Beware of stolen ads reposted by scammers out to steal your money. When it seems too good to be true, that’s always a Big Red Flag!
A Scamwatch reader writes:
New scam: http://paris.en.craigslist.org/vac/1978097500.html
- Advert Craigslist September 28th.
- Requested to fill out form (agency not registered). Woman calls herself Kate Hagi.
- Asked to provide deposit of 600 euro’s in advance. First paypal is ok; asked to transfer to person: shawannamoore@aol.com. Then we get e-mail mentioning that accountant of Kate has alerted her that paypal has been hacked, and then we get request to wire via Western Union.
- The same apartment is for rent for 680 per night via housing website for expatriates. Quite a difference.
- We get a phone number of Kate, that is picked up by a gentleman that does not speak english well, aparently her assistant (Nigerian???)
Scam ad posted on craigslist:
EUR200 / 3br – EXCEPTIONAL 3 BR LUXURY DESIGNER LOFT IS A BEAUTY OF STYLE & COMFORT (2nd Arrondissement)
Date: 2010-09-28, 7:13PM CEST
Reply to: katehg7@gmail.com [Errors when replying to ads?]This exceptional 310m²/ 3336ft² 3 bedroom luxury designer loft is a beauty of style and comfort: the perfect Paris vacation escape. Every desire has been anticipated in order for you to enjoy a holiday of leisure and pampering. This 3 Bedroom/3 Bath apartment with private balcony is situated on rue Greneta. Now renovated as a state of the art luxury residence, the loft offers an experience of superior quality and comfort, with a wide range of spectacle(please inquire) to enable you to have the most relaxing holiday possible.
The luxury designer loft is a huge space divided over three levels.
Main level:
The main level is about 160m2 and has 8.2 meter/27 foot high ceilings. There is a large living area with a home cinema, composed of a 3 meter/18 foot projection screen and Dolby surround sound stereo, HiFi, a DVD player, and a full range of premium cable channels.A fully equipped chef’s kitchen and dining area overlook the spacious living room. The state of the art kitchen has everything you will need for gourmet cooking and entertaining. The kitchen features a sub-zero full sized fridge and freezer, oven, stove with 4 gas burners, dishwasher, blender, steamer, food processor, espresso machine, filter coffee maker, all utensils, etc.
There will be fresh flowers and a fully stocked kitchen upon your arrival, with bottled water, fresh-squeezed orange juice, fresh fruits, milk, butter, champagne, oils, vinegars, spices, teas, coffee, cookies, and more.
Bedroom 1: Main level – This bedroom features a queen bed and independent bathroom with a huge walk in shower, double limestone sink, wood floors, and a toilet.
Laundry facility: There is a washer/dryer combination for your use.
Level 2:
Master Bedroom: This luxurious room has a queen bed with access to the balcony.
The en suite bathroom has an oversized tub, rain shower, and toilet.Bedroom 3: This cozy bedroom has a couch that opens into a comfortable queen bed, a desk and access to the balcony. When not in use, the room doubles as a perfect study/ office.
The wraparound mezzanine overlooks the main room of the loft. There is a second flat screen TV in the lounge with premium cable channels and a DVD player. There is free unlimited WiFi high speed internet access in the apartment and a printer/scanner/fax for your use during your stay.
All 3 bedrooms are air-conditioned!
Rental Includes
Cable TV: English channels include CNN & BBC
Champagne, Fresh Fruit Basket, & Flowers on Arrival
Complimentary Concierge
Daily housekeeping – available upon request
Detailed guidebook of apartment & neighborhood
Fluent English & French Speaking Greeter
High Speed Wireless Internet w/ Ethernet Cable
Mac Laptop Computer
Maid service once a week for rentals of 10 days or longer
Printer/Scanner/Photocopier/Fax (separate fax line)
Telephone
Three separate multimedia viewing centers with DVD and cable
Amenities
Air conditioning
Balcony with breakfast table & chairs
Bathroom 1: En suite Oversized Bath, Overhead “Rain Shower”, Double sinks, Toilet
Bathroom 2: Oversized Walk-in shower, Double sink, toilet
Bathroom 3: Large walk in “hydro-jet massage” shower
Bedroom 1: Queen Bed
Bedroom 2: Queen Bed
Bedroom 3: Double Bed
Bose stereo system with surround sound & iPod dock
CD Player
Coffee maker
Crib, high chair and folding push-chair available at no extra cost (bedding for crib provided)
Dishwasher
DVD player
Espresso Machine
Fully equipped kitchen with cooking utensils, dishes, & cutlery
Hair dryer
Half Bath: toilet & sink
Home Cinema
Linens & Towels
Microwave
Oven
Private Gym & spa in the Loft
Private Sauna + Hydrojet massage shower
Projector
Refrigerator & freezer
Stove
Washing machine & separate dryer
Wood Floors
Nearby Attractions
All of Central Paris
Beaubourg/ Pompidou Center
Bike rentals
Boulangeries, pâtisseries, and fromageries
Fashion Boutiques (Etienne Marcel, Passage du Cerf, Place des Victoires)
Food and Produce Markets
Gym & Pool nearby
La Bourse (French Stock Market)
Le Marais
Louvre
Montorgueil Market
Palais Royal Gardens
Seine River
Shopping
Sightseeing
Spa nearby
Theatres/Cinemas
Trendy boutiques, cafes & restaurants
