CRAIGSLIST FAKE APARTMENTS

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lmb247

Registered: 12.01.11

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Posts: 3
Posted: 17.05.2011, 17:14

Like others who posted on this site, I recently started looking for an apartment in NYC and received emails from creeps who prey on those who (are naive, of course and) can't pay a lot of money. I RECEIVED FIVE SCAM EMAILS IN TWO WEEKS !!!

They all have a STORY. Sometimes is one individual (a "reverend", a doctor); other times is a couple. But they all have something in common: 1) the owner / renter lives in Nigeria (watch out for this one), UK or somewhere out of the country; 2) they send an email with a list of requirements; 3) they may ask for a money transfer; 5) the pictures/description of the apt. are too good to be true (because they are); 6) the deposit is refundable (landlords never say that); 7) they don't say when you'll see the apartment. The first scammer said he was a pediatrician who just accepted a job in Nigeria. He was going to "mail me the keys by UPS" after receiving the $600 deposit.

I saw a video from a news cast from 2009, where a young couple got scammed and lost the last $2,000 they had. Really pitiful.

Don't be sorry. Be aware.
ThePowersThatBe

Registered: 23.02.11

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Posts: 105
Posted: 17.05.2011, 20:32

I'm convinced that CL no longer provides any type of beneficial service expect to scammers. It's pretty sad when you go on this site to look for an apartment and a warning comes up about fraudulent postings and then asks you if you want to continue to view apartment listings. This is enough of a warning for me to reconsider using this site to find an apartment.
bigdaddysgrl1012

Registered: 19.05.11

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Posts: 1
Posted: 20.05.2011, 06:07

im so glad i googled this co. and found out about this scam .I was offered a beautiful house in bloomfield nj but of course it seemed to good to be true sure enough it was the same thing he works in west africa for julius berger construction and wanted money sent before he would send us the keys .Its sad that people are so desperate for decent housing that they would send this guy their money and lose it all ! thank god for this website hopfully it saves more people from losing their money. i know it helped me and i also put in a complaint with the FTC
zaalkiel

Registered: 31.05.11

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Posts: 1
Posted: 01.06.2011, 00:18

I got the same scam on craigslist with a house in Grand Junction, CO, he used the name michael simpson and is in africa with the julius berger construction.
Athils

Registered: 07.06.11

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Posts: 2
Posted: 08.06.2011, 01:13

I found this giant "pediatrician" dick, too. I smelled something wrong when he wrote all this crap about looking for someone to "take care of [his] home" after I contacted him and I just walked away. Too bad he already has my email address and phone number from the boilerplate email I sent. I just looked the scam it up and here it is. Shocker.

I'll stick to listings with phone numbers with NYC area codes.
Athils

Registered: 07.06.11

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Posts: 2
Posted: 08.06.2011, 01:14

Oh! Forgot to add: his alias was William Knight in this particular iteration.
Babydoll

Registered: 13.06.11

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Posts: 2
Posted: 13.06.2011, 18:24

Athils said:
Oh! Forgot to add: his alias was William Knight in this particular iteration.

Mon, June 13, 2011 8:25:30 AMRe: Rental Unit...
From: "jessica.fuller@thehomerentaloutlet.com" View Contact

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

Hello,

Thanks for taking the time to email me about the place.

We thought we had the place rented last week to a young couple, but communication has dropped off. You are the first person to email about it since we put it back on the market . Normally, we would prefer a year lease, but would also be open to shorter terms if necessary. I'm sure that you will want to see the property before making a final decision. I will accept pets but no more than 2. I would simply give you the address and let you swing by, but my husband is against blindly advertising an empty home online. The home has been up kept properly and had a good cleaning and fresh coat of paint. Basic utilities are currently on, but we expect that you transfer them into your name fairly quick. If you want to go ahead and schedule a time to see the property, go to the link below and print off the free copy of your report. Your score isn't necessarily important, we're just interested in seeing that there are no evictions / landlord related judgments. The details on your previous rental experience is the only part we need to review immediately.

Go here to get the report: http://mysolidstateproperties.com/?Prop=F12692

I am very open as far as appointments go to show the property. Any morning after 10am is fine. Just let me know when you have everything printed and be sure to leave me a contact number to reach you at and any desired time. I will call you to confirm a time and choose a place to meet.

Thanks and hopefully I'll talk to you soon!

Jessica

"Today is Monday, June 13, and I will be in the office until 6pm. "

Email Privacy Policy:
We have created this email privacy policy to demonstrate our firm commitment to your privacy and the protection of your information. Why did you receive an email from us? If you received a mailing from us, (a) your email address is either listed with us as someone who has expressly shared this address for the purpose of receiving information in the future ("opt-in"), or (b) you have registered or purchased or otherwise have an existing relationship with us. We respect your time and attention by controlling the frequency of our mailings. How we protect your privacy: We use security measures to protect against the loss, misuse and alteration of data used by our system.

I did not fall for this...but I can't believe how common it is. Wow!!!!
Babydoll

Registered: 13.06.11

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Posts: 2
Posted: 13.06.2011, 18:27

I am a little new at all of this, would someone mind telling me how to make a complaint with the proper authoritites please? I really don't know where to go from here...I did email them back however and let them know I was turning them in. Not sure if it was a bad idea or not, but they are not going to mess with me.
ThePowersThatBe

Registered: 23.02.11

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Posts: 105
Posted: 13.06.2011, 22:33

You can file a complaint with the FTC, contact the attorney general in your area and request that craigslist remove the posting. I wouldn't worry about the message you sent, they are not going to mess with you. And as long as you didn't give out any personal information or use the link to the credit report, you have nothing to fear.
talq

Registered: 15.06.11

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Posts: 2
Posted: 16.06.2011, 05:38

I clicked on the link. I feel so dumb!

I filled out the front page. Just asked for my name, address and cell phone number, I hit submit....but then I got suspicious.

How much trouble am I in? What can they do with that information? I have a very uncommon name, I'm so worried they can do something with it, or find out what all my information is.

Please help!
ThePowersThatBe

Registered: 23.02.11

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Posts: 105
Posted: 16.06.2011, 17:43

Be wary of this one. Pictures of a NY City apartment, yet the area listed is in Somers, NY Westchester County (the burbs). The price is too low for a 2 BR apartment anywhere in NY.

Posted June 16th - Apt by Owner, Fairfield Section of CL
$1200/2BR -Exquisite Roomy Two Bedroom Apt (Lincolndale)
Listed By: Anywhere, LLC

Wonderful nice place. Be sure to look at the complete posting before emailing. People usually tend to ask questions that are certainly answered in the posting. Any time you want details send an email.
AWESOME APARTMENTS!

Modern Beautiful Kitchen, Plenty of Sunlight, Stainless Steel Appliances, Original Hardwood Floors, Accross The Street From Park, Exposed Brick, Modern Glass Sink, Rainfall Shower Head, Recessed Lighting, Original Fireplace Awesome Area. Absoultely no brokers fee.

The apartment is glorious. It is in a excellent pleasant community. In case you want to plan a tour then please be sure to send an email. I will reply to emails as quick as possible. Looking for serious individuals.