.The following warning appeared on Craigslist Paris today. Beware!:
.
WATCH OUT: SCAMMER Karleigh Antell (karleigh_antell@yahoo.co.uk) (READ THIS)
Here is his ad:EUR500 Room for rent (Paris)
Reply to: hous-884448069@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-10-18, 11:50PM CESTIdeally located in Paris, at 50 meters from a subway station (line4) that goes through all Paris, and takes you to Montparnasse in 10 minutes.
Tramway and many buses at 2 minutes: 28 to Champs de Mars and the Champs Elysees, 38 to Latin quarter, 68 to the Opera House and the famous department stores,RER B at 5 minutes direct toward Charles de Gaulle airport.
Safe area, typical parisian cafe-terrasses nearby, close shopping, including a small supermarket, bakery, drugstore, etc
For your leisures, above all the parisian life night, you’ll find a movie theater at 5 minutes by foot, and the lovely Montsouris Park
Quiet and light modern apartment, wooden floors, 3bedrooms, living/dining room, kitchen & separate bathroom and toilet.
Furnished, fully equipped (washing machine, dishwasher, microwave,fan, ovens, television, hi-fi,Modern Kitchen, High Speed Internet ETC)
Closest University
Sorbonne University nearby
Orsay
Location: Paris
it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 884448069Here is what he replies:
The room is still available.We are from Leeds in England and currently not in Paris.We only use this house for our annual family vacation,it is a 3bedroom house we are renting 2rooms my room and my kid brother’s room.We have a 22yrs female Russian student in my brother’s room already.The house is fully furnished.It is located at 12 Rue Monge, 75005 5ème Arrondissement, Paris.
The room is 500Euro per month covers all utilities with refundable 600Euro security deposit.Minimum stay is 1month.Regards making payment you will make deposit of 300Euro if you really want us to reserve the room for you,this is to assure us that you are serious in taking the room.So that my dad will come to Paris to usher you into the house and collect the balance in cash.We have had some bad experiences in the past where my dad scheduled to meet with people but on arriving Paris none of them came money,energy and time wasted.Since them my dad maintained that anybody that wants to rent our house must make deposit before he will leave UK to Paris.If you are comfortable with this arrangement get back to me so that i will send you pictures.
You can call my dad Mr.Collins Antell on +447024098894 or +447024010697
Karleigh
Tags: apartment rental scams, craigslist fraud, craigslist scams, nigerian scams, room rental scams, scammers, scams, thieves, western union scams
October 21, 2008 at 9:55 am |
We see a lot of victims of these scams coming to our site. Thank you for posting information about this. It really helps to spread the word about these scams.
October 27, 2008 at 8:37 am |
Thanks for the warning.
November 16, 2008 at 7:14 am |
Just recieved the same mail but for Barcelona though.. funny..
From: Karleigh Antell
Date: Sun, Nov 16, 2008 at 5:42 AM
Subject: Re: Apartment in Barcelona
To: Marius Styczen
Hi,
The flat is still available.We are from Leeds in England and currently not in Barcelona.We only use flat for our annual family vacation.The flat is fully furnished.It is located at Ronda Sant Pere 3, 08010 Barcelona.You can rent the flat till November 2009 as we are spending our next vacation in Oslo Norway.
The rent is 800Euro per month covers all utilities with refundable 900Euro security deposit.Minimum stay is 1month.Regards making payment you will make deposit of 400Euro if you really want us to reserve the flat for you, is to assure us that you are serious in taking the flat,so that my dad will come to Barcelona to usher you into the house and collect the balance in cash.We have had some bad experiences in the past where my dad scheduled to meet with people but on arriving Barcelona none of them came money,energy and time wasted.Since them my dad maintained that anybody that wants to rent our flat must make deposit before he will leave UK to Barcelona.If you are comfortable with arrangement get back to me for further details.
Attached is the pictures.
You can call my dad Mr.Collins Antell on +447024098894 or +447024010697
Karleigh
November 22, 2008 at 7:41 am |
Also watch out for similar from “Iren Cole”:
—
The room is still available.We are from Leeds in England and currently not in Paris.We only use this apartment for our annual family vacation.The apartment is fully furnished.it is a 3bedroom house we are renting 2rooms my room and my kid brother’s room.It is located at 20, Rue Réaumur 75003 Paris.
The rent is 500Euro per month covers all utilities with refundable 600Euro security deposit.Minimum stay is 1month.Regards making payment you will make deposit of 300Euro if you really want us to reserve the room for you,this is to assure us that you are serious in renting the room,so that my dad will come to Paris to usher you into the house and collect your balance in cash.We have had some bad experiences in the past where my dad scheduled to meet with people but on arriving Paris none of them came money,energy and time wasted.Since them my dad maintained that anybody that wants to rent our house must make deposit before he will leave UK to Paris.If you are comfortable with arrangement get back to me so that i will send you pictures.
Iren
—
As if anyone from Leeds would use phrases like “kid brother”, “vacation”, or american spellings like “meter” or theater”.
December 9, 2008 at 5:12 am |
The same for Milan, Italy by Iren Cole:
-
The room is still available.We are from Leeds in England and currently not in Milan.We only use house for our annual family vacation,it is a 3bedroom house we are renting 2rooms my room and my kid brother’s room.The house is fully furnished.It is located at Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 10, 20133 Milan.The house is few meters away from Politecnico di Milano.
The room is 500Euro per month covers all utilities with refundable 600Euro security deposit.Minimum stay is 1month.Regards making payment you will make deposit of 300Euro if you really want us to reserve the room for you, is to assure us that you are serious in taking the room.So that my dad will come to Milan to usher you into the house and collect your balance in cash.We have had some bad experiences in the past where my dad scheduled to meet with people but on arriving Milan none of them came money,energy and time wasted.Since them my dad maintained that anybody that wants to rent our house must make deposit before he will leave UK to Milan..If you are comfortable with arrangement get back to me so that i will send you pictures.
You can call my dad Mr.Brian Cole on +447024098894 or +447024010697
Iren
December 14, 2008 at 10:55 pm |
This is very concerning. My dad and I were almost completely scammed by two different women from the UK contacting us about a room for rent here in the states. Very scary situation. I’m glad that I was able to catch the similarities between emails. I’m very thankful for this site now.
January 14, 2009 at 10:29 am |
Same story in Stockholm
March 2, 2009 at 10:27 am |
Same story in Rome!
Contacts: Irene Cole (irenecole44@yahoo.co.uk) dad: Brian Cole (briancoleo1@aol.co.uk), from Leeds.
Quote (after having paid 200 Euro, but were unwilling to pay another 400 Euro):
“My dad was just mad at me as he got home now.Before that he called home and asked me how much that you sent i told.When he got home he was so mad at me because he was embarrassed by the western agent for filling in wrong information.He filled 600Euro instead of 200Euro.Right now he said i should tell you to complete the deposit but in a situation where you cannot complete it that you should kindly send us information that he will use to send your 200Euro back to you.Please it is all my fault he passed the instructions to me on phone and i think there is mistake somewhere.I am so sorry for the inconvenience and plead your indulgence and understanding.Please call him. Once again i am so sorry and hope you will understand me.”
Irene
And her “daddy”:
“[...] I have norm and ethics that guide my rental but unfortunately my daughter could not carry out my instruction as it was giving to her.At 18years my daughter is old enough to assist me in a situation like this but i wonder why though she told me she did not assimilate my instruction but my annoyance is that she would have asked.
Formally i use my lawyer but i found the need that i have to scrutinise who so ever wants to rent in my home myself.If the rental is in my lawyer’s custody you will not pay anything less than a month rent and security fee but i tried to be considrate asking for only security deposit for reservation.
My son i want you to live in my home but if by any reason you cannot come up with the balance kindly equip me with information so i can send your money back to you.
Brian Cole”
I learned it the hard way, sigh!
Take care, fellows!
March 16, 2009 at 9:01 pm |
I was conned too. I am just so worried I sent them my personal information (on their application) and photocopy of my passport. Does it matter?
Should have googled their names first.
I am from US and trying to find a place to live in Roma for summer vacation.
April 6, 2009 at 2:31 pm |
is this a scam not sure but from the looks of it i think so cause the landlord is apparently in West Africa and is looking for someone to take care of the place for some time approximately 3 yrs..
Address: Ottawa, ON View map
Location: Ottawa
Date Listed: 03-Apr-09
This is a nice and furnished 2 bedroom apartment.It has a large living room,spacious bedrooms,bathrooms,kitchen and toilet.It is available now and situated in a secure neighborhood.It is close to all amenities,shopping e.t.c.
Dishwasher,fridge,stove,microwave,washer,dryer included.
Heat,electricity,water,cable,high speed internet included in the rent.Suitable for
couples,bachelors,professionals.Pets allowed,children allowed,smoking negotiable
April 14, 2009 at 2:04 pm |
I found (and replied) at this annonce too. I’m worried because I’ve already sent the application with a copy of my document, could I have any problems for that?
I waited too much to look for Mister Cole and his daughter in Google!!
I’m from Italy and I’m looking a place in Paris…I hope to have more chance!
April 20, 2009 at 12:55 am |
Same story here in Belgium and Paris. I just got the money back in time.
Never send money to people you don’t know or haven’t seen!
A good lesson, I learned it the hard way!
April 26, 2009 at 11:36 am |
Beware hi!
I was victim of the same con by this Irene and his father. How did you do to get your money back? Please let me know.
September 3, 2009 at 4:43 am
Sorry for the late answer
I saw it just now
i just blocked the money in time..
It is possible via western union to block your money
if it isn’t withdrawn yet off course…
May 20, 2009 at 7:36 am |
I was also a victim to these scammers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paid for the lesson!
July 10, 2009 at 11:52 am |
Same thing for an apt. in Austria. Excactly the same email. I communicated back and forth with these ‘people’ several times, even noting that I was uncomfortable with their ‘rental application’ as they asked for a lot of private information. I ended up leaving quite a bit of information off of it. I wanted to pay their deposit today but was uncomfortable so I did a quick search on dad “Brian Cole” from Leeds and “Irene Cole” and came across this. Thanks to everyone for sharing their information. Big lesson confirmed: if something feels wrong..don’t jump in.
July 17, 2009 at 4:18 am |
Thank you for the warning!
They are trying the same in Craiglist Copenhagen. I didn´t like the idea of paying in advance so decided to google this Irene and Brian Cole.. The message they sent me was very similar to what people here have descrived. They even sent me an e-mail address of russian “Anna” who would have been my future roommate.
July 28, 2009 at 12:39 am |
Thank you for the warning too! It saved me and my friends some money. The conditions seemed simply way too good compared to the market, we just did not like the idea of paying in advance, neither a small part.
There are many more of them in Craiglist Copenhagen. In fact, five out of five replies from them were scammers (I traced their emails with three of four online tools, they all came up to an IP address in Laos, Nigeria) so be aware guys-
August 3, 2009 at 1:41 pm |
I was also a victim to these scammers while trying to find a place to saty in Copenhagen. The e-mails were exactly the same as the ones reproduced here. Lost 500 euros. Anyone went to the police to denounce that?
I only have one doubt: if the e-mails were from Nigeria, how would this “Brian Cole” withdraw the money at a Western Union agency in the UK?
I am very worried with the fact that they have my personal information.
September 1, 2009 at 12:39 pm |
I have a different ad from Craigslist New York. My wife luckily showed me the reply from the supposed landlady before wiring the money.
I’m not 100% sure, but 99% that this IS A SCAM. The name of the landlady: WANDA HERNANDEZ. After seeing the template above, and the resemblance in some aspects (articulate story, they seem to care a lot about the apartment being clean, etc.), my conviction raised to 99.9%.
Wanda Hernandez asks for 90$ a night in Manhattan, with, of course a reservation deposit via WESTERN UNION (supposedly because she reached the limit of her paypal account).
When I read Western Union, it yelled to me: SCAM, BEWARE!
Be especially careful when a deal seems too good to be true.
September 15, 2009 at 8:06 am |
Be Careful, he is also active for a room in Vienna. Because of this site, (thanks to you all) we were warned.
Armelingstrasse 7, Mariahilf, Vienna
Also nice room ….., also Irene and dad…… and they asked a deposit to UK of 200 € and 200 € cash …. with a very professional rental application form.
Beware!
September 17, 2009 at 7:12 pm |
I was a victim of a Scam. Looking for an apartment to stay in NY I find one located at soho at a very good price. It was posted by Christiana Milinda ( christiana20027@yahoo.com). I transfer her the 40% deposit via MoneyGram and 2 days later she asked me to send her the whole amount because many people were contacting her for the apartment. I denied that and she never returned me the money. She uses the excuse of being disable for asking you to send the money to her doughter called WANDA HERNANDEZ Be aware because after being scammed I look after her and she has other apartments published in craiglist (and maybe in other sites).
September 23, 2009 at 1:22 am |
Thank you so much for leaving these comments. My friends and I were looking for an apartment for a short holiday and came across WANDA HERNANDEZ.
She told me the exact same thing she told Enrique. She said to wire the money through Western Union, because she reached her maximum limit at PayPal. I was actually going to pay her today….It’s a good thing that I read this first!
September 26, 2009 at 6:02 am |
Same in Munich.
September 30, 2009 at 5:01 am |
Looks like there is a scam in Copenhagen Brydes Allé, a very nice apartment, for well-below market value, they guy gives too much info; daughter is pregnant, wife has died, cannot show apartment, he forwarded a passport – which has been used for previous scams number 027282397.
He is apparently in Manchester – any more needed – SCAM!!
October 27, 2009 at 3:05 pm |
Once again, Irene and Brian Cole, fell for it, only then googled them. Sernt them 400 euros as prepayment for Aprtment in Austria. I went to the police, they said that they can track where email adress is accessed and also who owns the bank account because there is a special division for internet fraud. We will see how it goes. Lesson for life I guess, just was too nice of a miracle.
October 27, 2009 at 3:15 pm |
Bogdan, sorry to hear you were scammed. Please post back and let us know the outcome, i.e. whether the police were able to identify the fraudsters.
October 27, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I will put updates, I actually emailed this Irene and told her I know its a scam and she had the guts to still deny and ask whether I want my money back. We will see what happens, maybe they’ll get scared but I doubt it. Incredible scam, got a copy of my passport and everything bu they can’t use it because I am only 17, and a student, nobody will take a room from a student my age.
October 27, 2009 at 11:56 pm |
These comments about Wanda Hernandez were very helpful! We were looking for an appartment in NY on craigslist and got an e-mail from David Gest(@yahoo.com). He told us the same story about reaching maximum limit and asked us to pay per western union…
October 30, 2009 at 1:05 pm |
Now I will pay for my foolishness! 400 Euro – this is 1/3 of my Erasmus-Grant, what I have get for 4 months in Austria.
In my cause this were “Irene and Brian Cole” too. And the flat in centre of Vienna…
I’m really desperate. Whan can I do?!
(excuse me my mistakes, but I’m not very good in English)
November 3, 2009 at 10:11 am |
I was scammed to a week ago by this Wanda Hernandez, 245E 40th Street, NYC 10016, email wandez01@yahoo.com. Unfortunately, I made a reservation by wiring $360 through Western Union. I discovered it was a scam the day before leaving for NY, when she asked for another $100 to be wired to someone in Texas… She never answered to any of my emails after she canceled the booking. Be extremely careful because she has posted many ads, in particular on German websites.
November 8, 2009 at 11:54 am |
Hi Lurie, we are just as you, we just send a payment for this Wanda girl, and just after sending the money we check over google and found this, we are leaving for NY this friday and now we are very overwelmed with this,
Do you have any information about this Wanda? or could you fond her lately?
The apartment she reserve for us was on the 38st 6E floor 9 in midtown, just in front of Rockefeller Center….
She ask for $360 dlls just as she did with you!
November 7, 2009 at 10:14 am |
Hello
I sow now this web site,im scamd to .im going to the police in monday.
Does anyone know if i can get the money ever back!
I sent them 400€ + 100€ for keys delivery ,
Irene Cole and Brian Cole hh ,shit im scamd
she send me the passport copy from her father to .
November 10, 2009 at 4:59 am |
George – I am sorry I have no further information to provide you with… Wanda Hernandez “cancelled” our booking the day before our arrival when we refused to wire another $100 (as a security deposit she had never requested before) to Donald Schlagel, her “security personnel” who was having a trip to San Antonio… I discovered she is also using the address guest_david@yahoo.com… We did not go to the apartment to see whether a name was matching. When we returned from the US, we sent an email to Craigslist but have not received any answer so far. I do not know what else can be done. Good luck to you.
October 27, 2009 at 3:50 pm |
In the meantime, have a look at some of the articles linked to in the blog’s sidebar. That will give you some idea about who these scammers are and how they operate.
Good luck.