Tag Archives: internet fraud

SCAM WARNING: Gayle Bush

A Scamwatch reader provided the following warning about this prolific scammer, who offers a ficticous apartment using a fake address that doesn’t even exist. They ask for payment by Paypal and promise to send you the keys. Don’t be fooled!

.

SCAM GAYLE BUSH – jimvacationltds@hotmail.com IP 75.72.231.210 – MINNEAPOLIS – dreamcatcher0403@aol.com pour envoi d’argent via Paypal

Les adresses n’existent pas, exemple 45 rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, les n° de cette rue s’arrêtent au 19, exigence de payer et ils envoient les clés etc.

By VACATION RENTAL AGREEMENT & BOOKING FORM
(Intended for occupancy of 30 days or less)

(N.A.R Form V.R.A Revised 1/09)

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN WITH PAYMENT SLIP

45 rue de I’Ancienne Comedie Paris 75006.

The rental is between the following parties:

OWNER: Gayle Bush

OCCUPANT: ________________ please fill

Email: ——————————————————————

N.B; Please fill below for receipt of payment to be sent.

Address: _________________________________

City/ State / Zip :_______/________/_________)

Cell phone: _________________

Phone: (Home) _________________ (Work) ______________Extension___

1. DATE OF AGREEMENT: ——————————

2. TERM: The term of this lease is for —————————- commencing on (Arrival Date) And ending on (Departure Date) ———————————-

The Premises will be ready for occupancy at 9:00 a.m. on the commencement.

3. RENT: The rent is EUR 3150 for 3 Months {Tax and utilities Fee Inclusive}
NO OF NIGHTS TO BE SPENT: 3 Months

PAYMENTS {Occupants agrees to the Following Payments condition and Charges}
4. DAMAGE DEPOSIT: EUR 500 (Refundable on Departure where no damages were Incurred during stay at the Apartment.) and shall be given by Tenant as part of the rental Fee summing the total amount to be paid as (EUR 3650 which includes Rent and Damage deposit) 60% of EUR 3650 is EUR 2400 to hold down the date.

PAYMENT TO BE MADE VIA SECURE PAY PAL TO THE BELOW INFORMATION.

dreamcatcher0403@aol.com

5. RULES/ORDINANCES: TENANT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT PREMISES ARE IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WITH NEIGHBORS ON EITHER SIDE. LOUD, NOISY OR OFFENSIVE PARTIES OR ACTIVITIES ARE NOT ALLOWED.

Tenant agrees to comply with all covenants, conditions and Restrictions, rules, regulations, and decisions of Landlord, which are at any time posted on Premises or delivered to Tenant. Tenant shall pay any fines or charges imposed by local authorities, due to Violations by Tenant, or the guests or licensees of Tenant. Tenant shall not, and shall ensure that guests and licensees of Tenant shall Not disturb, endanger, or interfere with neighbors, or use the Premises for unlawful purposes, including, but not limited to, using, Manufacturing, selling, storing, or transporting illicit drugs or
Other contraband, or violate any law or ordinance, or commit waste or A nuisance upon or about the Premises.

6. MAXIMUM OCCUPANTS: The Premises are for the sole use as a personal Residence by the following named persons only:

List below: Names; Occupation/ age (if child)

______________________________

7. Resident is to be responsible for insect, rodent, and pest control.

8. Resident agrees not to assign this Agreement, nor to sublet any Part of the property, nor to allow another person to live therein Other than as named in paragraph #7 above, without first receiving WRITTEN permission from the Owner/Agent and paying the appropriate Surcharge.

9. Resident will not be responsible for payment of the following: Electricity, water and sewer, garbage pick-up, telephone, cable TV, And other bills incurred during residency. Resident specifically Authorizes Owner/Agent to deduct amounts of any unpaid bills from the Security Deposit upon termination of this Agreement.

10. No rights of storage are given by this Agreement. The Owner/Agent Shall not be liable for any loss of property by fire, theft, breakage, Burglary, or otherwise, nor for any accidental damage to persons or Property in or about the leased premises resulting from.

11. Any removal of Owner/Agent’s property without express WRITTEN Permission from the Owner/Agent shall constitute abandonment and Surrender of the premises and termination by the Resident of this Agreement. Owner/Agent may take immediate possession, exclude resident from property, and store all Resident’s possessions at Resident’s Expense pending reimbursement in full for Owner/Agent’s loss and Damage.

12. Owner/Agent has the right to emergency access at any time and Access during reasonable hours to inspect property or to show property To prospective residents.

13. Rental keys, receipt and signed part of this lease form shall be mailed to address given upon Tenant of deposit to enable tenant move In the event Resident takes the apartment, deposit shall be refunded At the end of Lease Term under the condition the apartment is damage Free.

14. NOTICES: Notices to the parties may be served at the Above-referenced addresses.

15. TENANT REPRESENTATIONS: Tenant warrants that all statements made By Tenant in this Agreement and in Tenant’s application rental Application is accurate. Landlord may cancel this Agreement, at any Time, upon discovering that the information provided by Tenant is False.

16. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS: Time is of the essence. All prior Agreements whether written or oral are incorporated in this Agreement which constitutes the entire contract? It may not be contradicted by Evidence of any prior agreement or contemporaneous oral statements or Agreement.

17. OTHER TERMS: PETS AUTHORIZED BY OWNER OR OWNER’S AGENT WHICH WILL INCLUDE AN INCREASED CLEANING AND SECURITY CHARGE.

18. FACSIMILE: The parties agree to accept facsimile transmission of this contract bearing their respective signatures in lieu of Originals.

19. FINAL & BINDING: Accepts from Tenant the SECURITY DEPOSIT of the Rent as provided.

Tenant: ___________________________________ Dated ____________________sign

Owner_______________ Gayle Bush________________________Dated_____04/3/2010____________sign

——————————————————–

More scammer warnings

Watch out for the following scammers (taken from a recent warning posted on Craigslist):

Micheal Mastrull using michealmastrull@yahoo.com and toayomipoc2009@yahoo.com, renting an apartment on the “first come first serve basis”.
.
TEE GEE using teegee1234@gmail.com, only questions, but no information about the accommodation s/he offers.
.
A person using the aliases Adolfo or Gus Balague or Tyan B and others and the email address
abalague@ymail.com, as.systems@ymail.com and others, pretends to have just a one year contract with a shipping company or design company in London and renting out a flat for a year.
.
Stephen Hughes using hughes_stephen@rocketmail.com pretends to own an apartment avenue Henri Martin, requests financial information immediately, no offer to visit the apartment.
.
Aurelie Dorgny using kilowanle@yahoo.com, pretends to have “2 separate bedrooms apartment to rent,the apartment is well furnished with facility and internet wireless is also available.”
.
Camille Philips using philipscamille99@gmail.com, apartment located in the hip Marais (4ème).
furtune me using furtune.me@gmail.com, place in unknown location in central Paris.
.
Phillip David using phillipdavid1969@gmail.com, place in unknown location in central Paris.
.
Scott James using scottjames73@gmail.com pretending to be a retired American engineer, apartment next to the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysés.
.
Anne Matthias using anne.matthias@yahoo.com pretends to have retired to her daughter in the UK because of her handicap and after heavy discussions with her husband to put her apartment in Paris on rent.
.
Carole Dossin using carole_d1985@yahoo.com, offering 85 sqm appartment in 9th arrondissement for 400 euros only!
.
thiery thiery using t.thiery@yahoo.com renting out “alobely place for rent now in center of Paris”.
.
Edward Lockwood using edlockwood1@live.com, asks lots of questions without providing information about rental.

BEWARE of scammer using alias “Jeremy Wall”

Yet another scammail making the rounds on Craigslist Paris. Scams like the one below are pretty obvious: the entire message screams SCAM!

On Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 1:54 PM, Jeremy Wall <lawj.wall@gmail.com> wrote:

My name is Jeremy Wall . A American Man Base in Paris…but currently United kingdom . Am happy to sublet my lovely one bedroom studio apartment apartment… 58sqm living room and 1 terraces. Located city central “Paris” . Huge and fully equipped kitchen. Stereo and plasma TV with DVD player,internal laundry. 920 per month + utilities… plus one month deposit which refundable  when living…The decoration is elaborate and elegant. This glamorous and cosmopolitan  is very beautiful (with a hydro massage shower) private toilet and bathroom.
High-speed Internet connection.There is a public parking facility in the same building.The rooms are available for immediate move in. Only serious inquires please. get back to me . you can also call me on +447035982523.

Regard.

SCAM ALERT: Beware of “Oliver Nelson” (benterfreez@yahoo.com)

The following scam rental offer was forwarded by a Scamwatch reader who received it after responding to an ad on Craigslist Paris. The fraudster uses the alias “Oliver Nelson” (benterfreez@yahoo.com) and claims to have an apartment at 48 rue de Vignoles, 75020 Paris. Note the ridiculously low price for the apartment described and the bizarre, long-winded, convoluted and overly detailed message, typical of nigerian scam offers. Don’t be fooled!

.
.
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Oliver Nelson <benterfreez@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, Apr 6, 2009
Subject: Re: Your ad on Craigs list
To: 
Hello,
Thanks very much  for your Kind interest in my apartment, i am delighted to let you know that my apartment is presently available now even for long and short term periods.Presently,no one is occupying my apartment and it will be a great priviledge renting you my Nice apartment located at the city centre of Paris. My apartment is located at 48 rue des vignoles , Paris, 75020 . You are free to go and view the apartment from the outside but as for the inside,you will not be able to have access to it because the keys are with me and i don’t have any of my relations or friends over there who can view you my apartment except i myself.I will be more than willing to come over on time to view you my properties if you are ready to satisfy my criterias below. 
   
   Little introduction about myself,I am Mr Oliver Nelson whom originated from France.Actually,my mother is from France while my father is from England. I studied Acoounting at London College of Accountancy (LCA) which makes me a qualified Accountant..I was in Paris for my PHD last year March,during that time,i purchase the apartment and all documents are with my lawyer right here in England..I have been a very busy person but i don’t like the way my apartment is vacant..I gave it out to an Agent last year,but the agent ripped me off and since then,i withdrew his services from taking control of my apartment.So presently,my apartment is vacant and i am really in search of a reliable and transparent tenant who will take the place and assure me of ultimate neatness,and I assure you that you will not regret renting my apartment.ok.
   I understand that you will love to have a clear look at my apartment inside before you make your final decision but as you understand that i am presently in England,and i have a very tight and busy schedule,it is not always easy for me to come over and view tenants my apartment with confirming such tenants seriousness..Due to the bad experience i had with my previous tenants..Most times last year,i travel over to meet tenants whom in the longrun,i discover they are merely time wasters ,since the end of this year,i came up with the idea of confirming the deposit payment of any tenants before coming down to view such tenant my apartment…So i will want you to understand that i will love to confirm your seriousness before i can come over to handover you the keys for you to view my apartment and move in.Infact,i give you all assurance that you will love my apartment and there is no doubt that you will surely rent it after i view it for you.
    Notwithstanding,the deposit payment which is payable before my coming over is also refundable at the termination of the contract or after viewing you my apartment and you don’t love it due to any discrepancies in it when compared to what i show to you in the pictures sent to you via email and physically.ok.So you just calm and do things the way it should be done,and i assure you that you will not regret loving and renting my apartment.
DETAILS ABOUT MY APARTMENT……….
Address: 48 rue des vignoles , Paris, 75020
Size of the Whole Apartment :85 m square
Number of bedrooms:2
Number of bathrooms:2
Max number of people:6
Floor:Ground floor.
Monthly rental price: €300.00 per room  and 600euros for the whole apartment including all bills
Security Deposit: €1000
Pictures available:YES
AMENITIES AVAILABLE OUTSIDE
Barbecue Disabled Facilities Sauna
INSIDE
Kitchen,washing Machine,American Kitchen Fridge & Freezer Oven,Microwave Dish Washer Crockery & Utensils,Bath Shower Hair Dryer,TowelsExtra features
Internet Dial Up, Internet Broadband Cable/Satelite
TV,Stereo/Radio System DVD Player,DVD/Music Collection
Library Telephone Fax
Central Heating Air Conditioning
Pets Welcome    
 
You will be confirming  these upon our meeting to view the apartment together and signed up the contract.
 
TERMS IN THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS WHICH WE WILL SIGN.
1. The Tenant Will Pay a month Rent and Security Deposit in Advance to the Landlord Before Moving in to show a Good Sign of seriousness and the Security Deposit will be refunded back to the Tenant and the return of funds must be completed not later than 2 days of the termination of the Contract.
2.Due to the fact that the I am presently out of Paris, I will love to tell you that i will only be available for the viewing of the contract after we have both signed a contract documents and also confirm your deposit payment which is payable via western union money transfer.
                                          
3.The Tenant’s must  agree that they and their respective invited visitors will not : i. Commit any act, which results in serious disruption of the rights of each to peacefully Occupy the premises
  ii. Commit any act, which results in physical harm to the parties, a member of her household, visitors or neighbors
  iii. Cause or allow invited visitors to cause a nuisance.
  iv. Commit any form of harassment on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability, which may interfere with the peace
 and comfort of, or cause offense to, each other, a member of her household, visitors or neighbors.
  v.. Play or allow to be played any radio, television, record or tape recording or musical instrument so loudly that it causes a nuisance or annoyance to the other party.
 
 (b) Use of Premises: The Tenant agrees to use the premises for residential purposes and not to operate a business at the premises nor to use the premises for any illegal purposes.
(C)Both the Landlord and tenants must exchange passport id for easy recognition and for both parties to have a good idea of eachother.So if you’re agreed with my terms and conditions above, kindly get back to me with the following details for the contract documents.. 
Name in Full..
 Address…
 Nationality…
 Passport Id number…
 Date of move in and out….
 Phone number….
  Sex………………Male or Female.   Also,get back to me with your passport id card scanned to me.ok.
 Hope to read from you soonest.
 Regards,
Nelson.
 +447024059769
 
 

BEWARE of SCAMMER Tish Heavens’ offer to housesit

The following warnings have appeared on Craigslist:

BEWARE of SCAMMER offer to House Sit (Paris)

Date: 2009-04-13, 3:57PM CEST

Fellow Craig’s List Users :
BEWARE of SCAMMER offer to House Sit an apartment in Le Marais, Paris
A scammer calling herself Tish Heavens, or Gruen Matthias, or the like, suggests you pay a ‘security deposit’ of 380 euros via MONEYGRAM or Western Union, in return for HOUSE SITTING ‘her’ apartment in Paris rather than doing a swap. [To see who's behind "tish.heavens@yahoo.com", click here]
1. she is a fake and a scam artist and it attempting a 419-scam (for scam help see http://scambuster419.co.uk/ and http://www.fraudwatchers.org)
2. the email she sends (below) has photos attached as shown below which are lifted off a web site
3. the size of the apartment she describes in her mail is much smaller than the photos reveal the real apartment to be
4. she sends the same details and agrees to let many people use the apartment at the same time
5. the phone numbers, names and addresses ‘she’ provides are erroneous
6. this persons think they are clever, and can be, but don’t be tricked into doing anything other than perhaps wasting their time – sweet revenge
6. ‘she’ uses Yahoo or Hotmail which are all but untraceable for us, but you can report the details to : abuse@yahoo.co.uk
7. The UK Metropolitan Police also want other people to report this person to them, as part of their case against these fraudsters : fraud.alert@met.police.uk
the email sent : “thanks for your interest in our home .I am Tish Heavens.I am disable and currently living with the eldest of my daughters (Garvy) in the UK.my husband ( Keith) searches and auctions antiques and is presently studying Culture languages in Bristol,he thinks it’s a disturbing idea that i live alone with no care or assistance concidering my present condition, so i will be staying in the Uk for as long as he will be away ,i also am taking the opportunity to be with Garvy because she has just put to bed.Its Keith’s 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,that’s 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. We are not exactly looking for a swap since we already are comfortable with where we live at the moment but we are more concerned about finding responsible and genuine person/persons to occupy and respect our home and properties.Our home is 2 bedroom in the heart of The Marais and the Louvre : rue Rambuteau is one of the 3 bests streets of the heart of the Marais. (close to the Pompidou center). (+ rue Lombards and rue Quincampoix. This apartment is decorated with a lot of taste and fine furniture. The living room which also serves as a dinner area is comfortable and pleasant.. The apartment is in a 18th Century building, in the authentic Marais district.The bedroom is equipped with a queensize bed. The apartment is 60 sqm and accommodates up to 6 people comfortably,facilities you will enjoy in our home includes laundry facilities,wireless internet services,saterlite TV.” Photos shown below :
FOREWARNED IS FORARMED
FRAUD Ella Mick-Tish 61 rambuteau (paris)
Date: 2009-05-14, 1:13AM CEST
Look for scam by ella mick or tish and likely other aliases. She/he is supposedly renting an apt at 61 Rambuteau
She/he claims to be disabled, had bad experiences with rental
agenct . Husband Josh in Bristol, lives with daughter.

She/he gives mailing address as : 249 Blackfriars Road, London

See Fraud Watchers for more stories on Ella Mick and various aka’s, ex. Tish….

Internet rental scams: Who’s behind them?

The majority of apartment rental scams rampant on Craigslist and other websites are a variation of Nigerian “419″ advance fee fraud, perpetrated worldwide mainly from the boiler rooms and cyber cafés of Lagos, Nigeria.

 

Nigeria scams targeted (video courtesy ITN/CNN)

 

More videos and links here.

Also read this Los Angeles Times article.

 

Four more housing scams reported

By John Windrow, Honolulu Advertiser, Feb 15, 2009

At least four more rental property owners have come forward to report that they believe they were targeted by Nigerian scammers trying to dupe people into renting homes the scammers did not own.

A spokesman at the Kailua police substation said that three people who were advertising rentals on O’ahu had called and said they believed someone from Nigeria was advertising their properties on Web sites and trying to rent them under false pretenses.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

If rental sounds too good to be true, it probably is

BY JONDI GUMZ – San Jose Mercury News (U.S.), December 4, 2008

With foreclosures rising and affordable rentals hard to find in Santa Cruz County, scammers are teasing prospective tenants and landlords with offers on Craiglist that are too good to be true.
“It’s getting outrageous. There are so many scams,” said Robin Gysin of the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office. “There is no sheriff on the site — it’s buyer beware.”

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Local man victim of internet scam

by Rebecca Medel, Pincher Creek Echo (Canada), October 30, 2008

Sandor Lengyel is the first to blame himself for falling for an internet scam and losing $966.

“I have to blame myself. I was stupid,” he said.

Lengyel lives in Pincher Creek with his family and moved to Canada from Hungary about six years ago. On Oct. 17 he inquired about an apartment in Edmonton on a popular advertising website and received a reply the same day from a woman, who said she was the property owner.

The woman said she and her family had recently moved to West Africa as missionaries and were looking for a trustworthy tenant to look after their property.

She asked Lengyel to send her the first months rent via Western Union.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Would-be renters scammed

By BILL KAUFMANN, Calgary Sun (Canada), October 30, 2008 

Consumer advocates are warning Calgarians about scammers exploiting genuine real estate listings to rip off people seeking rental properties.

The heads-up comes after a city couple desperately seeking a home to rent fell for the scheme they found on a website Oct. 12 — wiring $966 to a Nigerian recipient claiming to be a Calgary doctor headed to Africa to do Christian missionary work with a southwest home for rent.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

BIG RED FLAG: Request for payment via Western Union

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:

Nigeria Multi-links Telecommunications Ltd:  82.128.0.0 - 82.128.127.255

Nigeria Assigned to Lagos Dial-pool customers:  41.219.247.0 - 41.219.247.255

Nigeria Afrinic: 41.204.224.0 - 41.204.227.255 and  196.29.216.0 - 196.29.223.255

Nigeria Choizcom 83.229.69.128 - 83.229.69.191

Nigeria SurfSpot Communications 81.199.176.128 - 81.199.176.255

United Kingdom Skyvision Holdings Ltd: 78.0.0.0 - 78.255.255.255

United Kingdom Tertiarydns Internet Solutions And Security Consultants: 91.186.10.0 - 91.186.10.65

United States Sterling Bringcom Inc 204.16.124.0 - 204.16.127.255

Gilat Satcom Range 81.199.52.0 - 81.199.53.255 and 217.21.64.0 - 217.21.95.255 (have a look at Gilat Satcom’s rap sheet here).

.Tertiary dns

PLEASE WRITE TO CRAIGSLIST (USE THIS LINK) AND EXPATRIATES.COM (contact@expatriates.com)

AND ASK THEM TO BAN THESE IP ADDRESSES FROM ACCESSING THEIR SITES!

REPORT FRAUD TO NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (EFCC).

For a few general tips and tools on how to protect yourself from apartment scams in Paris (and elsewhere), click here.

Good luck in your search for an apartment.

Stay safe!

New scam warnings: Doris Miller

Scammer Doris Miller runs the same scam in London and Amsterdam:
doris_miller890@yahoo.com
On Sat, Aug 2, 2008 at 2:33 AM, Doris Miller <doris_millerr890@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hello, 
  
   I am Doris ,from London . I saw your advert ( looking for a 1 bedroom ).I have a 1 bedroom in total + kitchen+toilets,the apartment  is fully furnished with (gas, washing machine , fridge, tv, dvd, beds) which is  located in the city area belonging to my Father in-law .He built the apartment when he was working but he has retired from work now,he will like to rent the apartment out to someone who can take good care of all the facilities he kept in it .If you are interested kindly mail me back for more info and  i will like to know where you are located ..
 
 
Doris
.
On Sat, Aug 2, 2008 at 1:33 AM, Doris Miller <doris_miller890@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hello, 
  
   I am Doris ,from Amsterdam . I saw your advert ( looking for a 1 bedroom ).I have a 1 bedroom in total + kitchen+toilets,the apartment  is fully furnished with (gas, washing machine , fridge, tv, dvd, beds) which is  located in the city area belonging to my Father in-law .He built the apartment when he was working but he has retired from work now,he will like to rent the apartment out to someone who can take good care of all the facilities he kept in it .If you are interested kindly mail me back for more info and  i will like to know where you are located ..
 
 
Doris
.
The pic of the apartment is attached on the file of these message. My Father in-law is the owner of the apartment is on a tour to the western coast of africa and will only come back to visit the apartment occasionally  .The rent will cost you 550 euros/month,we will needing 450 euro from your first month rent it will be paid to the lawyer, he will use to secure the apartment for you and also preapare all necessary papers for your stay in the apartment  so that when come you just move into the apartment without any problem. The balance will be paid at your convinent time,you may be the only one that will stay but if you do not wish to stay alone the other room will be rented out to the next applicant .The apartment has all the necessary amenities you will need (internet service, washing machine and so on ).The lawyer will need 100% of the  payment so that the apartment will be secured as soon as possible for you. You are the first to apply for the apartment and my Father in-law has just instructed me to give the apartment out to you and i will like to tell you that you have to act fast in paying the payment so that the apartment can be secure for you.I may wait for you at the airport if you will be coming through that way or we meet in convinent place so that we come to view the apartment. The apartment is located in Jordaan 100m from the Noordermarket and Prinsengracht in the centre of town and the payment  will made to the lawyer as soon as possible, so that all the necessary document will be process as soon as possible .I will need your full name ,contact address and phone that we will use in the preparation of the document ,i await you response asap.thanks 

Doris

.

Thanks to a Scam Watch Reader for this warning.  Also beware of anyone using these email addresses:
.

 

annah.smith85@yahoo.com

bradgeorge209@yahoo.com

brandyshaw111@yahoo.com

brigidasmi@yahoo.com

chicagogodwin@yahoo.com

christamber@yahoo.com

collinsalbert08@gmail.com

colomboapartment@googlemail.com

corly81@yahoo.com

david_mark1920@yahoo.com

dericluv102@yahoo.com

dominic.marshall@live.com

dr.timothy90@gmail.com

emmanueljackson29@yahoo.com

enprive@gmail.com

ericchek@gmail.com

fmiller72@yahoo.com

freebeez@rocketmail.com

geve_boo@yahoo.com

godismighty@ymail.com

gunkyrevs@yahoo.com

jacob.hall000@gmail.com

jerrycoal06@gmail.com

joanne_belly1234@yahoo.es

karenwales222@yahoo.com

kudianaibro900@yahoo.com

kvnkarin6@gmail.com

m4arethas00@gmail.com

m4berth@gmail.com

michala86@googlemail.com

mike_morphychamberx@yahoo.com

mllot002@yahoo.com

mllot002@yahoo.com

mt.huch@gmail.com

nelsen.john@yahoo.com

nicholas_ben07@yahoo.com

parisviproom@gmail.com

pdonladson360@yahoo.co.uk

Phelan.nilson@yahoo.com

picard.rue@gmail.com

renee_presy@ymail.com

richard.lewis001@yahoo.com

rollandwallat@gmail.com

ronaldrushton57@yahoo.com

ronaldrushton58@yahoo.com

rupert_beckley@fastermail.com

s.hollis45@rocketmail.com

samhollis@ymail.com

sarthhom@gmail

smith.gamer1@gmail.com

stonezjamin@yahoo.com

thompson.junior@rocketmail.com

thomyjn@ymail.com

tina.johnson@fsmail.net

van_nelson121@yahoo.com

webloveletters@gmail.com

workwithmiles@yahoo.com

 

WARNING: new scammer Jude Wesley

Scammer Jude Wesley writes using email address wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com. He claims to have an apartment to rent in Paris  but writes from IP address 82.128.20.187, Nigeria Multi-links Telecommunications, a black-listed ISP in Lagos, Nigeria–known as a hotbed of scammers. Don’t fall for this scam!

Here’s the Craigslist ad:

EUR900 Furnished Apartment for rent in Paris France

Reply to: wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com
Date: 2008-08-04, 1:44PM CEST

Furnished apartment for rent in paris france,the apartment consists of a well furnished reception room,well utilized kitchen,3 bedrooms with sitting room , bathroom and toilet, with all home utilities,to have this apartment for rent email me wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com
 

Here’s the scammer’s reply to a request for photos:

From: Jude Wesley <wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com
Subject: Re: EUR900 Furnished Apartment for rent in Paris France
Received: Monday, August 4, 2008, 5:59 PM
.
Here is the Part of the Apartment,,Hope to hear from you
again and let me know your Wishes about My Apartment..

Jude  

 

Fake apartment photo used in this Nigerian rental scam. The scammer claims to rent this place for the unbelievable price of 900 euros per month.

 

The scammer then gets impatient:

From: Jude Wesley <wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com>

Subject: Re: EUR900 Furnished Apartment for rent in Paris France
Received: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 8:36 AM
.
Thanks for the message and here is An Apartment and are you
interest in my Apartment or Not
.
Evidently, he’s mixing up Paris and some place in the U.S.:
.
From: Jude Wesley <wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com>
Subject: Re: EUR900 Furnished Apartment for rent in Paris France
Received: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 1:45 PM
.
Thanks again….My Apartment is located at
West River Road,Estate in Paris ,,Hope you going to like
something kool and silence place to Live and hope to hear
from you again 
 
 
Jude
.
When asked to describe the neighbourhood, here’s what he had to say:
.
From: Jude Wesley <wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com>
Subject: Re: EUR900 Furnished Apartment for rent in Paris France
Received: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 9:59 PM
.
Thanks for the mail again,,,I want you to know that there isn’t any neighbourhood in an Apartment it’s just contain 3 bedroom together with Husband and wife only,,I built this house for me and my wife alone with my Daughter but fortunately i went for a Crusade in the West Africa and i will like you to get in touch with my wife in the USA Brooklyn in New York for more discussion as She is with the keys and the document to the house.Pls i want you to note that,I am a kind of Honest man 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 the house and want you to take care of the house as your own,I want you to keep the house 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. Email my wife Mrs Agnes Jude on agnesluvjude19@yahoo.com and she will attend to you better with more information…
Thanks and you are welcome.
.

BEWARE of cissecoupet@yahoo.fr

Yet another scam on Craigslist Paris today. A two bedroom apartment with a private garage with two spaces simply does not exist in Paris, certainly not at the price offered! Note the “catalogue” photos. Not your typical French furnishings! Beware!!

Reply to: cissecoupet@yahoo.fr
Date: 2008-07-29, 7:34AM CEST

EUR1000 / 2br – Bright Fully /Well Furnished Apartment For Rent (paris)


Beautiful 2 bedrooms apartment in a quiet neighborhood with character. Completely remodeled 2 bed, 2 bath w/ washer/dryer in unit. The private apartment has garage w/ 2 spaces + storage, it’s own water heater and an elevator for your convenience. French doors open up for a nice view of the neighborhood. Owner occupied and very well taken care of. Available in August, this one will go fast.      

Recessed lighting 
New Paint 
New cabinets 
Laminate floors 
New appliances 
Fireplace (turns on w/ flip of switch) 
Washer/Dryer in unit 
Ceiling fans in all rooms 
Stylistic lighting 
Very clean 

Recessed lighting 
New Paint 
New cabinets 
Laminate floors 
New appliances 
Fireplace (turns on w/ flip of switch) 
Washer/Dryer in unit 
Ceiling fans in all rooms 
Stylistic lighting

WARNING: avoid jamekelvin@yahoo.com


Another scam ad on Craigslist, this one using photos stolen from a legitimate Parisian rental agency. Beware!

Reply to: jamekelvin@yahoo.com

EUR850 Paris Apartment Studio Trocadero – Champs Elysees (Paris )


This charming, Louis XVI atmosphere, 36 square meters studio apartment is located rue Copernic in the 16th arrondissement, on the 1st French floor of 19th century building and it sleeps 2 people. This apartment is equipped with : A/C, Unlimited high speed Internet access (wifi), Phone, Cable TV, DVD, Safety Box, Several room services (laudry, shopping, delivery) 
Also provided : Bed linens, Blankets, Pillows, Towels and Kitchen utensils.     

Subway: Victor Hugo – Area: Champs Elysées This apartment is located rue Coprenic Considered as the most beautiful Avenue of the World, in the 8th arrondissement, all the biggest brands are on the “Champs”: Gap, Sephora, Louis Vuitton…. Behind of the Avenue, you will discover small and chic streets with very select bars and restaurants, as well as many shops and stores : Bakeries, Butchers, Supermarkets, Theaters, , Drugstores. Close to the Champs-Elysées, Avenue Montaigne is probably the world’s best place for luxury shopping, with flagship stores of the greatest couturiers in Paris (Christian Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton) and from the entire world (Calvin Klein, Versace, Gucci,…) Many shops and stores are close to the apartment : Bakery, Supermarket, Theater, Restaurant, Cafe, Club, Doctor, Drugstore 

Paris Apartment Studio 

WARNING: fraudster Chrystal Martinez looking for a “Good Decent Person” to scam

.
This scam ad recently appeared on Craigslist Paris. The perpetrator goes by the name Chrystal Martinez (chrystal.martinez17@gmail.com) and offers an extraordinarily convoluted message about being sick, a lawyer and some house papers (see below) :
EUR700 / 1br – Champs Elysees Studio Apartment In Paris
Reply to: hous-769229716@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-07-25, 3:22PM CEST
Luxury central Paris apartment with Champs-Elysees magic, 2 mins to Arc de Triomphe! stunning bathroom w/Victorian bath, internet, private garden for soirées. 
With the magic of the Champs-Elysées literally at your doorstep, this superbly styled Paris apartment boasts of chic French-Bourgeoisie spirit and is nothing short of brilliant. 
It has an eclectic mix of regal antiques, polished granite and marble, with authentic Parisian prints and décor. These are combined with the optimum in luxury, modern design. 
Featuring its own private garden for throwing soirées and an assortment of delightfully quirky art, the Champs-Elysées studio is a true original, right in the glittering heart of Paris. 
More information and pictures available upon request.

Here’s the scammer’s response to a request for more information:
.
On Mon, 7/28/08, Chrystal Martinez <chrystal.martinez17@gmail.com> wrote:
I am so sorry i did not get in touch with you on time, because i was very ill in which i was in the hospital receivng my treatment. I got your email and Thanks for your interest in my 1 Bedroom Flat, i want you to know that my 1-Bedroom Flat is still available for EUR700 per month at 7 rue Arsène Houssaye, Paris 75008, France, The Flat is fully with All Necessary Document registered, I am Glad you response to me on time, i want you to know that i am My wife are very happy and EXCITED that we have finally FOUND a person for our FLAT, i want you to PROMISE us that you will take very good care of the FLAT because is a LOVELY place to stay with FAMILY, Kids,Visitors, E.T.C  Actually my wife and I got relocated to the West Africa on a Christian missionary work in Nigeria to be praise, we are here for missionary trip from France We used to live in France, but since we left for the missionary trip we have to bring the Flat Document papers of the House because of People Who are willing to have the Flat for Rent, And as you asked For, so right now all the House Papers Document are with Our Lawyer here in the West Africa, We Just Got a Lawyer Here in the West Africa, because we are New to the Country, and we are not Yet a Citizen Of the country, so we really need to get a Lawyer for Back-up, in which we will be staying in West Africa Nigeria for 1-3 Yrs in which all our house Papers Document of the FLAT in France is With the Lawyer Because, We have been Provided a New Flat, Accomodation, feeding , here in the West Africa Nigeria, by the Church who brought i and my wife to the West Africa,   
  
If you are interested in our lovely Flat,get back to me with your 
  
FullName—————
Full Address ———-
Phone number——–
City———————–
State———————-
zipcode——————-
Occupation————-
Age————————  
Sex————————
Religion——————
email Address———
Fax Number————
marriage Status——-
Picture If Available—-
  
And Let me Know How many Month or Years You are Willing to Rent my Apartment–So that i can Forward all your information  Directly to The Lawyer and the Lawyer will Get in touch with you, In the Paying of the Flat Fee, Agreement of Month or Years You are Willing to Stay and the Sending of the Document to you for you to have the Flat, the Document will  be scan to you and also be Fax to You, if you have a Fax, and the Document will be Shipped Down to your Home Address Door Next-Day By Via EXPRESS DELIVERY, for you to have the Document at Hand, so you can move into the Flat, we really need a Good Decent Person for The Flat .And i Hope you are Decent And Respectfully Person, If you are interested,get back to me with the Information Below as soon as possible Hope to read from you soonest.
    
 Thanks And God Bless You

Beware of “Paris and Flat”

A Scamwatch reader writes:

The scam involves booking and paying a deposit for a Paris apartment. Upon arrival in Paris you discover the apartment is unavailable (even though you checked with the owner the previous week – translation someone else arrived and wanted to book for longer period) and you are offered “as a favour” a much worse apartment with the promise that they will show you a better apartment tomorrow. You have to reluctantly accept because you are tired and it is late in the day, its the weekend and you are new to the city. Tomorrow comes and the promised apartment is not available today but will be available “tomorrow.” In other words tomorrow never comes. Its a way for them to lease a very bad apartment that they cant normally lease. In the end you give up and look for alternatives but your week in Paris has become disjointed. Your anglo saxon upbringing prevents you from paying nothing for the apartment but they get something for basically an apartment they cant rent. Beware of any group that has “Paris and Flat” in its name. 

 

 

BEWARE of scammer jean.pierr.briot@gmail.com

Beware of an ad posted by a scammer using the email address jean.pierr.briot@gmail.com. The poster is an imposter who claims his “grate” apartment is located at 104 avenue du Président Kennedy, however a quick Paris White Pages search of that address reveals it’s an office building. 

Reply to: jean.pierr.briot@gmail.com
Date: 2008-07-24, 4:14PM CEST

EUR1000 / 2br – Grate and clean apartment for rent at EUR 1000 every month (Paris)

Apartment for rent at EUR 1000 every month. The apartment is located at 104, avenue du Président Kennedy F75016 Paris, with 2 beedroms and 1 bathroom, separated kitchen. The price for one month is EUR 1000 including all utilities. 
Amenities 
* Air conditioning 
* Cable ready 
* High speed internet available 
Kitchen 
* Dishwasher 
* Garbage disposal 
* Microwave 
* Refrigerator 
Laundry 
* Laundry room 
* Washer/dryer in unit 
Outdoor 
* Balcony/Deck/Patio 
Parking 
* Assigned 
Entry 
* Alarm 
Convenience 
* Furnished units available 
Any further questions please feel free to ask me at jean.pierr.briot@gmail.com

WARNING: scammer Maxime Olaossi trolling Craigslist for victims

Maxime Olaossi (maxime.olaossi@yahoo.com.au or maximeolaossi@rocketmail.com) offers an apartment at 10 rue du Chemin Vert, Paris 75011, with not one, but two master bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms, for the amazing price of 700 euros per month! He even volunteers a bogus “certificate of ownership” to appear more legitimate. But in fact, there’s no such thing.  Mr Maxime says he lives in the Republic of Benin, but he actually writes from IP address 41.219.247.38, based in Lagos, Nigeria.  BEWARE OF THIS SHAMELESS SCAMMER!

On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 12:01 PM, Maxime Olaossi <maxime.olaossi@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
Hello,
 
  Thanks for your interest in my Apartment, i am Mr Maxime. i will like to rent the house to someone responsible and that will keep the house clean at all time.
 
 I am in Benin Republic with my family now. i have being transfer to work here in Benin Republic. i work for the Toyota Trucks Company as a mechanical engineering, but i will be working here in Benin Republic for about 2 years and 6 months before coming back home. i can only come on my vacational period to check if you are taking care of the apartment. i have been spending two months here now.. so i will like you to know that i have the keys to the 1 living room,  1 dinning, 2 Master Bedrooms, 1 kitchen, 2 toilet, 2 bathroom with the bedroom, which make it master bedroom Apartment. i will have to send the keys to you throught Fedex or Dhl  Delivery okay? its 700 sq/ft. also the apartment has Internet connection,Water,Electricity, washing machine, Dvd Home theater, TV, Towels and other Utilities you can think of all these are included in the Rent Fee which is 700 euros monthly, but you will have to take very good care of all things inside the apartment before we are back home.
    
 I will not be able to show to you the apartment because i am not arround besides that the apartment is locked. if you want to check the apartment before you move in, you are free.. my Uncle have some spare keys with him. so that he can take you there, but he will be traveling to italy tomorrow Evenin and check on his family, and he will be back by ending of September. but if you can not make it, then i will have to send you the keys if you make the payment for the deposite fee.. If you are interested i will like you to fill the Rent Application Form Below which we will agree on the deposite fee and sending of the keys and Documents to you. i have my ownership certificate
 
 If you want to hear more about the apartment. you can email me or you send me a mail letter through my Home Address here in Benin Rep. or you call my number. 
 
Maxime Olaossi
1413 Border Road, Cotonou, Benin Rep.
(+234) 802 069 6914
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)Occupation?
9)How many months contract?
 
Here are some Picutures of the apartment, my picture, and the Rental Application Form attched for you to see and fill out the Form. That is the address where my apartment is located.  
 
Located in a quiet street between Bastille and Le Marais, near transportation, stores, Opera Bastille and shopping areas
 
Address: 10 rue du Chemin Vert, Paris 75011, France
Nearest Metro / Subway: Breguet Sabin – 200 Meters
Nearest Bus / Tramway: 69 – 100 Meters
Nearest Airport: Roissy Charles de Gaulle – 30 Kilometers
 
Accommodation located in city, leisure area, downtown, near shopping area, near restaurants & bars, near cultural interest, near historical interest, near le marais and bastille 
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.
 
Regards.
Maxime Olaossi’s farcical fake “certificate of ownership” – there’s no such thing!  
.
.
Thanks to a Scam Watch reader for this report.

Scammer Terry Ashade targets students

This scammer writes from IP address 78.138.7.99, which corresponds to United Kingdom Skyvision Holdings Ltd, offering a one-bedroom flat in Paris for 350 euros per month. Don’t fall for this scam!
From: Ashade Terry <ashadeterry@yahoo.com>
Date: July 23, 2008 17:44:47 GMT+02:00
Subject: apt for rent in paris
Reply-To: ashadeterry@yahoo.com

Hello
  i have apartment for rent if you are interested about the apartment, it is 1 bedroom flat,all the best facilities is inside the apartment like my flat has a lounge, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, I have  tv’s, video, dvd, cd player, radio’s,wireless internet connection etc,the amount of the apartment 350 euro per month and damages money which is refundable is 800 euro,and is located near university paris, hope to hear from you as soon as possible, so we can fix a date for the viewing, hope to hear from a carefull tenant, who we take proper care of my apartment, 
.
Followed by:
From: Ashade Terry <ashadeterry@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: apt for rent in paris
Received: Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 7:21 PM
Thanks for your mail and your quick response actually the flat is located at 108, rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75001 Paris,
France…..more so you will have to make a reservation to
the flat so that i can reserve the flat for you and close
my advert by sending your full name and your full contact
address so that i can continue the contract process ..i will be looking forward to hear from you soon.
From: Ashade Terry <ashadeterry@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: apt for rent in paris
Received: Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 7:59 PM
.
 The contract process is for me to know that you are serious and interested in it,so you need to send  your full contact address to prepare contract form.which you will sign and return to me,  to sign my own part before other things,hope to hear from you soon.              

thanks

 

 

 

Then comes the story about being out of town and not being able to show the inside of the apartment….

.

From: Ashade Terry <ashadeterry@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: apt for rent in paris
Received: Thursday, July 24, 2008, 8:25 AM
.
Thanks for your interest in  the apartment, what happens 
next is to send someone to view the apartment at the
particular address given to you and pay the reservation
deposit which we will both sign under the contract
form.thanks for coperation,hear you soon.

 

From: Ashade Terry <ashadeterry@yahoo.com>
Subject: apt for rent in paris 
Received: Thursday, July 24, 2008, 10:36 AM
.
Hello,
         Glad to hear from you again, Actually i
forgot to tell you that am not in Paris for now, am in
Oxford i just secure a very good and well rewarding job so
it will be very hard for me at the moment to view the flat
for your friend, you ought to understand my plight for
now…that is while i sent you some pictures of the
flat….here is the full address of the flat 108, rue du
Faubourg du Temple, 75001 Paris,you can just tell your
friend to go and check the flat out and the environment
where the flat is located….before we embark on any
contract….so i will be waiting for your reply…
And in response to a request for a phone number….
.From: Ashade Terry <ashadeterry@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: apt for rent in paris
Received: Thursday, July 24, 2008, 11:09 AM
Hello,
       I see you are online, Actually my phone number
is not a roaming number in Oxford so i will get another
phone number soon but we can discuss this on internet
because i normally be online…..you can add me on yahoo
messenger list now…
.
When pressed, the scammer did offer the following:
.
From: Ashade Terry <ashadeterry@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: apt for rent in paris
Received: Thursday, July 24, 2008, 3:29 PM
.
Thanks for your interest then,if you really like to
speak with me on phone you can try flat mate
number…….hope to hear your voice soon thanks,
7024065939……bye,hear from you soon.
.
.
From: Ashade Terry <ashadeterry@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: apt for rent in paris
Received: Thursday, July 24, 2008, 4:54 PM
.
Thanks,it is London number because am presently there for my
new secure job,a flat mate number,+447024065939 or
+447024073085,bye hope hear from you soon.
 
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