The number of fake rental scams on Craigslist and other online classifieds continues to grow, with new aliases appearing daily. But while the names may change, the methods are always the same.
These thieves, mainly based in Nigeria, the U.K. and the U.S., are out to steal your money and your identity.
They use yahoo, ymail, rocketmail, fastermail, live, hotmail and gmail, and they also post ads under anonymous craigslist addresses. They frequently change their aliases.
They use photos stolen from other property advertisements or from home furnishing catalogues or hotel websites.
They use fake names, often stolen from Facebook profiles or networking sites. Often they assume the identities of previous victims.
What they all have in common is that sooner or later you get a request to transfer funds via Western Union, Moneygram or some other wire service.
NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, WIRE MONEY AT THE REQUEST OF ANY PROSPECTIVE “LANDLORD” VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM OR ANY OTHER WIRE SERVICE. EVEN IF THEY TELL YOU TO WIRE THE FUNDS TO A FRIEND OR RELATIVE’S NAME “TO BE SAFE,” IT’S A TRAP!
NEVER SEND A SCAN OF YOUR PASSPORT OR OTHER ID. THESE THIEVES WILL USE YOUR IDENTITY TO SCAM OTHERS.
The IP addresses being used to perpetrate these scams worldwide include the following:
A recent posting on TripAdvisor describes one unhappy customer’s dealings with this agency that frequently advertises on Craigslist:
An excerpt:
At 11 pm on the 16th we received an email saying the apartment was not available because the elevator was being replaced and because the apartment was on the 9th floor they were offering us another place to stay. In essence we were going from a luxury one bedroom to a budget studio!! We called immediately and spoke to Peter (the ceo)- I explained to him that for a nine week stay the apartment he was offering us was not suitable – a bar fridge and 2 burners. We drove to Paris the next day and went to 3 rue Raffet – I personally spoke to the concierge and 2 tenants – none of them were aware of any problems with the elevator and the concierge knew of no upcoming maintenance. We emailed the good news to Peter and he then said there was no internet and the clothes dryer didn’t work, the owner is a senior citizen and is going to sell the apartment so doesn’t want to put any money into it. It went on from here and he wanted us to sign another “AS IS” lease. The whole thing is a scam – they get you into a nice apartment and then all of the sudden, just before you get there it is not available and they offer you what they have!!
One Atlanta woman searching for good deal on an apartment on the popular website Craigslist ended up finding a scam instead. Tuesday night, Kate Thacker warned others to beware that if the deal looks to good to be true, it probably is.
A Scamwatch reader provided the following warning about a scammer using the alias Pierre-Bertrand Goalec, currently active on Craigslist Paris:
So, I received this email today for an apartment in Paris.That time he gave me the adress from a company he is working for….I don’t know but this is definately a fake…I received that mail from Pierre-Betrand Goalec [edw.place@gmail.com] so pay attention to this name. It is a current advertisment on craiglist!
SCAM MESSAGE:
Thanks for your response of willing to rent the room, The bedroom is fully furnished in a 3 bedroom flat, the flat is centrally located and easy access to public transfer…the rent per month is 450 euros and a refundable security deposit of 600 Euro is required and you will have it back at the end of your stay in my flat.
Large kitchen with new appliances including dishwasher, electric oven, ceramic hob, washing machine and tumble dryer
-Bright spacious sitting/dining/TV room
-Double bedroom with beautiful view
-Modern, luxury bathroom with power shower
-Cable, digital TV aerial point, BT phone point, broadband and fire alarm system
-Central heating (new boiler) and instant hot.
All services near by: metro, highway, banks, restaurants…
Asking Price : 450 EUR Including utilities
Available Now for short and long term.
Details about myself and family
I am a 25 yr French professional who studies same time. I was born in Paris(France), where i lived with my parents before my father who was a lawyer was transferred to the USA to work for AIG company as their company legal advisory and i have to come to Paris for my masters degree and lived with my father in his apartment which he has permanently bought from the owner in the house.
He died few months ago after he went on a business trip to Australia when he went to Vamed Engineering and came back with Influenza and so was infected but was not home on time for treatment. His memories lingers in my heart daily and each time i look at his picture and ever since my mother has been in United State managing my fathers firm and also handling some of our assets. What more do i tell about my family…. .!!! I have a kid brother and sister who are in school and living with my mother in Texas.
Flat Amenities
The rooms that are for rent has the following facilities,a small fridge in each room,a big freezer in the kitchen,it is also furnished,have a TV connected to a cablet and also a sound system all for your entertainment purpose,a big twin bed that sleeps two people conveniently,private entrance and exit,private toilet and bathroom,parking spac e,washer and dryer, it is air-conditioned,my kitchen is fully equipped also coz i do a lot of cooking and so i have microwave oven,gas cooker and so many for your heating and cooking needs.There is connection to internet via wireless and LAN and also Broadband as well for your computing purpose,so you can come with your laptop or desktop if you have one.
Why am renting the apartment out is that am presently with my Company Pegasus Energy UK Ltd,United Kingdom to work With Pegasus Energy company , I will be here for about 6 to 1 Year. I just need someone (Students or Anybody working in a reputable organisation to rent the rooms) with an open heart,love and clean to occupy the apartment and put all my worries off concerning the maintenance of the house,Since i am not residing there for now. Also the keys to the Apt are right here with me, and the lease document. Which i can send to you after all necessary agreement has be accepted. Also i will like you to know that the rent charges is not really the issue, but your absolute maintenance of my apartment, because that is the only valuable property my late Father left behind, and it also took him so much time and money to put all those facilities in place.
Furnished Bedroom Description
Newer Carpet,Marble Floors in Kitchen and Bath, New Paint, Complex
Amenities Includes Laundry room, Parking Assigned.
Terms:
Lease Terms: month to month
Ready for move-in now!
Interior Kitchen
Dishwasher
Microwave Rooms Amenities ,A/C
Fireplace
Cable Available
Handicap Accessible
Scenic View
Lease Availability: Immediate Lease Terms: How Long ?
Policies Pets: Allow
-1 Dedicated Parking Spaces Community:
Handicap Accessible
So if you are interested in renting the flat, kindly get back to me by filling me with below details.
*Your Full Name:
*Your Full Address
*Phone Number:
*How old are you?:
*Are you married?:
*Do you have a pet?:
*Do you have a car?:
*Occupation?:
*The picture of the Tenant Renting the house? (If available):
*How many months contract will you Deposit?
*********** When will you Move in?
************ When will you Move Out?
HERE IS THE HOUSE ADDRESS.
LOCATION & AREA
8 rue Champollion
PARIS 75005
France
(5er arrondissement – neighborhood)
Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file incase of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you. Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the key to you, please we are giving you all this base on trust and again i will want you to stink to your words, you know that, we do not see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand, so please do not let me down on this property and God bless you more as you do this.
Best Regards.
Yours Faithfully
Pierre Bertrand Goalec
Pegasus Energy UK Ltd
Unit 1,Quayside Business Centre
School Road,
Lowestoft,
Suffolk,
NR33 9NW
United Kingdom
Here’s an informative video about internet rental scams that’s relevant no matter where you’re looking for an apartment, be it London, Paris, New York or small town America (courtesy of pickrent.com).
Quick warning that the website http://www.kortisproperties.com is a scam and a fraud. Rapheal Sinclair will take your deposit and disappear with it.
Same phone numbers and same scam as mentioned before on ScamWarners
Tel: +44 (0) 7519569598 Fax: +44 208 181 6081
Address: 120 Queensgate |South Kensington, London SW7 5LE, England
Email: booking@kortisproperties.com
Front Desk Officer :Rapheal Sinclair
He is currently advertising holiday lets in London on Craig’s List, all of them at 25% of the going rate, with descriptions involving impossible geography eg flat near Hyde Park is moments from Covent Garden – it’s an hour’s walk.
Los Angeles Times travel editor Catharine Hamm describes in an article how she fell for an Internet rental scam and then tracked down the fraudster who stole her money.
“I always assumed that people who got scammed were knuckleheads. Now I know they are people just like me.
I’ve talked to a lot of them who thought they were renting a house in Hawaii — the same one I thought I was renting — and ended up with a handful of air.” — Catharine Hamm
Bonaparte Consulting reports on its blog that newly enforced apartment rental laws in Paris mean many private apartment rentals in the city could now be deemed illegal, with owners facing prosecution:
Recent moves made by the City of Paris to apply laws restricting the rental of apartments in central Paris may have significant effects for thousands of private owners, in Paris and abroad. According to the Prefecture de Paris, nearly 38,000 apartments in Paris are being rented for short stays, and moves to prosecute some owners of these properties have begun.
To read the rest of this story and find out how it affects short-term renters, click here.
Over on chicaneryconsscams.blogspot.com, The Quirked Eyebrow points out that unmistakable scammer “style” that gives “419″ fraudsters away every time, thanks to Google and a few seconds of effort.
And remember: Never send a scan of your passport or other ID. Never send funds to a prospective “landlord” via Western Union or Moneygram. Anyone who asks you to do either is a scammer!
By Dan Ferguson, Surrey North Delta Leader (Canada)
A 52-year-old woman from Lakewood, Colorado has been arrested for involvement in an Olympic rental scam that cost a Surrey homeowner $8,900.
Police in Lakewood, a municipality of 144,000 people near Denver, made the arrest earlier this month after learning the money was picked up at Moneygram offices at Wal-Mart stores in Denver and Lakewood.
EUR450 Comfortable 2 bedrooms apartment for rent/lease, it is available (paris)
Date : 2009-11-26, 12:40AM CET
Répondre à : fred.jamies@yahoo.com [Errors when replying to ads?]
Comfortable 2 bedrooms apartment for rent/lease, it is available for long / short term rent, located at quiet, clean and safe area in central Paris, it’s fully furnished living room that has broadband Internet, TV,Land line phone, clear bathrooms and toilets with well equipped kitchen that has modern facilities such as microwave, oven,refrigerator,washing machine, dish washer….For more details contact me via my email address below.
E-mail:fred.jamies@yahoo.com
PICS AVAILABLE
cats are OK – purrr
dogs are OK – wooof
Lieu : paris
Vous N’êtes PAS autorisé à contacter l’annonceur à l’origine de cette offre au sujet d’autres services ou intérêts commerciaux.
PostingID: 1482483384
Début du message réexpédié :
De : Fred Jamies
Objet : Apartment Still Available For Rent!!
Good day ,
My name is Fred Jamie,I was born in Los Angeles,And Work as a Choir Coordinator in Living Gospel Church L.A,I am the owner of the House you are making inquiry for.Actually i resided in the House with my family and Only Daughter but had to move out after My Transfer to another Branch of our Church in Uk .Its just been 2 months since i had left with My Family.
Presently My House is still Available for Rent
Criteria _looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of the Apartment .
Due to The urgent need of my Transfer i couldn’t Handover the Documents and Key to An Agent,it was hard Finding an Agent at that stipulated time and my only Trusted Relative that could have done that for me travelled To Dominica Republic a month before i left for uk ,so i had come down with the Documents and keys To The Apartment ,But that isnt a problem ,that can be handled .The House includes utilities like heat, hydro, cable,fridge, Gas cooker /Stove, it cooks with dishwasher, hall, dining room, bath, cleanliness, air conditioned, TV, DVD, terrace, located in a well communicated very exclusive zone and with downtown. lovely furnished Hrdwd, Jacuzzi, loft, kitchen.The rent fees included all the utilities like hydro,washer and security,wifi, washing machine. located in a well communicated and exclusive zone and with downtown. lovely furnished Hrdwd, Jacuzzi, loft, kitchen in beautiful Victorian House. We accept pets like cat and Dogs.with parking space for 2 cars.All room wired for internet/cable and telephone.
Appliances and Utilities are included in the rent.
Rent:€450 per month
Policies Pet
Call for details Smoking:
Exterior Outdoor: Parking:
10 rue du Chemin Vert,
Paris 75011,
France..
Wonderful and clean So if you are interested in my House you get back to me by filling the Rent Application Form below.
RENT APPLICATION FORM
1)Your Full Name
2)Your Full Address & Phone Number
3)How old are you?
4)Are you married?
5)How many people will be living in the House?
6)Do you have a pet?
7)Do you have a car?
8)Your Occupation Title:
9)How long have you been employed with them?
10)Contact Name for employment verification: Phone #:
11)What is your religion?
12)How long of a lease are you interested in?
13)Present Address with postal code, city and province:
14)Do you own or rent currently?:
15)Your Gross Monthly Income: €
16)Your first and last month rent is required.
The applicant certifies that all statements given here are true and correct, and authorizes the Landlord to contact any references given here in. It is further understood that all information given here remains confidential and private and will not be released to anyone other than lawful authorities without prior consent of the applicant. Applicant understands that no representations, promises, or agreements as to occupancy, lease or date of possession have been made. The owners, their representatives, or duly authorized agents shall not be liable for any loss or damage occurring due to the inability to deliver possession of the premises applied for. If the applicant withdraws this application, or upon acceptance does not take occupancy of the premises, all sums deposited will be retained by the owner as liquidated damages, and the applicant shall not acquire any right in or to said premises by reason there of. I’am a kind and honest person and also i spent alot on my property that i want to give you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this House and want you to treat it as if it is your own, money is not the main problem but i want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat when i come for a check up.i do that once in a while.I also want you to let me have trust in you as i always stand on my word. Looking forward to hearing back from you with all this details today,so that i can have them in my file,in case of issuing your rent payment receipt to you and for contacting you.
Hope to hearing back from you as soon as possible today.I will send you all the present pictures of the house.
EUR700 / 1br – One bedroom apartment on rue St Louis en Iles (Iles Saint Louis)
Date : 2009-11-23, 11:00PM CET
Répondre à : hous-kwqfb-1479411493@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
One-bedroom apartment which is located on the enjoyable Ile Saint-Louis. Situated on the 2nd floor of a walkup buiding and overlooking a lovely paved courtyard ornated with trees and flowers, this spacious apartment is a luxurious refuge in Paris’ ancient heart. It will make your Paris stay really memorable. Charming one-bedroom apartment located in the smartest area of Paris, Ile Saint Louis, Rue Saint Louis en Isle between the Quai d?Anjou and the Quai de Bethune. This 51m2 apartment can accommodate 4 persons. The entry hall leads to the living room then the Kitchen on the right and on the other side, the bedroom and the bathroom. The 20m2 living room has two windows, north exposure, which faces the courtyard with beautiful trees. Double sofa bed,, a coffee table, a wooden chest, a TV, a phone and a hi-fi/dvd stereo. There is also a dining table with four chairs, few decorative objects, furniture such as lamps, pictures all over the room and a big cupboard. It has a beautiful old wooden floor and a high ceiling. The 15m2 bedroom has a Queen bed, a wooden chest and two bedside tables, a window which faces an other small and quiet courtyard. The separate small kitchen is open to the living room and is equipped with 2 electric burners, a refrigerator, a microwave, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a toaster, a coffee maker, and cupboards which contain cooking utensils
The bathroom has a shower, a washbasin with mirror and toilet,shower.
There is also a Dressing. Neighborhood: Iles Saint Louis, this mostly residential area is one of the most select and beautiful Parisian neighborhoods. In the middle of the island there are countless little shops, cosy crêperies, and chic restaurants, often in vaulted cellars, which form an attractive setting for an elegant meal. The harmony of the closely packed houses, the little cafes where a ?petit café? can be enjoyed at leisure, the quiet quays and the aura of the past which pervades the island, give it a particular charm. The Seine Islands, the egg, from which Paris was hatched, the Ile de la Cite lies quietly in the shadow of the Notre Dame. The home of French kings until the 14th century, the island still maintains its medieval air. An iron bridge leads to the Ile Saint Louis, the smaller and quieter of the two river islands, which today is still very much as it was in the 17th century. It is very close to the Hotel De Ville, the Quartier Latin and the Panthéon The closest metro stations are Pont Marie or Sully-Morland (line 7)
PostingID: 1479411493
Réponse :
Hello,
Thanks for your interest. The apartment is furnished and well equipped with all home utilities and its internet access is unlimited. A large living room with a sofa bed for two people, kitchen and a nice bathroom with shower.
Facilities: independent heating system, air conditioning, washing machine, iron and iron board, hairdryer, coffeemaker.
The kitchen is well equipped with pots and pans, refrigerator, dish washer, dishes and so on.
In the sitting room there is a TV, Internet connection.
I am out of town presently doing a research in Lagos,west Africa with my family, we will be staying there for 6months and will move to our apartment in England, that is the main reason why we are renting out the apartment. My research is actually based amongst the less privileged African children. If you are interested in the apartment let me know so that we can make all necessary arrangements and also send the keys and documents through a courier company which will be delivered in two working days so that you can see the apartment and decide whether to rent it or not.
If you are interested in the apartment let me know so that we can make all necessary arrangements from you and also send the keys and documents through a courier company and will be received in the next 2 working days.
The apartment is located on the street of 10 rue St Louis en Ile Apartment Paris and its available now for long and short term tenant.
Total floor size of 51 m²
Price:700EURmonthly
Security Deposit:300EUR
EUR1100 / 2br – apartment of 2 separate rooms (paris city center rue de la parchemineri)
Date : 2009-11-19, 1:21PM CET
Répondre à : hous-3jkz5-1472787634@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
The apartment has 2 separate bedrooms apartment well equipped ,furnished and
with internet wireless and communications access,the equipment such as
electronics,cooker,drier,refrigerator,chairs,gas cooker,internet,washing machine,dryer central heater
rue de la Parcheminerie 75005 Paris
Between the Seine quays and the Sorbonne University,where you can look at the cloisre of th Church sain severin and the Cluny Gardens.For sure you will walk to Saint Michel and to the pedestrian district of la Huchette close by.
Near by rue de la Harpe, rue de Cluny, rue Saint Jacques, rue Dante, Boulevard Saint Germain, Place Maubert Mutualite, rue des Ecoles, La Sorbonne, Boulevard Saint Michel, Quai Saint Michel.
Metro. St-Michel/Notre-Dame ou Cluny
* Lieu : paris city center rue de la parchemineri
* Vous N’êtes PAS autorisé à contacter l’annonceur à l’origine de cette offre au sujet d’autres services ou intérêts commerciaux.
PostingID: 1472787634
————————–
De : Felix N Gon
Objet : Rép : EUR1100 / 2br – apartment of 2 separate rooms (paris city center rue de la parchemineri)
Hello,
here is the pictures of the apartment,and also you ll find the
informations of it below i sent the pictures to you because i dont
stay in Paris now and that is the reason why i want to rent the 2
rooms to someone who ll take care of the apartment for me and i work
in Edinburgh so if you are okay and also like the pictures sent to you
then you can get back to me and tell me what you think about it The 2
bedrooms apartment well equipped ,furnished and
with internet wireless and communications access,the equipment such as
electronics,cooker,drier,refrigerator,chairs,gas cooker,internet,washing machine,dryer central heater.
The monthly rent for each of the room is 500 euros and a
security deposit of 600euro which is refundable if you do not damage
any of my properties in my Flat, while your stay there.because if you
do make any damages the money of the damages will be deducted from the
security deposit while the rest will be refund back to you and if you
do not make any damages then the whole amount of the money will be
refunded back to you.and there ll be CAF available.And for single room you ll
have to pay 500 euros and also the security deposit.
12, rue de la Parcheminerie 75005 Paris
Between the Seine quays and the Sorbonne University,where you can look at the cloisre of th Church sain severin and the Cluny Gardens.For sure you will walk to Saint Michel and to the pedestrian district of la Huchette close by.
Near by rue de la Harpe, rue de Cluny, rue Saint Jacques, rue Dante, Boulevard Saint Germain, Place Maubert Mutualite, rue des Ecoles, La Sorbonne, Boulevard Saint Michel, Quai Saint Michel.
Metro. St-Michel/Notre-Dame ou Cluny
Urgency really matters since i talk to so many people concerning
the rooms,because a lot of people had already waste my time on the
apartment this is why i need someone who can be bale to make
commitment on the apartment so i can be sure that you really love to
rent the apartment because i don’t want to waste my time and money
over to Paris and come to negative answers like others and i really
don’t want to waste your time either so i think you ll understand me
better on this hope to read from you soon and you ll find the attached
pictures of the apartment with the mail hope to read from you soon
EUR2000 / 2br – Rue Bouloi 75001 (Central france)
Date : 2009-11-17, 11:37AM CET
Répondre à : infinityapartmentrentals@googlemail.com [Errors when replying to ads?]
This spacious two bedroom apartment is located on a high floor (elevator) of a modern building located around the corner from the famous Palais Royal square and gardens. The apartment is a few minute’s walk from the Louvre, Les Halles, the Seine, and a number of famous galeries. The apartment is furnished with two high quality twin beds that can be made into a queen size bed for couples, an elegantly furnished living room, a small open kitchen, with a counter pass-through to facilitate meal preparation and dining. The kitchen has a refrigerator, microwave, cook-top and dishwasher. The remodeled bathroom has a full bathtub, shower and washing machine. High speed internet (WiFi) access, Cable tv, and telephone service (including calls to the US, Canada, most European countries, Australia, Japan and China) is included. Sleeps up to 5 people.
Director:Richar Craig
Email:infinityapartmentrentals@googlemail.com
Tel: +44 (0) 7519569598
Fax: +44 208 181 6081
* cats are OK – purrr
* dogs are OK – wooof
* Lieu : Central france
* Vous N’êtes PAS autorisé à contacter l’annonceur à l’origine de cette offre au sujet d’autres services ou intérêts commerciaux.
Voici un triple SCAM avec des photos de maison andalouse à Paris… puis sans photos et de moins en moins de texte mais le même !
1) http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/apa/1460814636.html mcalistermendez@yahoo.com
EUR400 / 2br – Charming and spacious apt for rent
Date : 2009-11-11, 11:06AM CET
Répondre à : mcalistermendez@yahoo.com [Errors when replying to ads?]
Hello everyone
I’m glad to tell you that i have a lovely apartment in (Paris)..My apartment is furnished with:
2 bedroom
living room
kitchen
toilet&bat Come home to Luxury & Style! — Beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bath
Great well maintained building…
ELECTRONIC entry into the building.
Washer/dryers
his truly is a place to call home… is meticulously clean and renovated..
new kitchen and new bathroom and marvelous ceramic tiles from the kitchen, along the hallway to the bathroom.
This suite features a beautiful, neutral lay-out, top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, maple cabinets, ensuite laundry and storage, full ensuite bath, walk-in closet, and loads of space to entertain
My apartment is with wireless internet,communication access,TV, DVD,and many more
cats are OK – purrr
dogs are OK – wooof
Vous N’êtes PAS autorisé à contacter l’annonceur à l’origine de cette offre au sujet d’autres services ou intérêts commerciaux.
PostingID: 1460814636
2) http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/apa/1460834335.html
EUR350 / 2br – Charming and spacious apt for rent
Date : 2009-11-11, 12:52PM CET
Répondre à : hous-zsvz7-1460834335@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Hello everyone
I’m glad to tell you that i have a lovely apartment in (Paris)..My apartment is furnished with:
2 bedroom
living room
kitchen
toilet&bat Come home to Luxury & Style! — Beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bath
Great well maintained building…
ELECTRONIC entry into the building.
Washer/dryers
his truly is a place to call home… is meticulously clean and renovated..
new kitchen and new bathroom and marvelous ceramic tiles from the kitchen, along the hallway to the bathroom.
This suite features a beautiful, neutral lay-out, top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, maple cabinets, ensuite laundry and storage, full ensuite bath, walk-in closet, and loads of space to entertain
My apartment is with wireless internet,communication access,TV, DVD,and many more
Vous N’êtes PAS autorisé à contacter l’annonceur à l’origine de cette offre au sujet d’autres services ou intérêts commerciaux.
PostingID: 1460834335
3) http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/apa/1460831813.html
EUR500 / 2br – 2 br apartment (paris city centre)
Date : 2009-11-11, 12:43PM CET
Répondre à : hous-eehtg-1460831813@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Hello everyone
I’m glad to tell you that i have a lovely apartment in (Paris)..My apartment is furnished with:
2 bedroom
living room
kitchen
toilet&bath
My apartment is with wireless internet,communication access,TV, DVD,and many more
Lieu : paris city centre
Vous N’êtes PAS autorisé à contacter l’annonceur à l’origine de cette offre au sujet d’autres services ou intérêts commerciaux.
PostingID: 1460831813
par river, 20 octobre 2009, come4news.com (France)
Vous cherchez un appartement à louer, vous pistez toutes les annonces dans la presse écrite ou sur les sites dédiés.
Enfin, un appartement sympa, de bonne taille à un prix vous convenant! Vous l’avez trouvé sur un site connu “AU BON COIN”
Et voilà, c’est parti, vous adressez un mail au propriétaire pour demander à visiter. Vous recevez une réponse d’une longueur surprenante, qui vous explique que ledit propriétaire réside dans le sud de la France, qu’il ne peut se déplacer inutilement, qu’il vous faut d’abord verser une caution pour prouver votre sérieux (caution qui vous serait remboursée pour le cas où le logement ne vous convient pas…. hum hum)
Scamwatch has received the following warning about a scam on justlanded.com and Craigslist Brussels. Take note and beware!:
Hi,
I would just like to ad that this is also taking place in Brussels. I was just scammed quite similarly to the other people posting. I found the ad on justlanded.com and then later found it on craigslist Brussels.
Email address is esarahnoel@yahoo.com going by the name Emily Sarah Noel….even provided a passport scam. Also took my passport scan. The email provided was this one (similar to the others). Other emails followed regularly as well as chats on MSN… PLEASE PROTECT YOURSELF!!:
Hello,
I am extremely sorry for my late response to your mail. I have been very busy for a while now and never had time to check my mails.Thanks for your prompt response regarding my posted ad, let me take a little time to tell you something about myself, the room & its amenities, price and conditions to rent.
About myself
I am a young female in my mid 20’s currently doing my masters in risk management after work and this makes me return home late but can’t stop having fun when its necessary. I am an accountant and thus work for s brooking firm and also as a consultant,so this makes me travel often which is the mere reason why i need and search good people as flatmates so i will be rest assured that my flat is in safe hands in my absence.
I got my first degree in London School of Economics, i worked in Paris as a senior accountant in a brooking firm before i went to the Barcelona to take a 3 months course in public marketing and to learn the spanish cultures and languages,thus, Did my internship with JP Morgan in New York in 2007 which gave me an opportunity to visit the united states for the first time before returning back to Dublin to start my masters and work aswell then have been here ever since…what a traveller i am….lol
My house is located at Rue Du Midi, Bruxelles 1000, Belgium.
Flat Amenities
A small fridge in each room
A big freezer in the kitchen
Each room has a big wardrobe
TV connected to a cable
A surround sound system
A twin sleeper bed(double sleeper bed,capable of sleeping two people
conveniently)
Private toilet and bathroom for each room
Washer/dryer for laundry needs
Air-condition and fire place to keep the room warm
Gas cooker and micro wave oven available in the kitchen
Price:
I have two rooms for rent. Each room is for 350 euros and monthly utilities charges of 50 euros and a security deposit of 600 euros
Therefore:
Rent per month………400 euros
per week…………………..120 euros
Security deposit……..600 euros
NB: The security deposit is refundable upon verification of the room which you rented to be in good order. Both payment is to be made once to my family lawyer or mother.
There is contract available for weekly, month to month and long term basis but if you want a long term rent, i will prefer an initial 3 months rent which is renewable 2weeks prior to the rent expiration.
Utilities included in the rent:
Water
Gas refill
Heater/warmer
Electricity bill
Laundry
Parking space
Internet via wireless lan
Trash pick up
Why i am renting:
I live in a 3 bedroom flat like i told you but the 2 rooms vacant which i am offering for rent is because my previous flatmates are through with there activities and work here and has gone back to there respective states.So, i need people who are fun to be with, people whom we could share times and moments together,not just minding your business or going into your room after the day….but you can always have your private time and affair if you so wish and desire.
Immediately i confirm your interest and knowing some things about you,I shall send to you the current pictures of your room and my flat in general with the kitchen and other pictures aswell before we proceed with the necessary details to prepare the tenement contract necessary for your move in.
Renters warned of Craigslist ads linked to Nigeria
by Christopher Showbeck October 26, 2009, Twincities.com (Minnesota)
When renting an apartment in the Twin Cities, think twice before sending that deposit to Nigeria.
NorthstarMLS, a computer system used by about 16,000 real estate agents to list homes for sale in the region, is alerting members to a scheme in which scammers take information from public real estate Web sites and use it to create bogus listings for rental property.
The fake rental listings are posted on Craigslist, a free Web site for classified ads, and feature an unlikely scenario to separate naive consumers from their money.
EUR680 / 1br – Lovely One Bedroom Flat For Rent (Paris) – PostingID: 1436925345
lewis.francoise@yahoo.com – 41.189.6.245 Lagos
De : Lewis Francoise
Received: from [41.189.6.245] by web112806.mail.gq1.yahoo.com via HTTP; Mon, 26 Oct 2009
I am Lewis Francoise.I am disable and currently living with the eldest of my daughters (Mariet) in the UK and my wife ( Anne)searches and auctions antiques and is presently studying Culture languages in Leeds,he think its a disturbing idea that i live alone with no one to take care of me concidering my present condition ,i also am taking the opportunity to be with Mariet because she has just put to bed.
It’s Annas’ idea that we leave our home locked up because of the terrible experience we had with the last tenant and the expenses the carelessness of the realtors left us to bare alone. But i seem to think otherwise,thats why we have decided to look for someone responsible and genuine to occupy and take care of our property like it were his/her own..
Our home is located in a well known street of Paris on Rue rambuteau, boasting a very Parisian atmosphere.. French shops, Antiquities, tea saloon created in an antiquity shop, fine restaurants, and all facilities: Subway 1 min walking distance, many bus stops and a city bus tour are all nearby.
The 60 sqm of this 1 bedroom apartment are very well arranged. The living room is large and equipped with a dining table and 4 chairs, TV with international channels and unlimited Internet access (broadband). Simple and comfortable bedroom, the kitchen is conveniently equipped with dishwasher, oven, microwave, coffee maker, kettle, and all kitchen utensils needed for cooking. The ensuite bathroom is large with a shower. Toilet separated.
I have attached pics of our home to this mail ………….hope you like them.
We will await your response
regards,
Lewis Francoise
This site began as a warning about housing scams encountered while searching for a flat in Paris. But in fact, the warnings apply to any search for accommodation via the Internet, anywhere in the world.
