the room. The scammer got my email from Gumtree.

Posted by: Lyn at July 10, 2006 12:10

2nd part of the scammers email after asking for further information:

As i`ll like you to know that my daughter should be in the UK in 2 or3weeks time this will be her first time coming to the UK, she`s not used to the enviroment in Edinburgh,She`s will be 23yrs in Dec,So she`ll be studying computer science in the University.

so i would like you to prepare me the full cost for the rent for the month of July and August, and the extra bills if needed, so i can arrange the payment.......The check with the amount (4,000 pounds) Let me know if this is okay by you,cos it`s the only means of making payment to you, Then i will have to instruct my business associate in the uk to issue out a certified check of (4,000pounds) in which he was to pay me with ,when you might have get the check, Have it cashed,and deduct the cost of the rent, Then send the remaining funds to the travelling agency for her final travelling arrangements to the UK through western union money transfer same day,and part of the funds you send goes for her nececssary upkeeping before coming over for her studies.I`m sure she`ll be in the UK in the next 2weeks or so, i`ll like you to have the room intact before her arrival.
kindly forwad the necessary information for the payment these are the followings:-

FULL NAME................
ADDRESS..................
ZIP CODE.................
STATE....................
COUNTRY..................
CELL PHONE ..............

Hope to hear from you soon.

Mr. Michael Fortune

Posted by: Lyn at July 10, 2006 12:14

Some of the scam emails are getting really good.
I am Mandy Peters,an archeologist from Canada. I am very interested in your room. I am relocating to your town to do some research work once I am through with my course in the uk. From your advert I saw on roommatelocator your place seems to be just what I need. I would be very glad if you can give me more details of your room as well as some pics ,if you have any. I would also love to know the best price you can offer me for the room. Waiting to hear from you. thanks..........Mandy

As you can see there are no gramatical errors, all the right letters are capitalized and there is no offer of the extra money. I know it is a scam because I got the 6000 dollars cashier check.

Posted by: dante at July 21, 2006 02:00

Yep. It just happened to me just now. I posted a room for rent and three people responded with Africa/UK stories with checking in money and