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Craigslist Real Estate Scam Alert

UPDATE: After reading the post below, you can read more information and variations on the scam in this updated post.

UPDATE March 08: Thanks for the continued comments; while this hasn’t stopped the scammers (international scams are especially hard to rein in), everyone who has commented (even anonymously) has helped others. Clearly the Eric Rosenfeld alias is the popular one now for scammers to use, but that should change constantly.

Consider this post a public service. Two people who I know well were getting close to caught up in a real estate scam on Craigslist, and in the extended entries I’m including the correspondence. Coincidentally, both people who were targeted knew each other and shared the emails with each other and noticed that some of the same wording was in each one, even though they were supposedly sent by different people. Here’s how the scam works:

  • Someone posts a classified ad for a housing rental on Craigslist (the poster is the honest one here, the patsy). Both people I know who got sucked up posted in New York. It’s safe to say this can happen to someone posting in any city, on or off Craigslist, but based on the volume of posts, ease of posting, and diversity of people posting (from those who are struggling financially to the well-heeled who are using all channels available), it’s possible Craigslist is the target for the scam.
  • The scam artist responds in poor English, reminiscent of the Nigerian 419 scams. He claims to be a doctor from the UK – Dennis Johnson and Sanjay Gupta were used in these cases, and if you Google the names, you’ll find that these are actual names of the UK doctors, so depending on your legal definition, it’s likely the scammers are taking part in some form of identity theft. Note the irony that a UK-based doctor who will be working in the US for awhile writes such horrific English. Dr. Johnson couldn’t even spell his own first name consistently, and he seems unsure whether he’s a doctor or a lawyer. (An aside: Johnson’s wife, Loveth Johnson, comes up in a Google search for Nigerian scams.)
  • A bit of back and forth ensues where the scammer asks for details about the apartment and shares more about their plans overseas. Dr. J even mentions Merck CEO Raymond V.Gilmartin will arrange things on his behalf; now that’s one connected renter right there (forget that Gilmartin is actually the former CEO, one who ironically resigned when Congress started investigating the safety issues with Vioxx). While the Gilmartin mention only appeared in one letter of the two scams sent my way, consider the following excerpts from both of the solicitations:
    • Dr. Dennis Johnson: "Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we are making
      arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with
      furniture,so we will need you to provide us with the measurements of
      the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture
      company so that they can supply the unit with furniture that will fit
      in well."
    • Dr. Arun Gupta, PhD: "Due to the limited time that I have before my arrival, I’m making arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furniture, so I will need you to provide me with the measurements of the living room and bedroom so that I can send it to the furniture company so that they can supply the unit with furniture that will fit in well."
  • The scammer says he sent a check for a certain amount to cover the security deposit and a couple months rent, but he used the same check to pay the furniture company too. Yet, surprise, his contact there is going on vacation and needs your help, so you can just refund the difference from the check they’re sending you (don’t try too hard to do the math here). Also, don’t bother Googling company "Debbie Furnitures," as that doesn’t exist. He makes it sound so urgent that someone who totally falls for all of this might just send the check before getting the other. It’s possible he’ll send a check as well, and the recipient will send the refund back before the scammer’s check bounces.

That’s the gist. For the full post, read the extended entry. The main goal for me here is that these letters are included in search engines’ records so that when someone searches for anything remotely connected to these scams, the text will appear (if you’d care to reprint any of this or just link back here, feel free).

The email exchange of the scam is below, in reverse order. Note that personal details of the recipient are omitted.

From: Dennis johnson
[mailto:dr.dennisjohnson247@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 12:25 PM
To: [name]
Subject: RE: $$$00 / 4br – for rent by owner

Thanks for getting back to me,the check that was
sent to you was for the amount of $16,350 and was this is so is that
i asked my financier to include the costs of the furniture that i
am buying from a furniture company,why i asked her to do this is
because she told me that she will be going on her annual vacation
this week and so will not be around to help me to handle my
furniture concerns.I am buying furniture from a furniture
company(Debbie Furnitures) and they should have contacted you as
regards my order by now.We are begging you to please help us to
coordinate the payment and delivery of our furniture with the sales
manager of the company that is directly in charge of our order,you
should deduct the amount for the rent and security deposit which is
$12,000,the balance of $4,350 is the costs of my furniture and the
sales manager of the furniture company will contact you and provide
you with instructions on how to get the money to him.They will
embark on the delivery of our furniture on receipt of the
money,though they will be in contact with you to schedule a
delivery time and date that will be convenient for you to accept
the delivery.Please we do apologise for any inconvenience that this
arrangement may cause you,but we will will really appreciate it if
you can help us to settle our furniture concerns so that the
furniture will be delivered before our arrival in your place,and
this will make us to settle in comfortably when we arrive,you can
understand that transiting cross atlantic is not always easy.

 

Please do let me know if you have heard from
Mrs.Debbie T
the sales manager of the furniture company and do let us know the
position of things with you as we are in the process of booking our
seats on a flight to the states.

Once again,we apologise for any stress this issue may
cause
you,we are looking up to you to help us out.I will appreciate a
response from you on receipt of this email.

Thank you and God bless
Dr.Dennis Johnson

CRAIGSLIST POSTER wrote:

Dr. Johnson,

My name is ——-.  I am  a [profession].  Our address is ——.
Phone is ——. 

I will send you the pictures you asked for and the room
measurements later this evening.  The bedroom will only need a bed.  The closets and cabinets are all built in so that no other
furniture is needed.  I think you will get a better idea from the
pictures.

[name omitted]

 

From: Dennis johnson
[mailto:dr.dennisjohnson247@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 6:21 PM
To: [craigslist poster]
Subject: RE: $$$00 / 4br – for rent by owner

 

Thanks for your mail,i appreciate your wanting to help us in
our situation.I am a lawyer i am currently working with Woodstock Pharmacy 24
High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United Kingdom. I will be in the states for the
next one year with my daughter and during my stay i will be working with
Raymond V.Gilmartin, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Merck
&Co "America’s Leadership in Pharmaceutical Research work.and he will
be handling the rent deposit payment on our behalf,we will instruct him to send
you the check for this as soon as you give us the go ahead to make payment to
you.  Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we are
making arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with
furniture,so we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living
room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company so that they
can supply the unit with furniture that will fit in well.  As regards the
lease agreement,i want you to send it to me for my review,i will eventually
have it filled and signed on my arrival in your place as i am of the opinion
that such documents are best filled and signed physically.We can start the
lease by 10 of Dec  and we will be doing a one year lease although we will
not be arriving until the End of Dec.You can prepare the lease in my my name
Dr.Dennis johnson    and my wife’s name Mrs.Loveth
Johnson.  Let us know how to move aheadas we intend to complete this deal
before we move in ,we will let you know the exact date as soon as we get a
booking on a flight to the states.
I would be needing your contacts details where the payment would be mailed out
to in this form  such as the Fullname,Address,City,State,Zipcode and Valid
Phone Numbers.
We hope to hear from you soon and We look forward to meeting you soon
           Best Regards,
Dr .Denni Johnson of Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United
Kingdom

[CRAIGSLIST POSTER] wrote:

Dear Dr. Johnson,

Yes I am the owner of the house for rent.  It is still
available.  The rental is $$$.00 per month; the security is $$$00.
The utilities include electricity and gas which come to about $$$0.00 per
month.  Water bills average about $$00-$00 per month.  We have Oil
heat which averages $$00 per month for the entire year. The house is
available as of January 1, 2008. 

Where are you so that I can speak to you on the phone at an
appropriate time.  You can call me anytime you wish at our home tel # [———].

I will send you pictures of the rooms a little later this
evening.  If you are still interested, I will be happy to send you a
lease. 

[names omitted]

 

From: Dennis johnson
[mailto:dr.dennisjohnson247@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 10:34 AM
To: [craigslist anonymous email address]
Subject: $5500 / 4br – Dream House for rent by owner

 

**
CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals,
work-at-home

** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow,
shipping

** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

Hello,
    
        I come across your apartment
advertised on the internet and i am interested in renting it,please let me know
if it is still available.I will be signing one year lease for this unit and
will be staying with my wife and daughter, and will be willing to offer you 2
months rent plus the security deposit in order to secure this unit prior to our
arrival. Could you be kind enough to let me know what the electricity/utility
cost would be ?as i will really need to have this unit to myself. You can send
me the lease application , to enable be review it ahead of time.i would
eventually have it signed physically when i arrive.In my opinion, appending
signatories should be done properly and at best physically.Please , send me a
picture view of the living room and bed rooms.
I will like you to send me pictures of the living rooms and
bedrooms of the apartment,so that I can see what it looks like since I
wont be able to see the apartment before my arrival and I will like to
know how much it will cost for the monthly,
utilies bills such,
per month rent cost
Security deposit cost
water bill
electricy bill
gas billmeasurements of the rooms
i needed to know if you really the owner of the apartment ,
   
    This is an international situation .With this arrangement,
my financier in the states,will be
effecting your payment deposit to you.I believe we can work together and ensure
every arrangements that we shall both execute in line with my taking up the
tenancy should be done accordingly to ensure we have a proper understanding. In
view of my work schedule, i would want us to finalise basic arrangements. I
will arrive to the states by 30th  of December with my wife and
daughter.If you require any specific information, pls let me know or you can
call me on my cell phone +44 703 191 0267,please dial as presented for
international calls .
   
      I will really appreciate a quick response to my
enquiry.
Dr.Dennis Johnson

People reacted to this story.
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Comments to: Craigslist Real Estate Scam Alert
  • Avatar
    December 3, 2007

    David,
    Thanks for passing this on.
    Now passed on in turn to the UK Property Investment community. We’re giving it about a week before we get the “reverse direction” scam of “US doctors looking to rent in London.”

    Reply
  • Avatar
    December 3, 2007

    David – great of you to post it. I’m sure more than one person will find their way here searching – but I’m equally sure they will manage to take a couple of people in as well.
    🙁
    It’s stuff like this that makes the Internet such an unpleasant place to dwell sometimes. *sigh*

    Reply
  • Avatar
    December 23, 2007

    Thanks David, we had this happen to us and we caught your post before sending money back. This time they used the name Dr. Richard Thai and his daughter was sick and needed money back to take care of her. This just ended up delaying me renting my place and potential other real renters.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    December 27, 2007

    Dave,
    Thanks for the heads up. I am a Realtor in CT. and found your comments while researching Woodstock Pharmacy. This time the name used is Dr Scott Wltman. The phone number given in the email is not in use.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    December 27, 2007

    Thanks Dave!
    These guys are now hitting the Seattle Craigslist with this scam. They’re using the name ray taylor (all lower caps) with an email of: taylray@gmail.com
    Here’s the email:
    “Hello,
    I saw your apartment advertised on craigslist.com and am interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the requirements for renting it.I will be doing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be staying with my wife and daughter .I will appreciate it if i hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process before the end of the month.
    Thank you.”
    We traded a few emails and it just felt wrong, which is when I Googled the address he provided in a follow-up email (Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United Kingdom) and found your post.
    Thanks again,
    –Jon

    Reply
  • Avatar
    December 31, 2007

    Thanks, Dave!
    I have been corresponding with this scammer over the past couple days and when something began to smell fishy, I did an internet search and found your blog. I am in Kansas City. I was provided the alias “Dr. Lyord Cono.”

    Reply
  • Avatar
    December 31, 2007

    Thanks, Dave!
    I have been corresponding with this scammer over the past couple days and when something began to smell fishy, I did an internet search and found your blog. I am in Kansas City. I was provided the alias “Dr. Lyord Cono.”

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 2, 2008

    Hi David –
    Thanks for doing a great public service. Here’s an e-mail i got this morning:
    Good,day over there as i was brouwsing through the internet i saw your apartment advert on craigslist.com and am interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the modalities for renting it.I will be doing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be staying with my daughter Binta I will be very GLAD if i can hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process before we arrive in the State by Janaury15th Regards Dr John Bulucci of Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, UnitedKingdom.i can be reach at……+447031973137
    Fortunately, I found your site before I wasted any time.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 2, 2008

    For those arriving to these comments from another site, you can find variations of the scam discussed at http://www.marketersstudio.com/2007/12/craigslist-re-1.html .

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 3, 2008

    Thank you so much for your post. I “had a feeling” this was not legit. The first email they send sounds really great, but then, like the rest of the comments, it gets fishy with email #2. Having had a web-based business a couple years ago, I was familiar with these sort of inquiries/scams, so I googled the pharmacy address and your post was the first to come up on google. Kudos to you for your public service. I hope the desperate property owners listing their own rentals figure this out before they are scammed. The name the guy used was Dr. Mathew Bruce. All the more reason to use a Realtor. Rentals listed with Realtors are flying off the MLS. It’s worth paying one month’s rent for the service of having tenants screened.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 3, 2008

    We are Realtors in Maryland. We just received Dr. Scott’s check–same scam, for sure. We were curious and googled his name. Thanks so much for putting this together. This saved us a few days off market waiting for his “financier”!

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 6, 2008

    Dave –
    These people are amateurs! They tried us but we strung them along. Probably the only way to get them is to send them multi-thousands of e-mails thanking them for saving all of us! Fill up their e-mail where they can’t use it. A guy did call me to make sure i got the instructions on where to send the extra money. He sounded desperate! Send them to:
    Dr. Scott
    swaltman101@hotmail.com

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 7, 2008

    Thanks soo much. Same thing here in Philly area. I have had my listing up for a week now and started off with Dr. Dennis Johnson, but after sending him to the curb, thanks to this site, I have been contaced via e-mail by half the names given here plus some. Dr. Robert Smith and such. There must be more than 1 person doing this, because he can’t even keep stright who he has already e-mail before! I have been playing with him with other e-mail address. Uses up some of my spare time. If you just e-mail him and say Apt. is still for rent, he replys. He must have soo much mail he doesn’t even know who he’s e-mailed. Thanks again for this post. It saved me time. Now off to get a real renter…

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 9, 2008

    It appears that the famous Dr. Balucci is also interested in Boston realestate. This is the message I received from my craigslist post:
    Good,day over there as i was brouwsing through the internet i saw your apartment advert on craigslist.com and am interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the modalities for renting it.I will be doing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be staying with my daughter Binta I will be very GLAD if i can hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process before we arrive in the State by Janaury29th Regards Dr John Bulucci of Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, UnitedKingdom.i can be reach at……+447031973137

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 13, 2008

    Hi, thanks a lot for this post. I received this same thing this morning. What struck me was that it was only 45 minutes after posting my apartment on craigslist. Thanks to you I´ve confirmed it´s a scam. Turns out they´re expanding to Puerto Rico.
    Have a great year everyone! a ¨scam free¨ year.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 23, 2008

    thank you!
    just had to stop by to say thank you. These same exact emails are still being used and thanks to this site I was able to convince my realtor that this was a scam.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 24, 2008

    Sound familiar? Could have been another victim. Thanks David.
    —————
    I sincerely appreciate your opinion in view of the utilities accounts. I had a very tight schedule today. I will give you a call tomorrow morning your time to discuss details with you. Talk to you soon.
    My regards,
    Dr. Richard
    ————–
    Thanks for your mail. The contents of your mail were clearly understood. I appreciate the measurements provided because it will assist us in placing order for our furniture.
    The rents and deposit will be effected this week. I will provide you with the tracking numbers so that you can keep an eye on them. You should be receiving it on or before Tuesday next week. My wife will be in the U.S before next weekend to complete the paper work and to also conclude delivery arrangemets with the movers.
    Following the contents of your mail. I can understand that the average utilities cost will be $300-$400, however i also understand that it all depends on individual usage. The cost of the utilities cost for 2months will be included to the rents and deposit so you can assist my wife in setting up the accounts.
    I had a clear view of the pictures from the link provided. Please i will advice you to remove this unit from any further advert placement.
    Please respond on receipt of this mail.
    My regards,
    Dr. Richard
    ———————–
    I sincerely apologise for my delayed response to your mail. We were
    out of town and had no access to my computer. Thanks for taking out
    time to provide me with description of the area. Please let me know
    the average utilities cost on this unit per month.
    I am aware that this unit is unfurnished so we are already making some
    arrangements for furniture. Please provide me with the measurements of
    the living room and other dimensions in the unit because we have to
    provide these information to the furniture dealer as this will enable
    us make selection in our order.
    I received the lease application, my Husband will review the terms as
    enatiled in it this week. I will be in the U.S before the 1st week of
    February to complete all the paper works and to also conclude
    arrangements in view of our furniture.
    Please provide me with your full names and mailing address so that i
    can overnight the rents and deposit to you. Please you can also send
    the mailing address to my husband, richardthai26@yahoo.co.uk .
    We will creat time to call you tomorrow morning your time. Please
    respond on receipt of this mail.
    My regards,
    Elizabeth
    ________________
    Good morning,
    Thanks for your mail, i sincerely apologise for my delayed response to your mail as i had a tight schedule yesterday. I will be glad to offer 4 months rent cost with the security deposit to you and have the balance 8 months rent settled upon my arrival to the States.This initial deposit you will receive is a mearsure to secure the unit prior to my arrival. I will sign a one year lease upon my arrival, please be rest assured that this unit will be okay for me and my family. We will be setting up a private clinic upon our arrival. I am a Gynecologist and my husband is a Sugeon. We will be into private practice.
    Could you be kind enough to let me know what the electricity/utility cost would be ?as i will really need to have this unit properly secured before my arrival. You can send me the lease for my review and endorsement and also enable be review it ahead of time.. I will complete the application upon my arrival,In my opinion, vital financial personal information be handled over to you physically, since i will be meeting with you upon my arrival.Please , send me a picture view of the living and bed rooms.
    I believe we can work together and ensure every arrangements that we shall both execute in line with my taking up the tenancy should be done accordingly to ensure we have a proper understanding.
    In view of the limited time i have now, i would want us to discuss on phone and finalise basic arrangements. Call me on. Home +44 70457 46089 Cell+44 70457 46081
    Dial as presented for international calls. I will arrive the united states on the 30th of January, with my husband and daughter. You can also contact my husband Dr. Richard Thai: richardthai26@yahoo.co.uk
    If you require any specific information, pls let me know . I hope we can talk soon.
    My due regards,
    Elizabeth.
    _______________
    Original response
    Yes my property is still available. Sorry about not getting back with you sooner. I have not checked my home email in a few days. I have it up for sale, but the market is slow not so I would like to rent it. Terms of lease depend on your situation, but I’m flexible. I am offering a rent to own option. I received may call and some potential renter, but no commitment on a deposit to hold the property of filled out application. If you are interested call me at …
    Are you overseas? Did not recognize the phone number.
    Thanks for the message.
    ———–
    Original message
    Please contact Mrs Elizabeth Thai by email or phone provided below.
    Email: elizabetht26@gmail.com
    Phone: +44 70457 46081
    Comments: I saw this advert placement on recycler.com. Please let me know if this unit is still available for rent. I will be living in this unit with my daughter and my Husband. Please treat as urgent. My regards, Elizabeth
    Thank You.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 25, 2008

    David
    Thank you for putting this on the web. I would of wound up wasting alot of time. here is the e-mail they sent me:
    Hello over there my name is John Bulucci, as i was brouwsing through the internet searching for a place to rent during my research i saw your apartment advert on craigslist.com and am interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the modalities for renting it.I will be doing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be staying with my daughter Binta I will be very GLAD if i can hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process before we arrive in the State by Febuary2nd. Regards Dr John Bulucci of Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, UnitedKingdom.
    i can be reach at……+447031973137

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 28, 2008

    I turned in a complaint to the Federal trade Commission and craigs list

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 31, 2008

    Hello–thanks for the info. I’ve been dealing with Dr’s Richard and Elizabeth Thai for the past three weeks on a home I am trying to sell in the desert area of southern California. The “Doctor” actually called me after I e-mailed him that I could not call him on the number provided. His “wife” is due in the states this week and will be calling me to sign the purchase agreement on the house. I will let you all know how it turns out.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    February 1, 2008

    Today I received a UPS envelope with a check made payable to me in the amount of $27,000. Turns out it’s drawn on a cancelled account. I have reported this entire incident to the FTC and the Secret Service. Here’s the e-mail I sent:
    To whom it may concern:
    I was contacted several weeks ago by e-mail by a person claiming to be from Great Britain interested in renting a house I have listed for sale. I replied that the house was not for rent, but for sale. After several e-mails back and forth, I received a telephone call from the person claiming to wish to purchase the house. He told me his wife would be in town this week to look at the house and sign the purchase agreement. Today I received a check made payable to me for $27,000, drawn on the Citizens Bank of Rhode Island account of United Electric Controls Co. I called the company, and they confirmed my suspicions that the check is fraudulent, the account is closed, and they have notified the appropriate authorities. The return address of the check is John Piscopo, 3130 Amber Lane, Monroe GA, 30655. I suspect that the name and address are both fictitious.
    The names used by the “purchasers” were Doctors Elizabeth and Richard Thai.
    The first correspondence I received from them is located here:
    Dear Frank Delzompo,
    Mrs Elizabeth Thai has inquired about your property on Military By Owner.
    AD Number: MBO57269
    6358 Goleta Ave
    Yucca Valley CA 92284
    Please contact Mrs Elizabeth Thai by email or phone provided below.
    • Email: elizabetht26@gmail.com
    • Phone: +44 70457 46081
    • Comments: I saw this advert placement on militarybyowner.com. Please let me know if this unit is still available for rent. I will be living in this unit with my daughter and my Husband. Please treat as urgent. My regards, Elizabeth
    Thank You.
    After explaining three or four times that the property was for sale, not for rent, I heard from the other “Doctor,” Richard:
    Dear Frank,
    Thanks for your mail. Yes i will be interested in buying this unit in Yucca Valley, i had a clear view of the pictures provided and they were satisfactory. Please let me know your final asking price.
    I will give you a call tonight to discuss details with you. Please provide me with your mailing address upon receipt of this mail. Let me know if you have an equity line of credit account on this unit.
    Talk to you soon.
    Dr. Richard
    “Dr. Richard’s” e-mail address is richardthai26@yahoo.co.uk.
    I did receive a phone call from a gentleman claiming to be a doctor, formerly employed by the British Royal Navy. He had a distinctly Asian accent. This entire episode seemed suspicious from the beginning, and my wife did a Google search of Richard Thai. Sure enough, there was a Craig’s list posting about a fraudulent money scam using this name. Today when I received the check, I knew it was time to report this to you. I am also providing courtesy copies of this e-mail to my local real estate board for them to alert other REALTORS® regarding this scam.
    Feel free to contact me at the below address and/or phone number if you need any further information.
    Sincerely,

    Reply
  • Avatar
    February 3, 2008

    The scam is still alive and well, I was contacted on Feb 1, 2008. See the last email below:
    Thanks for the details on the Property, i am satisfied and will like
    to go ahead with the renting process, i will like to go ahead and
    reserve the place for me.
    so i will be needing the following so that the check for payment of
    the deposit ($5000) can be processed and posted to you as soon as
    possible.
    Name to issue the check to:…………
    Address:………….
    Phone number(cell and land):…………
    i want the 12 month lease to start on March 1st 2008, i will also want
    to notify you that i have in the mean time arrange with an interior
    decor here in England who will be handling the purchase of
    furniture,entertainment system and miscellaneous appliances that will
    be i will need in the property, they will as well be in charge of
    moving down my luggage down to the states.
    So the check of ($10,500) will be sent over to you which is a relocation
    grant by my employer, and all you need to do is deduct the
    deposit($5000) and you will forward the rest to the Decorators so i
    can have the place all prepared for my arrival. all other document
    will be signed as soon as i arrive.
    Also for familiarization I Am Eric Rosenfeld, 33 yrs of age, Happily
    married with a son (Family staying over in the UK),
    I work with Net-tech solutions ltd (UK), as a Network Engineer, I am a
    Christian, reserved in Nature, Non smoker also i don’t keep pets.
    Below are my references:
    Richard webber: Present Landlord
    Address: 81 waverley Rd
    Plumstead London, Uk
    Tel: 01204232920
    E: r65webber@yahoo.co.uk
    Ed walker : supervisor
    he is currently on Holidays In kansas
    E: ed2walker@yahoo.co.uk
    Cell: 3038005746
    I look forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship as
    a tenant with you
    Regards

    Reply
  • Avatar
    February 14, 2008

    Thanks so much for this post and taking the time to warn others! We got an inquiry from ‘Dr. Bruce Mathew’ also. The 2nd email sent warnings off for us and we did a quick search and found you these postings. You all have saved us much heartached. Kind regards.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    February 19, 2008

    Thank you so much for your posting. Below is the e-mail request I received this morning.
    Hello over there my name is Donald Johnson, as i was brouwsing through the internet searching for a place to rent during my research i saw your apartment advert on craigslist.com and am interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the modalities for renting it.I will bedoing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be staying with my daughter Binta I will be very GLAD if i can hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process before we arrive in the State by March 3rd. Regards Dr Donald Johnson of Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, UnitedKingdom.
    i can be reach at……
    Office….+447031973137
    Home……+447031905507

    Reply
  • Avatar
    February 21, 2008

    Thanks for the posting. thanks god i screened his email and googled it.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    February 21, 2008

    Thank you guys for the heads up. I was contacted feb. 21. below is the email content.
    Thanks for the details on the Property, i am satisfied with the details and will like to go ahead with the renting process, i will like you to go ahead and reserve the place for me.
    so i will be needing the following information so that the check for payment of the deposit ($3300) can be processed and posted to you as soon as possible.
    Name to issue the check to:…………
    Address:………….
    Phone number(cell and land):…………
    I want the 12 month lease to start on March 15th 2008, i also want to notify you that due to the fact that i cannot view in person, i have in the mean time arrange with an interior decor here in England who will be putting up the place for me and also handling the purchase of furniture,entertainment system, miscellaneous appliances that i will be needing in the property, they will as well be in charge of moving down my luggage down to the states.
    Due to the time restrictions and days for a UK check to clear in the states, i have requested from my employers to issue my relocation grant in form of a cashiers check, because its easily cashed there in the US.
    So the check of ($8500) will be sent over to you which is the relocation grant by my employer, and all you need to do is to clear the check and deduct the deposit($3300) and you will handle the rest to the Decorators so i can have the place all prepared for my arrival. all other document will be signed as soon as i arrive.
    Also for familiarization I Am Eric Rosenfeld, 33 yrs of age, Happily married with a son (Family staying over in the UK), I work with Net-tech solutions ltd (UK), as a Network Engineer, I am a Christian, reserved in Nature, Non smoker also i don’t keep pets.
    Below are my references:
    Richard webber: Present Landlord
    Address: 81 waverley Rd
    Plumstead London, Uk
    Tel: 01204232920
    E: r65webber@yahoo.co.uk
    Ed walker : supervisor
    he is currently on Holidays In kansas
    E: ed2walker@yahoo.co.uk
    Cell: 3038005746
    I look forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship as a tenant with you
    Regards

    Reply
  • Avatar
    February 22, 2008

    Thank you so much for the heads up! I dont need this kind of trouble.
    Great,
    I will need some more information about the property for rent.
    Am in England Presently, and i am about to Move down to the US to
    carry-out some project survey for my present employer(Nettech solutions ltd(UK), as we are about setting up a new US branch office in the state,
    so i would be needing a place urgently.
    I have gone over the description of the property but will like to
    confirm the following information so i can make a decision.
    What is the available date when the property will be ready to move in
    I would appreciate any recent pictures of the interior/exterior if
    available
    How Much is the monthly Rent and deposit to secure the property
    What is the proximity of the property to bus and train station
    what is the lease period you intend to offer.
    I will appreciate if you expanciate on the question above so it can
    help quicken my decision
    i await your response
    Regards
    Eric Rosenfeld”

    Reply
  • Avatar
    February 27, 2008

    Anyone here familiar with individuals allegedly in the U.K. trying to rent houses here for cheaper than you would expect? The owner had to go to U.K. last minute business reasons and needs to get a renter? Does this sound suspicious and too good to be true? Ive had 2 rentals now with both owners in U.K….seems fishy?

    Reply
  • Avatar
    February 27, 2008

    Hey, Here he is again, watch out for this one. Thanks so much for this service, I was not aware that this scam existed and almost fell for it until I googled the name and found your website.
    Great,
    I will need some more information about the property for rent.
    Am in England Presently, and i am about to Move down to the US to carry-out some project survey for my present employer(Nettech solutions ltd(UK), as we are about setting up a new US branch office in the state,
    so i would be needing a place urgently.
    I have gone over the description of the property but will like to
    confirm the following information so i can make a decision.
    What is the available date when the property will be ready to move in
    I would appreciate any recent pictures of the interior/exterior if
    available
    How Much is the monthly Rent and deposit to secure the property
    What is the proximity of the property to bus and train station
    what is the lease period you intend to offer.
    I will appreciate if you expanciate on the question above so it can
    help quicken my decision
    i await your response
    Regards

    Reply
  • Avatar
    February 28, 2008

    Now its DR. Michael Williams…from Woodstock pharmacy UK….watchout!!

    Reply
  • Avatar
    February 28, 2008

    Hi,
    Just to let you know that my company is called Net tech solutions here in the UK and we have NEVER ever employed an Eric Rosenfield so this certainly seems to be a scam, please be aware of this. I’m actually becoming very very frustrated with all the enquries I’m getting.
    Thanks

    Reply
  • Avatar
    February 28, 2008

    Thanks again, David –
    Eric Rosenfeld certainly gets around! From the Boston Craigslist
    *************************************************
    From: Eric Rosenfeld
    Date: 2008/02/28 Thu PM 05:53:23 CST
    To: bill.peyton@verizon.net
    Subject: Re: Property Inquiry
    Great,
    I will need some more information about the property for rent.
    Am in England Presently, and i am about to Move down to the US to carry-out some project survey for my present employer(Nettech solutions ltd(UK), as we are about setting up a new US branch office in the state,
    so i would be needing a place urgently.
    I have gone over the description of the property but will like to
    confirm the following information so i can make a decision. What is the available date when the property will be ready to move in
    I would appreciate any recent pictures of the interior/exterior if
    available
    How Much is the monthly Rent and deposit to secure the property
    what is the lease period you intend to offer.
    I will appreciate if you expanciate on the question above so it can
    help quicken my decision
    i await your response
    Regards
    ***********************************************
    Of course, if he READ the ad he would know most of this information.
    One e-mail address he used was Eric Rosenfeld , and the other address was Eric Rosenfeld . Maybe they work in shifts. The first one fishes for a response, and the other one is the “closer”.
    So I told him to reply on a company e-mail address with the name of his supervisor. And I bet I’ll hear back from him/her with great indignation! I’ll also let the poor company he is spoofing know that he’s a scamming away.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 1, 2008

    Thank you. Thank you. I posted my “Eric Rosenfeld” email below. I just received it on February 29 2008.
    Great,
    I will need some more information about the property for rent.
    Am in England Presently, and i am about to Move down to the US to carry-out some project survey for my present employer(Nettech solutions ltd(UK), as we are about setting up a new US branch office in the state,
    so i would be needing a place urgently.
    I have gone over the description of the property but will like to
    confirm the following information so i can make a decision.
    What is the available date when the property will be ready to move in
    I would appreciate any recent pictures of the interior/exterior if
    available
    How Much is the monthly Rent and deposit to secure the property
    what is the lease period you intend to offer.
    I will appreciate if you expanciate on the question above so it can
    help quicken my decision
    i await your response
    Regards

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 3, 2008

    Dave,
    Thanks for having this blog and warning everyone of this scam. I was also contacted off the Boston Craig’s List. It wasn’t until the second page of googling the company name did I recognize wording from an email I received from Eric Rosenfeld. I was suspicious when I noticed three different emails addresses in our correspondence. Here is the email:
    Thanks for the details on the Property, i am satisfied with the details and will like to go ahead with the renting process, i want you to go ahead and reserve the place for me.
    so i will the following information so that the check for payment of the deposit ($2490) can be processed and posted to you as soon as possible.
    Name to issue the check to:…………
    Address:………….
    Phone number(cell and land):…………
    I want the 12 month lease to start on April 1st 2008, i also want to notify you that due to the fact that i cannot view in person, i have in the mean time arrange with an interior decor here in England who will be putting up the place for me and also handling the purchase of furniture,entertainment system, miscellaneous appliances that i will be needing in the property, they will as well be in charge of moving down my luggage down to the states.
    Due to the time restrictions and days for a UK check to clear in the states, i have requested from my employers to issue my relocation grant in form of a cashiers check, because its easily cashed there in the US.
    So the check of ($7550) will be sent over to you which is the relocation grant by my employer, and all you need to do is to clear the check and deduct the deposit($2490) and you will handle the rest to the Decorators so i can have the place all prepared for my arrival. all other document will be signed as soon as i arrive.
    Also for familiarization I Am Eric Rosenfeld, 33 yrs of age, Happily married with a son (Family staying over in the UK), I work with Net-tech solutions ltd (UK), as a Network Engineer, I am a Christian, reserved in Nature, Non smoker also i don’t keep pets.
    Below are my references:
    Richard webber: Present Landlord
    Address: 81 waverley Rd
    Plumstead London, Uk
    Tel: 01204232920
    E: r65webber@yahoo.co.uk
    Ed walker : supervisor
    he is currently on Holidays In kansas
    E: ed2walker@yahoo.co.uk
    Cell: 3038005746
    I look forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship as a tenant with you
    Regards

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 5, 2008

    Here’s an email I just received as well regarding a property I have for rent. I certainly appreciate everyone who took the time to post and let others be aware of this obvious scam!
    From:Eric Rosenfeld
    [Add to Address Book]
    To:
    Subject:Re: Property Inquiry
    Date:Tuesday, March 04, 2008
    [View Source]
    Great,
    I will need some more information about the property for rent.
    Am in England Presently, and i am about to Move down to the US to carry-out some project survey for my present employer(Nettech solutions ltd(UK), as we are about setting up a new US branch office in the state,
    so i would be needing a place urgently.
    I have gone over the description of the property but will like to
    confirm the following information so i can make a decision.
    What is the available date when the property will be ready to move in
    I would appreciate any recent pictures of the interior/exterior if
    available
    How Much is the monthly Rent and deposit to secure the property
    what is the lease period you intend to offer.
    I will appreciate if you expanciate on the question above so it can
    help quicken my decision
    i await your response
    Regards

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 6, 2008

    I to am from the Boston Craigslist and was contacted by Eric Rosenfeld last week and then today I got this email from a Brian Garnder. What are these people up to – it is very frustrating when trying to rent an apartment.
    ————————–
    With regards to the property i am inquiring about, i will like to get some
    more details about it,I am currently in the UK and i am Relocating over to
    the US to do a survey for my employer ( GMC Insurance Group (UK), as we are
    about to open an office in the state, so due to my non presence to inspect
    the Property, i will like you to give me the below detail
    # I need full details including address of the property and pictures if
    available
    # Monthly rentals/security deposits
    # If utilities is added to monthly rent
    # When the property would be available
    # Mail me the total move in cost
    I awaits your response soon.
    Regards – Brian Gardner

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 7, 2008

    I can’t believe this! I exchanged emails with an Eric Rosenfeld for a couple of days and it seemed too good to be true. I started to get suspicious with I received the following email. Thank you for this public service. As soon as I googled his name and the company he worked for, I came across your website. Thank you!
    Thanks for the details on the Property, i am satisfied with the details and will like to go ahead with the renting process, i want you to go ahead and reserve the place for me.
    so i will the following information so that the check for payment of the deposit ($1300) can be processed and posted to you as soon as possible.
    Name to issue the check to:…………
    Address:………….
    Phone number(cell and land):…………
    I want the 12 moth lease to start on April 1st 2008, i also want to notify you that due to the fact that i cannot view in person, i have in the mean time arrange with an interior decor here in England who will be putting up the place for me and also handling the purchase of furniture,entertainment system, miscellaneous appliances that i will be needing in the property, they will as well be in charge of moving down my luggage down to the states.
    Due to the time restrictions and days for a UK check to clear in the states, i have requested from my employers to issue my relocation grant in form of a cashiers check, because its easily cashed there in the US.
    So the check of ($6500) will be sent over to you which is the relocation grant by my employer, and all you need to do is to clear the check and deduct the deposit($1300) and you will handle the rest to the Decorators so i can have the place all prepared for my arrival. all other document will be signed as soon as i arrive.
    Also for familiarization I Am Eric Rosenfeld, 33 yrs of age, Happily married with a son (Family staying over in the UK), I work with Net-tech solutions ltd (UK), as a Network Engineer, I am a Christian, reserved in Nature, Non smoker also i don’t keep pets.
    Below are my references:
    Richard webber: Present Landlord
    Address: 81 waverley Rd
    Plumstead London, Uk
    Tel: 01204232920
    E: r65webber@yahoo.co.uk
    Ed walker : supervisor
    he is currently on Holidays In kansas
    E: ed2walker@yahoo.co.uk
    Cell: 3038005746
    I look forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship as a tenant with you
    Regards

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 7, 2008

    Wow, Eric gets around. I just got his bank check for $9,500. Mine is from First Commercial Bank in TX. If you google them, you can find the FDIC warning letter issued in 2003 re: counterfeit bank checks (the real one have gold foil safety strips on top). The balance is to go to his decorator who, you guessed it, just happens to be vacationing here (Los Angeles). Hey, one more ck for my collection.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 7, 2008

    I was contacted by Eric Rosenfeld regarding a property for rent (see my post from 3/5/08). I posted on Boston craigslist. I am certainly glad that I found this website before I got into a sticky situation. I responded to his email (clearly a waste of time) and have not heard back since I stated I would need to do a background and credit check. As a first time landlord, I am leary about these scams. As a helpful suggestion, I would advise those looking for prospective renters to sign up with an asscociation such as national tenent network (located in massachusetts) or landlord.com. For a nominal fee, they will check references, credit, background search, etc and this can be done relatively quickly before any money is exchanged. Best of luck to everyone!

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 7, 2008

    Wow! What a GREAT service you are providing here! I also was contacted by “Eric Rosenfeld”. I wanted to see what info I could find on he and his company…thankfully before we got any further than this, I found your website. Here is the email he sent to me regarding a Hilton Head Island property for rent:
    from Eric Rosenfeld hide details 8:32 am (2½ hours ago)
    reply-to erosenfeld4@yahoo.com
    to Joy Vinson
    date Mar 7, 2008 8:32 AM
    subject Re: Property Inquiry
    signed-by yahoo.com
    mailed-by yahoo.com
    Great,
    I will need some more information about the property for rent.
    Am in England Presently, and i am about to Move down to the US to carry-out some project survey for my present employer(Nettech solutions ltd(UK), as we are about setting up a new US branch office in the state,
    so i would be needing a place urgently.
    I have gone over the description of the property but will like to
    confirm the following information so i can make a decision.
    What is the available date when the property will be ready to move in
    I would appreciate any recent pictures of the interior/exterior if
    available
    How Much is the monthly Rent and deposit to secure the property
    what is the lease period you intend to offer.
    I will appreciate if you answer the question above so it can
    help quicken my decision
    i await your response
    Regards
    ***************
    So, thank you again, David. You saved me a lot of time and trouble with your blog!
    Joy Vinson

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 10, 2008

    We smelt something fishy in his second email which is below. We have not had a reply once we wanted him to send a credit check, criminal records bureau document and more details to pass on to our solicitor!
    Below is the email which was sent to us:
    Hello,
    Thanks for your mail,i appreciate your wanting to help us in our situation.I am a Pharmacist by profession and i am currently working with Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United State. I will be in the Kindom for the next one year with my wife and daughter and during my stay i will be working with David M. Cote Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell International Inc.We have a financier that is based in the Kindom,he do require your full name, your full complete physical contact address {home/office} cos the payment will be sent via ups delivery and does not deliver to p.o box address and your phone number to make deposit payment on our behalf.All we need is your go ahead for him to issue the cheque payment.
    Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we have made an arrangement with a furniture company to supply the home with furniture,so we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company so that they can supply the unit with furniture that will fit in well.
    As regards the lease agreement,i want you to send it to me for my review,i will eventually have it filled and signed on my arrival in your place as i am of the opinion that such documents are best filled and signed physically.We can start the lease by the 1st of March and we will be doing a one year lease although we will be arriving third week in March. You can prepare the lease in my name.
    Let us know how to move ahead as we intend to complete this deal before we move in by the middle of the month,we will let you know the exact date as soon as we get a booking on a flight to the kindom.
    Thanks and sincere regards from me and my family.
    Dr sean.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 11, 2008

    I too have “met” Mr. Eric Rosenfeld. I advertised on Philadelphia Craigslist. He used the exact wording everyone else quoted. I’m frustrated that I spent the time emailing him back and forth, but relieved that this is the end of it. Thanks for doing this.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 13, 2008

    A person calling themselves Brian Gardner is pulling this scam on people listing places on Denver Craigslist. Here’s what he says:
    1st contact:
    Hello, I would like to know if the property you listed is
    still available.
    Regards.
    2nd contact:
    With regards to the property i am inquiring about, i will like to get some more details about it,I am currently in the UK and i am Relocating over to the US to do a survey for my employer ( GMC Insurance Group (UK), as we are about to open an office in the state, so due to my non presence to inspect the Property, i will like you to give me the below detail
    # I need full details including address of the property and pictures if
    available
    # Monthly rentals/security deposits
    # If utilities is added to monthly rent
    # When the property would be available
    # Mail me the total move in cost
    I awaits your response soon.
    Regards.
    3rd contact:
    Thanks for the details on the Property, i am satisfied and will
    like to proceed with the renting process, i will like you to go ahead and reserve the property for me. So i will be needing the following informations so that the check for payment of the deposit of $2400 can be processed and posted to you soon.
    Name:…………
    Address:………….
    Phone number(cell and land):…………
    I want the 12 month lease to start on the 1st April 2008, i will also want to notify you that i have in the mean time arrange with an interior decorator who will be handling the purchase of furnitures,entertainment system and other appliances that i will need in the property,they will as well be in-charge of moving down my luggages down to the states. So the check of $7000 will be sent over to you which is a relocation grant by my employer, and all you need to do is deduct the deposit $2400 and you will forward the rest to the Decorators so i can have the place all prepared for my arrival. All applications and lease will be signed as soon as i
    arrive.
    Also for familiarization I Am Brian Gardner,I am 32 yrs of age,a British citizen, married to a lovely lady, with a daughter (Family staying over in the UK), I work with GMC Insurance Group (UK), as a loss adjuster agent, I am a Christian, reserved in Nature, Non smoker also i don’t keep pets. I look forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship as a tenant with you.
    I await the details.
    you can reach me at this number +447024099236
    Below is my present landlords information for reference :
    Paul Hopewell
    12,TIVOLI GARDEN SE185PD
    UNITED KINGDOM
    You can also call my employer at the number below to verify employment.
    (Nicholas Keane +447024017745)
    Cheers
    He uses the e-mail addresses br3_gardner@yahoo.co.uk br1_gardner@yahoo.com br2_gardner@yahoo.co.uk

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 13, 2008

    THANK YOU FOR THIS SITE!!! Greetings from North of Boston.I just sent an e-mail to Eric Rosenthal’s references then decided to look up his company….and you showed up. Amazing, isn’t it. I never thought I would be drawn into a scam. The good news is that because of you, I learned about it before it was too late.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 17, 2008

    BEWARE BEWARE Thanks for having this blog and warning everyone of this scam. I was contacted off the Dallas Craig’s List with very similar responses. Apparently they are now using the name Zoran. I found this blog when I googled the phone number that “Zoran” provided. See e-mail below:
    Dear John,
    Thanks for your response. Please provide me with pictures of this unit(Pictures of the living room and the bathrooms). Let me know the average utilities on this unit per month. I will be living in this unit with my wife and daughter. (Mrs Elizabeth Zoran and Miss Natasha Zoran) respectively.
    Please provide me with the application and the lease agreements for my review. I will be signing a year lease. I will be effecting the first three months rent and the security deposit. You will be receiving the first three months rent and the security deposit this week. The balance rents will be settled upon my arrival. The initial deposit is a measure of securing this unit prior to my arrival. Please let me know the number of references needed for the paper work. We will be moving into this unit on the 2nd of April.
    Please let me know if we can sign more than a year lease. We can discuss basic arrangements on phone. This is my phone numbers +44 70457 46081. Do not hesitate to ask any question in line with my taking up the tenancy to this unit, so that we can have a proper understanding in making sure that all arrangements are carried out accordingly. Respond on receipt of this mail.
    Respecfully,
    Zoran

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 18, 2008

    I also received the following responses from this person. What would we do without internet searches???
    Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:29:00 +0000 (GMT)
    From: Send an Instant Message “Brian Gardner”
    Subject: Re: $1700 / 2br – Unique One of a Kind Rental
    To: “John P”
    With regards to the property i am inquiring about, i will like to get some more details about it,I am currently in the UK and i am Relocating over to the US to do a survey for my employer ( GMC Insurance Group (UK), as we are about to open an office in the state, so due to my non presence to inspect the Property, i will like you to give me the below detail
    # I need full details including address of the property and pictures if available
    # Monthly rentals/security deposits
    # If utilities is added to monthly rent
    # When the property would be available
    # Mail me the total move in cost
    I awaits your response soon.
    Regards.
    John P wrote:
    yes the property is still available …
    — Brian Gardner wrote:
    > Hello,
    > I would like to know if the property you
    > listed is
    > still available.
    > Regards.
    >
    > ———————————

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 27, 2008

    Exactly the same M.O. This came from “Matthew Fagan” (ostensibly from the U.K.)
    1st e-mail…
    Hello,
    I would like to know if the property you listed is
    still available.
    Regards.
    2nd
    With regards to the property i am inquiring about, i will like to get some
    more details about it,I am currently in the UK and i am Relocating over to
    the US to do a survey for my employer (LINK INSURANCE GROUP (UK)), as we are about to open an office in the state, so due to my non presence to inspect
    the Property, i will like you to give me the below detail
    # I need full details including address of the property and pictures if
    available
    # Monthly rentals/security deposits
    # If utilities is added to monthly rent
    # When the property would be available
    # Mail me the total move in cost
    I awaits your response soon.
    Regards.
    3rd
    Thanks for the details on the Property, i am satisfied and will
    like to proceed with the renting process,
    i will like you to go ahead and reserve the property for me.
    So i will be needing the following informations so that the check
    for payment of the deposit of $2000 can be processed and posted to you soon.
    Name:…………
    Address:………….
    Phone number(cell and land):…………
    I want the 12 month lease to start on the 15th April 2008, i will also
    want to notify you that i have in the mean time arrange with an interior
    decorator who will be handling the purchase of furnitures,entertainment
    system and other appliances that i will need in the property,they will as
    well be in-charge of moving down my luggages down to the states.
    So the check of $6700 will be sent over to you which is a relocation grant
    by my employer, and all you need to do is deduct the deposit $2000 and you
    will forward the rest to the Decorators so i can have the place all prepared
    for my arrival. All applications and lease will be signed as soon as i
    arrive.
    Also for familiarization I Am Matthew Fagan,I am 32 yrs of age,a British
    citizen, married to a lovely lady, with a daughter (Family staying over in
    the UK), I work with LINK INSURANCE GROUP (UK), as a loss adjuster agent, I
    am a Christian, reserved in Nature, Non smoker also i don’t keep pets.
    I look forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship as a
    tenant with you.
    I await the details.
    you can reach me at this number +447024099236
    Below is my present landlords information for reference :
    Anthony Scott
    17,TIVOLI GARDEN SE185PD
    UNITED KINGDOM
    You can also call my employer at the number below to verify employment.
    (Ivan Samuel +447024017745)
    Cheers

    Reply
  • Avatar
    April 3, 2008

    posting so people will find if searching.
    Donald Johnson wrote:
    Hello over there my name is Donald Johnson, as i was brouwsing through the internet searching for a place to rent during my research i saw your apartment advert on craigslist.com and am interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the modalities for renting it.I will bedoing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be staying with my daughter Binta I will be very GLAD if i can hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process before we arrive in the State by APRIL 30th. Regards Dr Donald Johnson of Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, UnitedKingdom.
    i can be reach at……
    Office….+447031973137
    Home……+447031905507

    Reply
  • Avatar
    April 6, 2008

    Thanks for the posting and everyone else’s comments. I got a similar email today (see below), slightly reworded from what’s already been posted. I found it odd that he/she would be doing “pharmacy work” for one year and was wary of dealing with an overseas transaction so I Googled Woodstock Pharmacy and came across your blog. You saved me a lot of time dealing with this person. Thank you!!!
    Hello,
    I saw your apartment advertised on craigslist.com and am
    interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to
    know the modalities for renting it. I will be doing a one year
    research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be living with my
    lovely baby(Lowrie) .I will appreciate it if i hear from you in time as i
    will want to conclude the rental process before i arrive on 1st of May .
    Regards
    Dr Terri Nicholas of Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF,
    United Kingdom.
    phone……..+447031929479

    Reply
  • Avatar
    April 7, 2008

    JUST GOT TWO RESPONSES TO ADV FOR APT. ONE A PHARMACIST,ONE A DR. THE POOR ENGLISH IN ONE TIPPED ME OF AND THE OTHER WAS ASKING SIMILAR INFO BUT BETTER ENGLISH. IF THESE WERE FOR REAL MEDICAL POSITIONS THE HOSPITALS WOULD MAKE ARRANGEMENTS OR THE COMPANIES THEY ARE GOING TO WORK FOR. ALSO THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD BETTER ACCOMODATIONS THAN I HAVE. THE NAME OF ONE WAS CHARLES MILLER –THE DOCTOR AND THE OTHER WAS NICHOLAS—PHARMACIST.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    April 7, 2008

    Thank you so much for this blog. I got this emails and not they are hiting Phenix area. Please be avare.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    April 7, 2008

    Here is a potential buyer for your ad on
    BargainTraderOnline.com:
    The specific ad Howard Richard viewed was for:
    VIEW AD: http://adcache.bargaintraderonline.com/7/0/6/92371606.htm
    PRICE: $
    DESCRIPTION: YOUR MESSAGE: Hello,
    I would like to know if the property you listed is still available.
    Regards.
    SENDER’S NAME: Howard Richard
    TELEPHONE: Buyer did not Provide
    Hello
    With regards to the property I am inquiring about, I will like to get
    some more details about it, I am currently in the Uk and I am
    Relocating down to the US to do a survey for my employer ( MMH
    Insurance Group (UK), as we are about to open an office in the state,
    so due to my non presence to inspect the Property, I will like you to
    give me the below details,
    # I need full details including address of the property and pictures
    if available for the place.
    # Monthly rentals/security deposits.
    # If utilities is added to monthly rent.
    # When the property would be available.
    # Mail me the total move in cost.
    I await your response soon.
    Regards.
    Hello Paul,
    Thanks for responding to my email on time as the pictures you sent me was awesome.I made a mistake with the date stated in my last email.I wanted to say that i wanted the least to begin 13th April 2008.
    I have already made an arrangement with a decorator already that will be furnishing the house and also helping me in moving my luggage down to the house from airport.
    I have forward your details over to my employer and they will get in touch with the company in the states to send you the check, once I have an update from them that the check has been mailed, I will email you for you to keep watch over it to arrive your location.
    Thanks once again I will get back to you asap.I’ll have my decorator contact you soon so you can work out the details.Looking forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship with you.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    April 9, 2008

    I am so glad I found this scam alert. I have received numerous e-mails, the contents are similar or even identical, but the names I’ve seen so far are:
    Dr. Michael Williams
    Dr. Jones Marcus
    Ken Jones
    Allen James
    George Bundy
    They just don’t seem to give up! Isn’t there a way for them to be reported?

    Reply
  • Avatar
    April 26, 2008

    Same email came from a person called Larry Gallo
    Thanks for the details on the Property, i am satisfied and will
    like to proceed with the renting process,
    i will like you to go ahead and reserve the property for me.
    So i will be needing the following informations so that the check
    for payment of the deposit of $6000 can be processed and posted to you soon.
    Name:…………
    Address:………….
    Phone number(cell and land):…………
    I want the 12 month lease to start on the 15th May 2008, i will also
    want to notify you that i have in the mean time arrange with an interior
    decorator who will be handling the purchase of furnitures,entertainment
    system and other appliances that i will need in the property,they will as
    well be in-charge of moving down my luggages down to the states.
    So the check of $9800 will be sent over to you which is a relocation grant
    by my employer, and all you need to do is deduct the deposit $6000 and you
    will forward the rest to the Decorators so i can have the place all prepared
    for my arrival. All applications and lease will be signed as soon as i
    arrive.
    Also for familiarization I Am Larry Gallo,I am 32 yrs of age,a British
    citizen, married to a lovely lady, with a daughter (Family staying over in
    the UK), I work with LINK INSURANCE GROUP (UK), as a loss adjuster agent, I
    am a Christian, reserved in Nature, Non smoker also i don’t keep pets.
    I look forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship as a
    tenant with you.
    I await the details.
    you can reach me at this number +447024099236
    Below is my present landlords information for reference :
    Anthony Scott
    17,TIVOLI GARDEN SE185PD
    UNITED KINGDOM
    You can also call my employer at the number below to verify employment.
    (Ivan Samuel +447024017745)
    Cheers

    Reply
  • Avatar
    April 28, 2008

    And so it contiunes…so glad I googled his name!!! Thank you.
    Hello,
    I saw your apartment advertised on craigslist and am interested in renting the apartment.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the modalities for renting it. I will be doing a one year contract while in the states on a research study in the United States.I will appreciate it if i hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process soon.
    Thank you.
    Regards,
    Mr Terri nicholas of Woodstock chemist 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF,
    United Kingdom.
    Contact phone number……….+447031929479

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 1, 2008

    I got this reply 3 days ago.
    Hello,
    I saw your apartment advertised on craigslist and am interested in renting the apartment.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the modalities for renting it. I will be doing a one year contract while in the states on a research study in the United States.I will appreciate it if i hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process soon.
    Thank you.
    Regards,
    Mr Terri nicholas of Woodstock chemist 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF,
    United Kingdom.
    Contact phone number……….+447031929479

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 4, 2008

    Beware of this scammer on Craigslits
    This scammer sent the money order via ups to make believe legitimate he also asked more of the selling price. It took approximately a week for the money order from Walmart to be recognized as counterfeit. GUys beware of this i fell for it. Read his emails below…
    Thanks for your response,will you accept Money Order as a mode of payment? Because that is the only way i can pay you with as am out of town right now on contract.If you agree to it,i will require that you send me your full name,address and your phone number so that i can forward it to my Assistant to send the payment to you.I will be offering you $30 extra to hold the item for me for a week.To expediate this transaction for both of us to avoid stress.I have conclude arrangement with a moving company,they would be responsible for the packing and picking up of the item.This will make me to be sending you extra fund because the moving company need their payment before embarking on any transaction of picking up item.
    I have included their fee in the payment you will be receiving,the amount covers for all logistic needed to pick up the item from you. When you receive the Money Order get it cashed at your bank and deduct the cost of your item and the $30 i offered you for holding it for me, then you send the balance to the moving company via Money Gram or Western Union before pickup can be effected.
    Let me know if this is ok by you,because i want this transaction to be as smooth as possible.Get back to me so that i will know the status of things you can call me but am disable and also busy at new work but u can send text to 214-557-1020,until i hear from you my regards to you and your family.
    This email was received from nicho hay (nichohay07@gmail.com)
    Am sure you are doing well..i just want to tell you that the money order will get to you this week probably thursday which is tomorow..all you need to do is have them cashed at your bank immediately you receive it and remove the amount for the item plus the $30 am giving you for holding the item for me then you have the extra money sent to the moving company by western union and they will be coming for the pick up once they receive the money from you..the money order will be delivered to you by ups and here is the tracking number j2136194419.You can track it yourself at http://www.ups.com and see what time it will be delivered to your address..pls get back to me when you got the package so as to know the status of things.
    Yes..tell when you got the money order cashed so u can send the extra money to the moving company..get to me when u got money order cashed..you will send the extra money by western union to
    NAME : PAUL FAULKNER
    CITY : LITTLE ROCK
    COUNTRY : USA
    THAS THE INFO U NEED AT WESTERN UNION TO WIRE MONEY..AND YOU WILL BE GIVEN SOME DETAILS AT WESTERN UNION GET BACK TO ME WITH THEM LIKE 10 DIGIT NUMBER,AMOUNT SENT AND SENDER’S NAME AND ADDRESS..THANKS
    NICHO

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 5, 2008

    Thank You!
    Eamils I rev’d. This time it was Dr Barry Benson of Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United Kingdom
    Wife Sandra

    Hello,
    I saw your apartment advertised on craigslist.com and am interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the requirements for renting it.I will be doing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be staying with my wife and daughter .I will appreciate it if i hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process as soon as possible ..

    Thanks for your mail and details on this unit,i am indeed serious about renting this unit and will be willing to offer you 1 months rent plus the security deposit in order to secure this unit prior to our arrival.
    Could you be kind enough to let me know what the electricity/utility cost would be?as i will really need to have this unit to myself. You can send me the lease application , to enable be review it ahead of time.i would eventually have it signed physically when i arrive.In my opinion, appending signatories should be done properly and at best physically.Please , send me a picture view of the living room and bed rooms.
    This is an international situation .With this arrangement, my financier in the states,will be effecting your payment deposit to you.I believe we can work together and ensure every arrangements that we shall both execute in line with my taking up the tenancy should be done accordingly to ensure we have a proper understanding.
    In view of my work schedule, i would want us to finalise basic arrangements. I will arrive the united states by third week in May, with my wife and a 9 yr old daughter
    If you require any specific information, you can call me on my number +447024070838.
    thanks

    NOW HERE IT COMES>>>
    I have just discussed the issue of sending the check to you with my
    financier and he told me that it will be sent asap if you are set. As
    regards my furniture,i am planning on having them delivered to the
    house before our arrival so that we can settle in comfortably,you can
    understand that transiting cross atlantic is not easy so we are making
    arrangement with the furniture company to deliver the furniture before
    our arrival after the rent and security deposit has been paid to you
    by my financier.
    We will ask you for a favour here,can we rely on you to take
    delivery of the furniture for us when they are delivered? We will
    instruct the furniture company to contact you to schedule a delivery
    date and time that will be convenient for you to receive the furniture
    for us.
    As you will be handling the delivery of the furniture for us,we july
    ask our financier to include the costs of our furniture with the rent
    and deposit to be sent to you so that you can help us to make the
    payment when it is delivered. We will really appreciate if you can do
    this for us and promise to compensate you adequately for your time and
    efforts on our arrival in your place.
    Please let me know if this will be okay with you so that i can
    instruct our financier to go ahead with the payment.
    thanks

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 8, 2008

    Thank you for this web site!!! I just received an e-mail from Larry Galo, who loves my house and whants to rent it. Unfortunatly, I already sent him my contact information. But thanks to you, I know whats going to happen next. I wish I knew how to get them busted.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 9, 2008

    This is the last respond I received from “Lary Gallo”
    Thanks for the details sent to me , I will forward your details over to
    my employer and they will get in touch with the company in the states to
    send you the check, once I have an update from them that the check has
    been mailed, I will email you for you to keep watch over it to arrive
    your location. Thanks once again I will get back to you asap.I’ll have my
    decorator contact you soon so you can work out the details.Looking
    forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship with you
    Cheers
    And before that:
    Larry Gallo wrote:
    Thanks for the details on the Property, i am satisfied and will
    like to proceed with the renting process,
    i will like you to go ahead and reserve the property for me.
    So i will be needing the following informations so that the check
    for payment of the deposit of $5100 can be processed and posted to you soon.
    Name:…………
    Address:………….
    Phone number(cell and land):…………
    I want the 12 month lease to start on the 15th May 2008, i will also
    want to notify you that i have in the mean time arrange with an interior
    decorator who will be handling the purchase of furnitures,entertainment
    system and other appliances that i will need in the property,they will as
    well be in-charge of moving down my luggages down to the states.
    So the check of $9800 will be sent over to you which is a relocation grant
    by my employer, and all you need to do is deduct the deposit $5100 and you
    will forward the rest to the Decorators so i can have the place all prepared
    for my arrival. All applications and lease will be signed as soon as i
    arrive.
    Also for familiarization I Am Larry Gallo,I am 32 yrs of age,a British
    citizen, married to a lovely lady, with a daughter (Family staying over in
    the UK ), I work with LINK INSURANCE GROUP (UK), as a loss adjuster agent, I
    am a Christian, reserved in Nature, Non smoker also i don’t keep pets.
    I look forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship as a
    tenant with you.
    I await the details.
    you can reach me at this number +447024099236
    Below is my present landlords information for reference :
    Anthony Scott
    17, TIVOLI GARDEN SE185PD
    UNITED KINGDOM
    You can also call my employer at the number below to verify employment.
    (Ivan Samuel +447024017745)
    Cheers

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 9, 2008

    Apparently Larry Fagan and Larry Gallo share an apartment, employer and similar scam. Thanks to all who made this ease to track down.
    Thanks for the details on the Property, i am satisfied and will
    like to proceed with the renting process,
    i will like you to go ahead and reserve the property for me.
    So i will be needing the following informations so that the check
    for payment of the deposit of $3250 can be processed and posted to you soon.
    Name:…………
    Address:………….
    Phone number(cell and land):…………
    I want the 12 month lease to start on the 1st june 2008, i will also
    want to notify you that i have in the mean time arrange with an interior
    decorator who will be handling the purchase of furnitures,entertainment
    system and other appliances that i will need in the property,they will as
    well be in-charge of moving down my luggages down to the states.
    So the check of $8000 will be sent over to you which is a relocation grant
    by my employer, and all you need to do is deduct the deposit $3250 and you
    will forward the rest to the Decorators so i can have the place all prepared
    for my arrival. All applications and lease will be signed as soon as i
    arrive.
    Also for familiarization I Am Larry Gallo,I am 32 yrs of age,a British
    citizen, married to a lovely lady, with a daughter (Family staying over in
    the UK ), I work with LINK INSURANCE GROUP (UK), as a loss adjuster agent, I
    am a Christian, reserved in Nature, Non smoker also i don’t keep pets.
    I look forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship as a
    tenant with you.
    I await the details.
    you can reach me at this number +447024099236
    Below is my present landlords information for reference :
    Anthony Scott
    17, TIVOLI GARDEN SE185PD
    UNITED KINGDOM
    You can also call my employer at the number below to verify employment.
    (Ivan Samuel +447024017745)
    Cheers

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 11, 2008

    THANK YOU FOR THIS POSTING! i woke up this morning to THREE separate inquries on my condo which all had similar wording to this scam. I cannot believe i sought to google the names to find info about them and found this. Thank you!

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 13, 2008

    Looks like Dennis Johnson and Barry Benson have a brother named “Chest Bullford” who works with them at the Woodstock Pharmacy.
    I had offered an apartment on Craigslist and received the following email in response:
    ——
    Hello,
    I saw your apartment advertised on craigslist.com and am interested
    in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to
    know the requirements for renting it.I will be doing a one year
    research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be staying with
    my wife and daughter .I will appreciate it if i hear from you in time
    as i will want to conclude the rental process before 1st week of
    May.
    i am indeed serious about renting this unit and will be willing to
    offer you 2 months rent plus the security deposit in order to secure
    this unit prior to our arrival.
    Could you be kind enough to let me know what the electricity/utility
    cost would be?as i will really need to have this unit to myself. You
    can send me the lease application , to enable be review it ahead of
    time.i would eventually have it signed physically when i arrive.In my
    opinion, appending signatories should be done properly and at best
    physically.
    I will arrive the united states by 3rd week of May , with my wife
    and a 17 yr old daughter with no pet.
    thanks
    Dr Bullford.
    —-
    I responded to this and received the following message:

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 14, 2008

    If something sounds to good to be true it generally is. Larry Gallo sounded to good to be true.
    The question is; how bad is it if they have your email address, name, and telephone number? Unfortunaltey for me this info is in my signature block.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 15, 2008

    I WAS corresponding with our friend Larry,[larry2gallo@yahoo.co.uk], he seems pleasant enough. Fortunately the name is the same that Joe Pesci used in My Cousin Vinny and I was googling it to check it out. Thanks for the great post

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 15, 2008

    Just got the Donald Johnson email this morning. Thanks for posting as when I went to google his name, this post was the first listing I found. My listing was on the Boston Craig’s list.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 19, 2008

    this is the email that i got, thank you for letting me know about this SCAM!!!
    Hello,
    Thanks for your mail,i appreciate your wanting to help us in our situation.I am a Pharmacist by profession and i am currently working with Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United Kingdom. I will be in the states for the next one year with my wife and daughter and during my stay i will be working with David M. Cote Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell International Inc.We have a financier that is based in the states and he will be handling the rent deposit payment on our behalf,we will instruct him to send you the check for this as soon as you give us the go ahead to make payment to you.
    Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we are making arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furniture,so we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company so that they can supply the unit with furniture that will fit in well.
    As regards the lease agreement,i want you to send it to me for my review,i will eventually have it filled and signed on my arrival in your place as i am on the opinion that such documents are best filled and signed physically.We can start the lease by first of june and we will be doing a one year lease although we will be arriving first week of june You can prepare the lease in my name and wife Sandra….
    We will let you know the exact date as soon as we get a booking on a flight to the states.
    Thanks and sincere regards from me and my family.
    Dr Barry

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 19, 2008

    This scam is still going on as of May, 19th 2008, below is the email that I received(this time is Barry Benson, like the bee in the “the BEE movie” how original. His email is drbarry2001@gmail.com)
    Hello,
    Thanks for your mail,i appreciate your wanting to help us in our situation.I am a Pharmacist by profession and i am currently working with Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United Kingdom. I will be in the states for the next one year with my wife and daughter and during my stay i will be working with David M. Cote Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell International Inc.We have a financier that is based in the states and he will be handling the rent deposit payment on our behalf,we will instruct him to send you the check for this as soon as you give us the go ahead to make payment to you.
    Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we are making arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furniture,so we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company so that they can supply the unit with furniture that will fit in well.
    As regards the lease agreement,i want you to send it to me for my review,i will eventually have it filled and signed on my arrival in your place as i am on the opinion that such documents are best filled and signed physically.We can start the lease by first of june and we will be doing a one year lease although we will be arriving first week of june You can prepare the lease in my name and wife Sandra….
    We will let you know the exact date as soon as we get a booking on a flight to the states.
    Thanks and sincere regards from me and my family.
    Dr Barry

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 24, 2008

    i had a guy by the ame of alexx email me for weeks for this n scale train. we decided on a price and he said he would send a certified check. i recieved the check in an UPS package the name on the package was an Allen Harger from 3130 Amber Lane Monroe GA, 30655. this check was for about 800 dollars more than we agreed pon for the sale of the train. also the check was from a compan out of Florida….Unsure of Company…. sent check through my bank it cleared i haent told this guy yet that ity cleared for a gut feeling i had that something was fishy…..and i didnt notice this site til now. Today he sent me a e-mail telling me his delivery man is in Africa and to send remainder of mney to a NIGERIAN address***BLING BLING*** bells went offf…im no idiot…..knew somethin was up when the check showed…i own my own Auto Reapir shop and deal with Idiots ALL THE TIME….welll ok sometimes….but this check cleared for 1200.00 us dollars. its in my account. A. do i have a cashiers chec written for that amount and send back to this alexx or to the company wich original check was writen? or B>):) do i be the business man i am and respected member of my community and turn this in to the county officials? or my fav and choice…C!!!! pla themlike theytried playin me? keep thier cash put it towards my business…could use new snap on scanner or otc…just ideas…..or even a third lift…..or blow it at the casino…..
    i know whats right…whats wrong….whats just and whats legal and illegal….they commited a felony in the state of wisconsin…..but does this man exists??? here is his last e-mail….this is what made me want to just keep cash….n say…U BEEN HAD AT UR OWN GAME….
    dear friend,
    how are u doing,sorry my phone went off the other time i called you and am yet to fix it…i just contacted my shipper to find his whereabout and i was told he went down to africa to deliver some shippment and he gave me some information which the excess fund should be sent to….pls i want you to go withdraw the money on monday and i would want you to deduct the amount for your item and send the rest to the address that was provided by my shipper below through western union…
    name:olaoye taiwo
    address:no 44 onibuke zone 1 olomi,
    city:ibadan
    oyo:state
    country:nigeria
    and also you would be provided with the information below at the western union point which you would need to send to me here so that i can forward it to my shipper so that he can come down to you location for the pick up…
    mtcn number (10 digit)
    amount sent……..
    nb:pls do not use any security question or answer and also let me know the time you would be available at home next week so that he would be able to come down to you location for the pick up…pls do it as soon as possible….God bless you
    TELL ME WHAT U WULD DO….PLEASE…EMAIL ME AT jlshute23@yahoo.com and tell me what any of u readers would do with the money???? its been cleared and ready to spend…..i hate bieng put on the spot like this over somethin so stupid!!!!! thanks…Jamey

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 26, 2008

    I am so glad that I decided to Google this guys name, because I thought this email was a joke, and I now know that it is. Thank you Dave for putting it out there for all to see. Keep up the good work!
    Below is what I got, which is pretty much “exactly” what alot of others got. I hope it helps.
    Cindy
    Good day over there my name is Dr JOHN BULUCCI as i was brouwsing
    through the internet searching for a place to rent during my research
    i saw your unit advert on craigslist.com and am interested in renting
    it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the
    modalities for renting unit.I will be doing a one year research on
    pharmacy work while in the states and will be coming over with my
    daughter PRINCESS JULIA I will be very GLAD if i can hear from you in
    time as i will want to conclude the rental process before we arrive in
    the State by JULY 1ST .
    Regards
    Dr JOHN BULUCCI of Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20
    1TF, UnitedKingdom.i can be reach at.
    Office….+447031973137
    Home……+447031905507

    Reply
  • Avatar
    June 3, 2008

    You’d have to be a complete moron to fall for this scam. The lousy spelling and grammar should be enough to tip you off. And these Nigerian scammers always sign off with “God Bless”.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    June 3, 2008

    BTW Larry Gallo was a notorious Mafia mobster with the Colombo crime family in the early Sixties.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    June 12, 2008

    I got the same scam:
    Thanks for your email deatails,i appreciate your waiting to help us in all oursituation.I am a Pharmacy by profession and i am currently working with Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United Kingdom. I will be in the states for the next one year with my daughter and during my stay i will be working with Richard T. Clark,, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Merck &Co “America’s Leadership in Pharmaceutical Research.We have a financier that is based in the states and he will be handling the rent deposit payment on our behalf,we will instruct him to send you the payment deposit for this as soon as you give us the go ahead to make payment to you. As regards the lease agreement,i want you to send it to me for myreview,i will eventually have it filled and signed on my arrival in your place. as i am of the opinion that such documents are best filled and signed physically in person .We can start the lease asap and wewill be doing a one year lease although we will not be arriving until june30th …You can prepare the lease in my name Dr Donald Johnson Let us know how to move ahead as we intend to complete this deal by end of this month ,we will let you know the exact date as soon as we get booking on a flight to the United states.
    Thanks and sincere regards from me and my Daughter
    Regards
    Donald Johnson

    Hello over there my name is Donald Johnson, as i was brouwsing through the internet searching for a place to rent during my research i saw your apartment advert on craigslist.com and am interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the modalities for renting it.I will bedoing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be staying with my daughter Binta I will be very GLAD if i can hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process before we arrive in the State by june 30th . Regards Dr Donald Johnson of Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, UnitedKingdom.
    i can be reach at……
    Office….+447031973137
    Home……+447031905507

    Reply
  • Avatar
    June 12, 2008

    I just got an e-mail from this guy. Same story about the furniture company but he used the name Micheal Jones and the e-mail address drmichealjones@googlemail.com. Luckily, I thought it sounded fishy and I typed in the company name that he told me he was moving over here for (United States Implants & orthopedic Agency) and your blog popped up. So, thanks for posting this info so I didn’t waste anymore of my time with this guy. You gotta love the internet.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    June 19, 2008

    My in-laws received the same thing in Amarillo, TX. The name was Williams Tancredi.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    June 20, 2008

    Thanks for the heads up. Just got the same scam tried on me.
    “Good day over there my name is Dr ROBBISON CAMMARA as i was brouwsing through the internet searching for a place to rent during my research i saw your unit advert on craigslist.com and am interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the modalities for renting unit.I will be doing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be coming over with my daughter PRINCESS JULIA I will be very GLAD if i can hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process before we arrive in the State by JULY 15TH .
    Regards
    Dr ROBBISON CAMMARA of Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, UnitedKingdom.i can be reach at.
    CELL…+447031910966”

    Reply
  • Avatar
    June 21, 2008

    Interesting article. I just wanted to include that Craigs List can be a difficult environment for online marketers, and I just recently did a radio show on that topic. The show is entitled “Frankly Better Internet Marketing” and it appears at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fandc near the bottom of the page. My guest was James Starr, who co-authored an instructional series called “Craigs List Black Hat”, largely about getting around Craigs List defenses. He shares his thoughts about online marketing and how to get started, as well as some great tips on his topic of expertise, writing classified ads.
    Its an hour long show, and I hope you get the chance to listen while you go about your daily marketing tasks. Its also available for download.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    June 24, 2008

    I am selling office funiture in Maryland and just received a 2000.00 check the the 3130 Amber Lane address, it did not sound right so I started questioning the person I am corrisponding with a
    kelly mart [kllmart2@gmail.com]. She wants me to cash the check take my share and then pay her shipping company, NOT going to happen Kelly. Now they are moving on to furniture. Be very careful.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    June 24, 2008

    I am selling office funiture in Maryland and just received a 2000.00 check the the 3130 Amber Lane address, it did not sound right so I started questioning the person I am corrisponding with a
    kelly mart [kllmart2@gmail.com]. She wants me to cash the check take my share and then pay her shipping company, NOT going to happen Kelly. Now they are moving on to furniture. Be very careful.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    June 25, 2008

    Yes….
    There is another SCAM going on by the names of JENNIFER and ROBERT LIEBETREU. They say they live in the UK and have several apartments in New York they are trying to rent. They have ads all over Craigslist. I did the research on them and actually contacted the REAL owners of the aparments and they were like…’what?’
    These idiots actually go as far as sending you ‘fake keys’ to apartments they don’t even own. That part… I don’t actually get. They could brush up on their criminal skills. They are not that bright. They will ask you for $2oo dollars to send the keys to you insured through Western Union. Their emails are set up with a liebetreu.jenni@live.com address and it pops up as the Liebetreu Family in your InBox. She’ll keep emailing you because she is completely broke and pathetic. Just spam them, tell them off and report them to the UK Police at http://www.met.police.uk…I did. I’ve reported them to every investigative agency under the sun. SHe doesn’t speak really good English, which is strange….because she says she’s English. Go figure.
    They are pretty smooth I have to say but don’t ever wire money to someone overseas. Assholes like this need to stay in their own country.
    Be very careful….and avoid Craigslist at all costs. It seems as though nothing good ever comes out of that site except desperation and weirdos posting scammy stuff. Whatever. I’m over that.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    June 25, 2008

    so these guys are scamming the craigs list in toledo ohio posted a vechile for sale this guy sent a check for 8500 for the vechile and the balance to pay the movers to bring my vechile to him they are using DR BEN in this particular scam DR BEN sends the e-mail that he is interested then the check comes from a CHASE bank in NEW YORK but the business adress goes back to this john guy in monroe georgia what shit heads did they think that i would just deposit the check without waiting to verify it oh by the way the check could not be verified at the CHASE BANK in NEW YORK
    god help us cant anyone be trusted anymore

    Reply
  • Avatar
    July 1, 2008

    This is the response that I got for a towhouse listing on TenantMarket.com – this time the guy says that he is a widowed cergyman with a young daughter…
    Goodday to you overthere,i am Reverend Michael Williams by name,i saw this unit been advertised on thatrentalsite.com and am much more interested in renting it,having read the details about it in the ad which really suites me.I will be signing a one year lease or more for the unit depending on how the area is condusive for my daughter and i, i will want to know the modalities for renting it and the actual price to pay per month ,i will be working with the Christain Centres in the city and will be living with my lovely daughter(Lowrie) whom is 12yrs old.I will be looking forward to hear from you as soon as possible as i will want to conclude the rental process before i arrive on the 15th of July. Regards Rev Michael Williams of St Anne\’s Anglican Church(Diocese of London). Rev Michael Williams mwills500@gmail.com

    Reply
  • Avatar
    July 1, 2008

    Greetings,
    I have had a running e-mail with one of these scammers for almost a month. Actually got him yelling at me yesterday when I told him I would Western Union to the furniture store just as soon as the check he wrote me cleared my bank . I knew from the 1st e-mail it was a scam but figured I would mess with him. So far I have received 2 checks via UPS RED to my po box. Maybe I will let him know I was messing with him soon

    Reply
  • Avatar
    July 2, 2008

    I just got the same scam from a response on Boston’s Craig’s List. Thanks so much for this website! Saved us a lot of trouble! Has anyone tried to report this guy from “Link Insurance Group”

    Reply
  • Avatar
    July 2, 2008

    SCAM IS STILL GOING ON. POSTED ON CRAIGS LIST LAST NIGHT AND VIOLA! GOT EMAIL FROM HIM THIS MORNING. SO GLAD THAT I HAD SENSE ENOUGH TO GOOGLE HIS PHONE NUMBER. I HAD A SNEAKY FEELING THIS WAS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS! HIS NAME IS NOW “BARRY BENSON” AND HIS EMAIL FOLLOWS:
    Hello,
    Thanks for your mail and details on this unit,i am indeed serious about renting this unit and will be willing to offer you 1 months rent plus the security deposit in order to secure this unit prior to our arrival.
    Could you be kind enough to let me know what the electricity/utility cost would be?as i will really need to have this unit to myself. You can send me the lease application , to enable be review it ahead of time.i would eventually have it signed physically when i arrive.In my opinion, appending signatories should be done properly and at best physically.Please , send me a picture view of the living room and bed rooms.
    This is an international situation .With this arrangement, my financier in the states,will be effecting your payment deposit to you.I believe we can work together and ensure every arrangements that we shall both execute in line with my taking up the tenancy should be done accordingly to ensure we have a proper understanding.
    In view of my work schedule, i would want us to finalise basic arrangements. I will arrive the united states by 3rd week in july, with my wife and a 9 yr old daughter
    If you require any specific information, you can call me on my number +447024070838.
    thanks

    Reply
  • Avatar
    July 10, 2008

    Thomas,
    The house Monthly rental is $1000.00, Security Deposit is $1000.00, Electric/Utility’s are your responsibility. Let me know if your still intrested.
    Richard
    > Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 23:15:52 +0100
    > From: sure.2054@googlemail.com
    > To:
    > Subject: $1000 For Rent or For Sale Pleasant Hill 3 BR (Pleasant Hill) (map)
    >
    > —
    > I saw your apartment advertised on craigslist and am interested in
    > renting it. I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know
    > the requirements for renting it. i.e
    > Monthly Fees:
    > Security Deposit
    > Electricity/Utility Bills
    >
    > I will be doing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the
    > states and will be staying with my wife and daughter .I will
    > appreciate it if i hear from you in time as i will want to conclude
    > the rental process before the Ending of July
    >
    > Thank you.
    Hello , Thanks for your response and here is a brief introduction about myself;i am a Pharmacist by profession and I am currently working withthe Woodstock Pharmacy, Woodstock,United Kingdom. I will berelocating to the united states of America for the next one year andduring my stay i will be working for the United States Implants &orthopedic Agency on a private research work. I hereby reaffirm myinterest about renting your home and will be willing to offer you onemonth rent for a start, plus the security deposit in order to securethe unit prior to our arrival to the united states. I have a financierbased in U.S.A and he will be the one handling the rent depositpayment on our behalf,i will instruct him to send you a bank Check inpayment for the rent as soon as you give me the go ahead to sendpayment to you. I’ll be coming with my wife and daughter Due to thelimited time that we have before our arrival and in line with my workschedule ,we are making arrangements with a furniture company tosupply the home with furnitures ,so we will need you to provide uswith the accurate measurements of the living room and bedroom so thatwe can send it to the furniture company and they supply the unit withfurniture that would fit in well… i would really appreciate it ifyou could send me some pictures of the living room and the bedrooms.As regards the lease agreement form,you can have it forwarded tome for review.though i will have it filled and signed on our arrivalto your place because i am of the opinion that such vital document isbest filled and signed physically. We can start the lease by first ofJuly and it shall be for a period of 12 months. You can prepare thelease in my name and that of my wife (Dr Thomas & Mary Paul). Let meknow how to move ahead as I intend to complete this deal before I movein a couple of days. I want all the arrangement to be solidified so Isettle in comfortably when I arrive. I will let you know the exactdate as soon as I get a booking on a flight to the states.I will lookforward to your e mail with the required information.Thanks and sincere regards from me and my precious family. I awaityour urgent response.Dr. Paul
    Same scam different names.
    Thanks for the post

    Reply
  • Avatar
    July 31, 2008

    My best friend had a scam pulled on her just today with this same 3130 amber Lane address. It was for secret shopping at WalMart. She deposited their check, bought 2500 worth of items to return, then sent them a check back minus the amount she was to be paid. This verified for me that she was scammed. how can people do this?? She will never get that money back either!

    Reply
  • Avatar
    August 1, 2008

    BEWARE: Thank you also for notifying me of these scams. Unfortunately Zoran is back, and gave me false hope on a place just outside Chicago.
    The email was almost identical to one that was posted earlier. He would not respond to my requests to meet him or his wife in person, or to call me. He also wanted to know if there were any good private schools in the area. The guy is a complete scam. The email was as follows:
    Thanks for your mail and the details provided on this unit . I will be living in this unit with my wife and daughter. (Mrs Elizabeth Zoran and Miss Natasha Zoran).
    I am a medical practioner and I also own a hotel here in Bulgaria. I am a citizen of Bulgaria. I will provide you with a copy of my passport and pictures of my family. My wife will be meeting with you tocomplete all the paper work.
    I am interested in signing a year lease. Please provide me with a copy of your lease application for my review. Let me know if I can make payment for the first twelve months and the security deposit.
    I want you to provide me with the dimensions of the living roo or the floor plan. Please let me know when to call you.
    My regards,
    Dr. Cojbasic Zoran

    Reply
  • Avatar
    August 1, 2008

    BEWARE: Thank you also for notifying me of these scams. Unfortunately Zoran is back, and gave me false hope on a place just outside Chicago.
    The email was almost identical to one that was posted earlier. He would not respond to my requests to meet him or his wife in person, or to call me. He also wanted to know if there were any good private schools in the area. The guy is a complete scam. The email was as follows:
    Thanks for your mail and the details provided on this unit . I will be living in this unit with my wife and daughter. (Mrs Elizabeth Zoran and Miss Natasha Zoran).
    I am a medical practioner and I also own a hotel here in Bulgaria. I am a citizen of Bulgaria. I will provide you with a copy of my passport and pictures of my family. My wife will be meeting with you tocomplete all the paper work.
    I am interested in signing a year lease. Please provide me with a copy of your lease application for my review. Let me know if I can make payment for the first twelve months and the security deposit.
    I want you to provide me with the dimensions of the living roo or the floor plan. Please let me know when to call you.
    My regards,
    Dr. Cojbasic Zoran

    Reply
  • Avatar
    August 8, 2008

    I received four of these e-mails, from CHRIS HUNT and BRYAN LEI and ALLEN JAMES and WILSON ANDERSON.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    August 22, 2008

    Received the fllowing BS:
    Good Day
    With regards to the property I am inquiring about, I will like to get
    some more details about it, I am currently in the Uk and I am
    Relocating down to the US to do a survey for my employer ( MMH
    Insurance Group (UK), as we are about to open an office in the state,
    so due to my non presence to inspect the Property, I will like you to
    give me the below details.
    # I need full details including address of the property and pictures
    if available for the place.
    # Monthly rentals/security deposits.
    # If utilities is added to monthly rent.
    # When the property would be available.
    # Mail me the total move in cost.
    Here is all I can say about my self for now. I am 60 years old and I
    work full time, Monday through Friday and have weekends off except for
    once a month. I was born and raised in England, but present in France
    on a business trip for more than 5 years.. I am a professional, A
    Computer Consultant and I deal in various kind of computer
    applications and softwares.
    I graduated in Argosy University in Costa Rica 8 years ag0 and I have
    my B.sc in Computer Science…
    I am not really a sports person,, BUT I do love Hockey Games,I am a
    very out going person and fun to be with. I do play the organ and
    piano,, and I do have BOTH piano and organ here at my house.I am not a
    drinker and I don’t smoke and I don’t do drugs. YES I would like to go
    out with you on weekends and weeknights when I am free. I like going
    to movies,, concerts ,, plays,,I like camping, hiking, bike ridding,
    swimming, and I love to travel.
    I am a very dedicated individual who is totally committed to human
    development, friendly, very trustworthy and value relationship above
    anything.I am a laid back person,I love travelling,sporting and enjoy
    meeting people around the world. So I am not much at a spot due to my
    work.
    I await your response soon.
    Best Regards
    Tom Philips
    191 swan lane
    cv2 4ge Coventry

    Reply
  • Avatar
    August 29, 2008

    Thanks for the post. I recently posted an add for an item that I trying to sell and came across with a similar letter from the letter you have posted. Where the guy told me to give my name, phone number, and physical address and that he will send me the check. I can send you a copy of the email. I think that it could be the same group of people. Thanks for your effort into this matter.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    September 1, 2008

    chris.adig3@yahoo.com
    chris adighije from Niguera real estate scam looking to
    send 25Million to secure your Real Estate Advice on Purchasing
    property in Ca for 2 million…wants your personal information
    and address ….not biting on that laundry scam..Shauna in Calif
    License Realtor

    Reply
  • Avatar
    September 10, 2008

    THANK YOU THANK YOU!! My message was this:
    Hello, Thanks for the reply, i appreciate your wanting to help us in our situation.I am a Pharmacist by profession and i am currently working with Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United Kingdom. I will be in the states for the next one year with my wife and daughter….We can start the lease by the 2nd week of September and we will be doing a one year lease and we will be arriving 3rd week in September. You can prepare the lease in my name.Mr Eric Valve. let me know about the total payment with the measurement of the unit and some pictures…
    Thanks Dr Eric.
    ——————————————————————————–
    Subject: RE: $1150 / 3br –
    Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 15:45:32 -0400
    From: To: ericvalve101@hotmail.com
    I can email signiture pages, do you want to send me a certified check and then I send you a check back to some off shore account?
    I thought this would scare him off but no such luck….I have recieved 6 different emails fro 4 different doctors!
    ——————————————————————————–
    From: eric valve [mailto:ericvalve101@hotmail.com]
    Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 3:36 PM
    To: Subject: $1150 /
    Hello,
    I saw your apartment advertised on craigslist.com and am interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the requirements for renting it.I will be doing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be staying with my wife and daughter .I will appreciate it if i hear from you in time
    as i will want to conclude the rental process before 2nd week of September.
    I am indeed serious about renting this unit and will be willing to offer you 2 months rent plus the security deposit in order to secure this unit prior to our arrival. Could you be kind enough to let me know what the electricity/utility cost would be?as i will really need to have this unit to myself. You can send me the lease application , to enable be review it ahead of
    time.i would eventually have it signed physically when i arrive ,In my opinion, appending signatories should be done properly and at best physically.
    I will arrive in state by 3rd week of September , with my wife and a 17 yr old daughter with no pet.
    thanks
    Dr Eric.
    So they are hitting Michigan as well, typed in the address and this page came up! Thanks for taking the time to post!!!!

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 8, 2008

    My spidey sense was tingling. And, this site confirmed it. Dr. Barry Benson contacted me for an apartment offered on Craigslist. Word for word what was found here. Thanks so much. Tony Fleming, Chicago.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 8, 2008

    Similiar emails but from Elias Shahem, CEO of Barada services, phone number 44 70457 46081

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 8, 2008

    October 7, 2008
    Just received emails from Dr. Barry Benson. Same thing as everyone else has posted. I live in Kansas City.
    Julie

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 14, 2008

    Thanks for the post. My husband and I received an email also and thought it may be a scam just by the spelling/use of words. Just didn’t sound right and so I googled the email address used and came upon this page. Great! This is what I received, not claiming to be a doctor but an engineer now.

    Hello,
    My name is Raymond Taylor. I am an industrial engineer presently working for A Managerial and Engineering Company (AMEC) in the United Kingdom.I came across your advert for an apartment you want to rent on craigslist.com. I will be doing a one year lease for it and i want to know the necessary requirements for renting it.
    Kindly let me know what the Monthly Fees, Security deposit and the Electricity/Utility bills are.The reason am enquiring about the house is because i will be doing a one year engineering project while in the state and i need a place to stay.
    I will be coming with my wife and 7year old son and no pet.I will appreciate it if i hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process as soon as possible.
    Thanks

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 14, 2008

    Our craigslist ad was hit in Georgia.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 15, 2008

    Here is another one. I almost fell for the first. Sounded too good so I researched before going any farther..Check this out……
    Hello,
    My name is Raymond Taylor. I am an industrial engineer presently working for A Managerial and Engineering Company (AMEC) in the United Kingdom.I came across your advert for an apartment you want to rent on craigslist.com. I will be doing a one year lease for it and i want to know the necessary requirements for renting it.
    Kindly let me know what the Monthly Fees, Security deposit and the Electricity/Utility bills are.The reason am enquiring about the house is because i will be doing a one year engineering project while in the state and i need a place to stay.
    I will be coming with my wife and 7year old son and no pet.I will appreciate it if i hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process as soon as possible.
    Thanks
    Then I got a second e-mail after replying…..
    Hello,
    I realy appreciate your timely response.I want you to know that am very much serious about renting the house and very much willing to offer two month rent plus the security deposit in order to secure this unit prior to my arrival. You can send me the lease application, to enable me to review it ahead of time
    I will be in the states for the next one year and during my stay I will be working with the Culligan International Corp on a private engineering work.I will be working with George .W Tamke, the Chief Executive Officer you can contact him on 832-615-1294.
    I have a financier that is based in the States and he will be handling the rent deposit payment on my behalf, I will instruct him to send you a Certified Check for this as soon as you give me the go ahead to make out payment to you.Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we are making arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furnitures,so we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company so that they can supply the unit with furniture that will fit in well. Also send me a picture viewing the living room and the bed rooms
    As regards the lease agreement, I want you to send it to me for my review. I will eventually have it filled and signed on my arrival in your place as I am of the opinion that such documents are best filled and signed physically. We can start the lease by November 1st and I will be doing a one year lease. You can prepare the lease in my name.
    Let me know how to move ahead as I intend to complete this deal before I move in a couple of days. I want all the arrangement to be solidified so I settle in comfortably when I arrive. I will let you know the exact date as soon as I get a booking on a flight to the states.
    I will look forward to your e mail with the required information.
    Thanks and sincere regards from me and my precious family. I await your urgent response.
    Engineer. Taylor
    +447024058482
    How do they get away with this???

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 15, 2008

    That previous one was on alaskas craiglist

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 19, 2008

    Below is another scam letter received from someone who sent this in:
    Hello,
    Thanks for your mail, I am indeed serious about renting this unit and will be willing to offer you two month rent to start with plus the security deposit in order to secure this unit prior to my arrival. You can send me the lease application, to enable me to review it ahead of time. I am an Engineer by profession and I am currently working with Bluepoint Construction Ltd, Liverpool, UK. I will be in the states for the next one year and during my stay I will be working with Costello Industries Incorporated, (CII) on a private construction work. I will be working with Scott Anderson,you can contact him on 206-339-2855.
    I have a financier that is based in the States and he will be handling the rent deposit payment on my behalf, I will instruct him to send you a Certified Check for this as soon as you give me the go ahead to make out payment to you.Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we are making arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furnitures,so we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company so that they can supply the unit with furniture that will fit in well. Also send me a picture viewing the living room and the bed rooms.
    As regards the lease agreement, I want you to send it to me for my review. I will eventually have it filled and signed on my arrival in your place as I am of the opinion that such documents are best filled and signed physically. We can start the lease by 1st of November 2008. and I will be doing a one year lease. You can prepare the lease in our names (Engr. Scott Waltman & Margaret Waltman).
    Let me know how to move ahead as I intend to complete this deal before I move in a couple of days. I want all the arrangement to be solidified so I settle in comfortably when I arrive. I will let you know the exact date as soon as I get a booking on a flight to the states.
    I will look forward to your e mail with the required information.Thanks and sincere regards from me and my precious wife. I await your urgent response.
    Engr. Scott
    +447024060969

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 23, 2008

    Dr. Barry Scam still going on as of Oct. 23rd 2008
    —–Original Message—–
    From: barry benson drbarry2001@gmail.com
    To:
    Sent: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:14 pm
    Subject: Re: 3br -Rental
    Hello,
    Thanks for your mail and details on this unit,i am indeed
    serious about renting this unit and will be willing to offer you 1
    months rent plus the security deposit in order to secure this unit
    prior to our arrival.
    Could you be kind enough to let me know what the electricity/utility
    cost would be?as i will really need to have this unit to myself. You
    can send me the lease application , to enable be review it ahead of
    time.i would eventually have it signed physically when i arrive.In my
    opinion, appending signatories should be done properly and at best
    physically.Please , send me a picture view of the living room and bed
    rooms.
    This is an international situation .With this arrangement, my
    financier in the states,will be effecting your payment deposit to
    you.I believe we can work together and ensure every arrangements that
    we shall both execute in line with my taking up the tenancy should be
    done accordingly to ensure we have a proper understanding.
    In view of my work schedule, i would want us to finalise basic
    arrangements. I will arrive the united states by 15st of NOV, with my
    wife and a 9 yr old daughter
    If you require any specific information, you can call me on my number
    +447024048350.
    thanks

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 29, 2008

    Thanks for sharing. Dr. Jones just contacted me via Minneapolis Craiglst, but luckily he’s too lazy to change the text and phone number, so I was able to Google and find your post. Much appreciated, great public service!

    Reply
  • Avatar
    November 3, 2008

    I got this email msg/response tonight, from a posting on Craig’s List, for a rental in Northwest Florida:
    From: barry benson”
    To: kefl@yahoo.com
    —–Inline Attachment Follows—–

    Hello,
    I saw your apartment advertised on craigslist.com and am interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the requirements for renting it.I will be doing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be staying with my wife and daughter .I will appreciate it if i hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process as soon as possible.
    Thank you
    ——————————-
    Beware, they’re still scamming.
    The other week, I got a separate scam/bogus response, too – and they sent bogus pictures of a family:
    ————————————-
    Am serious about renting this unit……..Tuesday, October 21, 2008 5:21 AM
    From: “Luis Mila”
    To: dici02@hotmail.com
    Message contains attachmentsMary.jpg (4KB), Me and my wife.jpg (4KB), Me My family in my compound.jpg (6KB), Mila’s.jpg (5KB), Prof Luis Mila & Mrs Florence Mila.jpg (4KB)Hello….
    Many thanks to your prompt response and brief details on this unit. I am indeed a potential tenant and serious about renting this unit. Having discovered lots of Dinasaurs fossil such as Dinosaurs Megalosaurus ,Oviraptor, Pinacosaurus, Saurornithoides, Velociraptor, plesiosaur, Ichthyosaurus etc. Am coming to state to Trade those fossils with some US Museums.
    In view of my work schedule, i would want us to finalise basic arrangements. I’m and i am currently working with Netherlands Fossil hunters Imperial Dinosaur Fossil Research Amsterdam, Netherlands. I will be in the states for the next one year with my wife and five year old daughter and during my stay i will be Trading dinosaur fossils with Some USA Museums and Research with some America Palentologist on fossils hunting and field work. Am willing to offer you 1month rent + the security deposit and utilities if any to secure this unit prior to my arrival to state, and on my arrival, i’ll pay for the 11months fees in Cash. My Trustee in the states will be the one to handle the Move in fee, and we will instruct him to send you the check for this as soon as you give us the go ahead to make payment to you. Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival, we are making arrangements with a furniture company there in state to supply the home with some befitting furnitures.
    We can start the lease at your ealiest convinient time and we will be effecting a one year lease although, we will be arriving on 31st of October 2008. You can prepare the lease in me and my wife name “Prof Luis Mila & Mrs Florence Mila
    Once again, thank for the measurements and the price that you sent to me, it will indeed be of great help to deternine the Sieze of Furnitures that my furnitures company will supply to the unit… As regards my furniture, am planning on having them delivered to the house before our arrival so that we can settle in comfortably, you can understand that transporting furnitures across atlantic is not easy, so we are making arrangement with the furniture company there in State to deliver the furnitures before our arrival after the rent and security deposit has been fully paid to you by my Trustee. I want to seek your indulgence and favor. Can we rely on you to take delivery of those furnitures for us when they are delivered? We will instruct the furniture company to contact you to schedule a delivery date and time that will be convenient for you to receive those furnitures for us. As you will be handling the delivery of those furnitures for us,we may ask our Trustee to include the costs of our furnitures with the rent and deposit to be sent to you so that you can help us to make the payment when it is delivered. We will really appreciate if you can do this for us and promise to compensate you adequately for your time and effort s on our arrival in your place.
    Please let me know if this will be okay with you so that i can instruct our Trustee to go ahead with the payment.
    Let us know how to move ahead as we intend to complete this deal before we move in by 31st of October 2008, we will let you know the exact date as soon as we get a booking on a flight to the states. I want a less risk, fair,transparent and a hitch free transaction so i attached the pictures of my family so that you can have an ideal of who you are dealing with.
    If you require any specific information, pls let me know or you can call me on my cell phone, please dial as presented for international calls . {+447024017688 or +447031978953}
    P.S: Forward the lease agreement/application form to Review it ahead of time. I would eventually have it signed physically when i arrive. In my opinion, appending signatories should be done properly and at best physically. Please, send me a picture view of the living room and bed rooms only if that will not take time to do. This is an international situation and am not sure how you can run my employment and Credit check background, there’s no way we can go about this until i arrive to state, hope you understand my concern.
    With this arrangement, my Trustee in the states,will be effecting your payment deposit to you. I believe we can work together and ensure every arrangements that we shall both execute in line with my taking up the tenancy should be done accordingly to ensure we have a proper understanding.
    For Payment, Get back with the below details
    1- Name to be written on the certified American check
    2- Mailing address , No p.o.box
    3- Phone Number
    4- City
    5- Zip Code
    6- State
    Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
    Professor Luis Mila.
    Netherlands.
    Fossil Hunter {Paleontologist}
    Tel: +447024017688 or +447031978953

    Reply
  • Avatar
    December 2, 2008

    I was contacted as well this weekend (see below)…
    From: ad.delma@yahoo.com
    Subject: Property for rent
    Date: Monday, December 1, 2008, 10:45 PM
    After Reviewing the details on the Property,
    i will like to go ahead with the renting process,
    I want you to reserve the place for me.
    As for the payment of the deposit and rent totaling $2800
    also i will have an interior decorator put up the place for me prior to my arrival.
    So do provide the below information for the deposit as i have asked my employer to
    Name to issue the check to:…………
    Address:………….
    Phone number(cell and land):…………
    I want the 12 month lease to start on December 15th 2008, i also want to notify you that due to the fact that i cannot view in person, i have in the mean time arrange with an interior decorator here in England who will be putting up the place for me and also handling the purchase of furniture,entertainment system, miscellaneous appliances that i will be needing in the property, they will as well be in charge of moving down my luggage down to the states.
    Due to the time restrictions and days for a UK check to clear in the states, i have requested from my employers to issue my relocation grant in form of a cashiers check, because its easily cashed there in the US.
    So the check of ($7900) will be sent over to you which is the relocation grant by my employer, and all you need to do is to clear the check and deduct the deposit($2800) and you will handle the rest to the Decorators so i can have the place all prepared for my arrival. all other document will be signed as soon as i arrive.
    About Me:
    My Names are Adelaide Delma
    Age: 28 yrs
    Single
    Non smoker
    don’t keep pets
    Below are some references
    Current landlord: Eric Rosenfeld
    Address: 81 Waverley Rd
    Bexley London, Uk
    Email: erosenfeld33@gmail.com
    Supervisor: Richard Webber
    Address: 26 Austin Close
    Thamesmead London
    SE26 0DH
    Tel : 01904282087
    Email: r65webber@yahoo.co.uk
    I look forward to your response
    Thank You

    Reply
  • Avatar
    December 11, 2008

    Good info David! This sort of scamming letters are always ‘amusing’ once you know the real motives!
    The first kind of such scams involve the victims to buy the products for the payer, who claims there’s no direct shipping service to a particular country where he wants the product to be sent. He will send the exceeded amount (check) to his victims and later ask for the excess amount to be sent back to him asap.
    The smarter “victims” will try to encash the check first before shopping for the requested product and before refunding overpaid amount. When the check cannot be encashed, that’s when they realised they have wasted a lot of time.
    “Eff” the scammers! Show them a middle finger of a chicken!

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 6, 2009

    He is still out there! His name is Samuel Piper now and he is an engineer (email address is s.piper1313@gmail.com. Below is the 2nd letter he sent to us. Then we asked for him to fill out the application and didn’t hear back. I also called Castello Industries in CT to verify his so called private project in the states. Big disappointment that we don’t have renters yet, but thank god we didn’t go any further.
    Hello,
    Thanks for your mail, I am indeed serious about renting this unit and will be willing to offer you two month rent to start with plus the security deposit in order to secure this unit prior to my arrival. You can send me the lease application via email, to enable me to review it ahead of time. I am an Engineer by profession and I am currently working with Beechwood Recruitment Ltd, Aberdeen City, United Kingdom. I will be in the states for the next one year and during my stay I will be working with Costello Industries Incorporated, (CII) on a private construction work.
    I have a financier that is based in the States and he will be handling the rent deposit payment on my behalf, I will instruct him to send you a Bank Certified Check for this as soon as you give me the go ahead to make out payment to you.Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we are making arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furnitures,so we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company so that they can supply the unit with furnitures that will fit in well before our arrival. Also send me a picture viewing the living room and the bed rooms.
    As regards the lease agreement, I want you to send it to me for my review. I will eventually have it filled and signed on my arrival in your place as I am of the opinion that such documents are best filled and signed physically. We can start the lease by 1st of February 2009, Pls let me know if this is okay with you. I will be doing a one year lease. You can prepare the lease in our names (Engr. Samuel Piper & Cheryl Piper).
    Let me know how to move ahead as I intend to complete this deal before I move in a couple of days. I want all the arrangement to be solidified so I settle in comfortably when I arrive. I will let you know the exact date as soon as I get a booking on a flight to the states.
    I will look forward to your e mail with the required information.Thanks and sincere regards from me and my precious wife. I await your urgent response.
    Engr. Samuel
    +447024060969

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 6, 2009

    We are trying to rent out a townhouse in central New Jersey and have it posted on Craigslist as well. Just a few days ago we received the letter which follow. So watch out for similar Scam from “Samuel Piper” s.piper1313@gmail.com. Seems like this guy has nothing better to do with his time than annoy other people.
    Hello,
    Thanks for your mail, I am indeed serious about renting this unit and will be willing to offer you two month rent to start with plus the security deposit in order to secure this unit prior to my arrival. You can send me the lease application via email, to enable me to review it ahead of time. I am an Engineer by profession and I am currently working with Beechwood Recruitment Ltd, Aberdeen City, United Kingdom. I will be in the states for the next one year and during my stay I will be working with Costello Industries Incorporated, (CII) on a private construction work.
    I have a financier that is based in the States and he will be handling the rent deposit payment on my behalf, I will instruct him to send you a Bank Certified Check for this as soon as you give me the go ahead to make out payment to you.Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we are making arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furnitures,so we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company so that they can supply the unit with furnitures that will fit in well before our arrival. Also send me a picture viewing the living room and the bed rooms.
    As regards the lease agreement, I want you to send it to me for my review. I will eventually have it filled and signed on my arrival in your place as I am of the opinion that such documents are best filled and signed physically. We can start the lease by 1st of February 2009, Pls let me know if this is okay with you. I will be doing a one year lease. You can prepare the lease in our names (Engr. Samuel Piper & Cheryl Piper).
    Let me know how to move ahead as I intend to complete this deal before I move in a couple of days. I want all the arrangement to be solidified so I settle in comfortably when I arrive. I will let you know the exact date as soon as I get a booking on a flight to the states.
    I will look forward to your e mail with the required information.Thanks and sincere regards from me and my precious wife. I await your urgent response.
    Engr. Samuel
    +447024060969

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 20, 2009

    Thanks for the warning. The name and profession in my case has changed somewhat but the wording and errors of most of the mail has remained the same as shown below. The response was to a Condo for rent in NJ.
    Best regards,
    Jane
    Their email response:
    Hello ,
    Thanks for your response and here is a brief introduction about my self;i am a Pharmacist by profession and I am currently working with the Woodstock Pharmacy, Woodstock , United Kingdom .. I will be relocating to the united states of America for the next one year and during my stay i will be working for the United States Implants & orthopedic Agency on a private research work. I hereby reaffirm my interest about renting your home and will be willing to offer you one month rent for a start, plus the security deposit in order to secure the unit prior to our arrival to the united states .
    I have a financier based in U…S.A and he will be the one handling the rent deposit payment on our behalf,i will instruct him to send you a bank Check in payment for the rent as soon as you give me the go ahead to send payment to you. I’ll be coming with my wife Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival and in line with my work schedule ,we are making arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furniture ,so we will need you to provide us with the accurate measurements of the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company and they supply the unit with furniture that would fit in well… i would really appreciate it if you could send me some pictures of the living room and the bed rooms.
    As regards the lease agreement form,you can have it forwarded to me for review.though i will have it filled and signed on our arrival to your place because am of the opinion that such vital document is best filled and signed physically. We can start the lease by 1st of Feb and it shall be for a period of 12 months. You can prepare the lease in my name and that of my wife(Dr George Madden & Dr Mrs Cora Madden).
    Let me know how to move ahead as I intend to complete this deal before I move in a couple of days. I want all the arrangement to be solidified so I settle in comfortably when I arrive. I will let you know the exact date as soon as I get a booking on a flight to the states. I will look forward to your e mail with the required information.
    Here is my phone number +447024020034 Thanks and sincere regards from me and my precious family…
    I await your urgent response
    Dr George Madden

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 2, 2009

    I was just contacted yesterday here is what he said:
    Thanks for your mail,i appreciate your waiting to help us in all our
    situation.I am a Pharmacy by profession and i am currently working with
    Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United Kingdom. I will
    be in the states for the next one year with my daughter and during my stay i
    will be working with Raymond V.Gilmartin, chairman, president and chief
    executive officer of Merck &Co “America’s Leadership in Pharmaceutical
    Research.We have a financier that is based in the states and he will be
    handling the rent deposit payment on our behalf,we will instruct him to send
    you the check for this as soon as yougive us the go ahead to make payment to
    you.
    Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we are making
    arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furniture,so
    we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living room and
    bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company so that they can
    supply the unit with furniture that will fit in well. As regards the lease
    agreement,i want you to send it to me for my review,i will eventually have
    it filled and signed on my arrival in your place as i am of the opinion that
    such documents are best filled and signed physically.We can start the lease
    by the 15th of march and we will be doing a one year lease although we will
    not be arriving until the 1st of April or even before then.You can prepare
    the lease in my name Dr Bulusi Laffler and my wife’s name Mrs.melissa
    Laffler.Please call my cell phone +4470 3194 4629
    Let us know how to move ahead as we intend to complete this deal before
    we move in by the next month,we will let you know the exact date as soon as
    we get a booking on a flight to the states
    Here was his next email:
    Thanks for the mail that you sent to me,it will indeed be of great
    help as regards my furniture. As regards my furniture,i am planning
    on having them delivered to the house before my arrival so that we can
    settle in comfortably,you can understand that transiting cross
    atlantic is not easy so we are making arrangement with the furniture
    company to deliver the furniture before my arrival after the rent and
    security deposit has been paid to you by my financier.We will ask you
    for a favour here,can we rely on you to take delivery of the furniture
    for us when they are delivered? We will instruct the furniture company
    to contact you to schedule a delivery date and time that will be
    convenient for you to receive the furniture for us.As you I be
    handling the delivery of the furniture for us,we may ask my financier
    to include the costs of my furniture with the rent and deposit to be
    sent to you so that you can help us to make the payment when it is
    delivered. We will really appreciate if you can do this for us and
    promise to compensate you adequately for your time and efforts on my
    arrival in your place.
    Please let me know if this will be okay with you so that i can
    instruct our financier to go ahead with the payment.Thanks and God bless
    The guy even called me to let me know the check was coming tomorrow! I’m glad I started to feel uneasy and googled the pharmacy he said he worked at or else I may have been taken in!
    Who should I report this to.
    Cheryl

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 2, 2009

    I called the police and they gave may this website to report this issue to:
    http://www.ic3.gov
    they also said we could report it to the postmaster general. Thank you so much for this site without it I may have wasted a lot of time and heart ache.
    Cheryl

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 2, 2009

    The scammer has hit Kansas City! Thanks for the heads up. I just googled his name + company + UK and this article popped up!
    Thanks again! Jamie from KC
    Thanks for your mail,i appreciate your waiting to help us in all our
    situation.I am a Pharmacy by profession and i am currently working with
    Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United Kingdom. I will
    be in the states for the next one year with my daughter and during my stay i
    will be working with Raymond V.Gilmartin, chairman, president and chief
    executive officer of Merck &Co “America’s Leadership in Pharmaceutical
    Research.We have a financier that is based in the states and he will be
    handling the rent deposit payment on our behalf,we will instruct him to send
    you the check for this as soon as yougive us the go ahead to make payment to
    you.
    Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we are making
    arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furniture,so
    we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living room and
    bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company so that they can
    supply the unit with furniture that will fit in well. As regards the lease
    agreement,i want you to send it to me for my review,i will eventually have
    it filled and signed on my arrival in your place as i am of the opinion that
    such documents are best filled and signed physically.We can start the lease
    by the 15th of march and we will be doing a one year lease although we will
    not be arriving until the 1st of April or even before then.You can prepare
    the lease in my name Dr Patric Wallace and my wife’s name Mrs.melissa
    Wallace.Please call my cell phone +4470 3194 4629
    Let us know how to move ahead as we intend to complete this deal before
    we move in by the next month,we will let you know the exact date as soon as
    we get a booking on a flight to the states..
    Hello,
    I come across your apartment advertised on the internet and i am interested in renting it,please let me know if it is still available.I will be signing one year lease for this unit and will be staying with my wife and daughter, and will be willing to offer you 2 months rent plus the security deposit in order to secure this unit prior to our arrival. Could you be kind enough to let me know what the electricity/utility cost would be ?as i will really need to have this unit to myself. You can send me the lease application , to enable be review it ahead of time.i would eventually have it signed physically when i arrive.In my opinion, appending signatories should be done properly and at best physically.Please , send me a picture view of the living room and bed rooms.
    I will like you to send me pictures of the living rooms and
    bedrooms of the apartment,so that I can see what it looks like

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 10, 2009

    Thanks for taking the time to put out this warning. I was a bit suspicious when I received this inquiry and started doing a little research. They attempted this on my rental property in San Marcos, Texas…. and Thanks Again, you saved me a lot of time that I would have wasted otherwise…ConleyGiles@gmail.com Here is their email:
    Hello,
    Thanks for your mail,i appreciate your wanting to help us in our situation.I am a Pharmacist by profession and i am currently working with Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United Kingdom. I will be in the states for the next one year with my wife and daughter and during my stay i will be working with David M. Cote Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell International Inc.We have a financier that is based in the states and he will be handling the rent deposit payment on our behalf,we will instruct him to send you the check for this as soon as you give us the go ahead to make payment to you.
    Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we are making arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furniture,so we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company so that they can supply the unit with furniture that will fit in well.
    As regards the lease agreement,i want you to send it to me for my review,i will eventually have it filled and signed on my arrival in your place as i am on the opinion that such documents are best filled and signed physically.We can start the lease by 1st of April and we will be doing a one year lease although we will be arriving 5TH of April You can prepare the lease in my name Dr Fox Lennon and wife Jeniver Lennon……..
    We will let you know the exact date as soon as we get a booking on a flight to the states.
    Thanks and sincere regards from me and my family.\
    Woodstock Pharmacy.
    24 High St,
    Woodstock,
    OX20 1TF
    United Kingdom
    +447024048350.
    foxlennon0420@gmail.com
    Reffrences:
    David M. Cote
    Chairman/CEO
    Honeywell International Inc

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 18, 2009

    Thanks for the post. Dr. Chris is at it now. Below is our email conversation:
    Hello,
    Thanks for your mail,i appreciate your wanting to help us in our situation.I am a Pharmacist by profession and i am currently working with Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United Kingdom. I will be in the states for the next one year with my wife and during my stay i will be working with David M. Cote Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell International Inc.We have a financier that is based in the states and he will be handling the rent deposit payment on our behalf,we will instruct him to send you the check for this as soon as you give us the go ahead to make payment to you.
    Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,we are making arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furniture,so we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company so that they can supply the unit with furniture that will fit in well.
    As regards the lease agreement,i want you to send it to me for my review,i will eventually have it filled and signed on my arrival in your place as i am on the opinion that such documents are best filled and signed physically.We can start the lease by 1st of April and we will be doing a one year lease although we will be arriving 21th of
    April. You can prepare the lease in my name and wife Sandra Hunt….
    We will let you know the exact date as soon as we get a booking on a flight to the states.
    Thanks and sincere regards from me and my wife.
    Dr Chris.
    —–Original Message—–
    From: Chris hunt [mailto:drchris1984@gmail.com]
    Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 4:14 PM
    To: Cody
    Subject: Re: $1500 / 3br – STEAL! 2800 sq ft by the Country Club (Bloomington, UT)
    Hello,
    Thanks for your mail and details on this unit,i am indeed serious about renting this unit and will be willing to offer you 2 months rent plus the security deposit in order to secure this unit prior to our arrival.Could you be kind enough to let me know what the electricity/utility cost would be?as i will really need to have this unit to myself. You can send me the lease application ,to enable be review it ahead of time.i would eventually have it signed physically when i arrive.In my opinion, appending signatories should be done properly and at best physically.Please send picture view of the living room and bed rooms.
    This is an international situation .With this arrangement, my financier in the states,will be effecting your payment deposit to you.I believe we can work together and ensure every arrangements that we shall both execute in line with my taking up the tenancy should be done accordingly to ensure we have a proper understanding.
    In view of my work schedule, i would want us to finalise basic arangements. I will arrive the united states by 21 of April with my wife.
    If you require any specific information, you can call me on my number
    +447024048350.
    Thanks
    —–Original Message—–
    From: Cody
    Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 9:50 AM
    To: ‘Chris hunt’
    Cc: Tom Capece
    Subject: RE: $1500 / 3br – STEAL! 2800 sq ft by the Country Club (Bloomington, UT)
    Chris,
    If you could call me or give me a number that I could reach you at I would be happy to go over the details with you. It’s a great home and we want someone who will take good care of it.
    Talk to you soon.
    Cody
    —–Original Message—–
    From: Chris hunt [mailto:drchris1984@gmail.com]
    Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 12:38 PM
    To: Cody
    Subject: $1500 / 3br – STEAL! 2800 sq ft by the Country Club (Bloomington, UT) (map)

    Hello,
    I saw your apartment advertised on craigslist.com and am interested in renting it.I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know the requirements for renting it.I will be doing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the states and will be staying with my wife.I will appreciate it if i hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process as soon as possible.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 19, 2009

    My wife and I have a rental on Craigslist and have two competing individuals from the UK who wrote similar letters. I also noted that for two college educated people, they both showed poor writing skills. We search for craigslist real estated scams and found this site. Our situation never got to the point of receiving any any “checks”, funny or otherwise. Glad I found this.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    March 25, 2009

    Same thing happened to me. Doctor wants to rent. He is willing to pay security plus two months to a year rent. Engish is very poor for someone with the name Smith. The most interesting part is he refers to himself as Dr. Max Pitcher in the body of the email but signs as Dr. Paul Smith.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    May 1, 2009

    Thanks to this website, I escaped in time. This scammer is still at it, this time in Ames, IA. I still don’t quite understand how he hopes to make any money on this deal, but the posts were identical. I think I may have had two of them, one a Fox Lennon from Woodstock, UK, supposedly a pharmacist, the other from a travel agent named Gary Richards in London, but I didn’t pursue the “travel agent” so I am not sure. I am now limiting my prospective renters to face to face contact. When I used the email reverse, the address, f.lennon@yahoo.com come up as originating in Mountain View, CA, and then when I googled the address of the pharmacy in Woodstock, I found this! Thanks again for this post!

    Reply
  • Avatar
    June 15, 2009

    Hi, I have received the same scam e-mail. Did some checking as this person identified themselves as Dr. Jonny Billton working for Honeywell International under the direction of David M Cote, CEO, arriving in the states on June 30th.
    Glad I did some research before this got out of line!

    Reply
  • Avatar
    July 10, 2009

    The scam is in Florida also this time it is Woodstock Pharmacy. Eamon Cox wants to rent the house.
    The funiture money is to be sent to Alicia Flores in Doral Fla. 33178 ammounts are as follows:
    Check in the amount of $7,000.00 Was sent $5,000 was to be wired to Alicia Flores in Doral Fla. 33178
    Eamon’s daughter was killed in a car accident so he will not be comming to the states. He wants the remainding $2,000.00 also sent to Alicia Flores in Doral Fla. 33178.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    July 13, 2009

    I was contacted by a UK “Doctor Gerald” who wanted to buy my townhouse. He responded to my ad on Craigslist here in Vancouver, BC. This is his latest info:
    ___________________________
    Thanks for your mail. The contents were clearly understood. Here are my contact details:
    Dr. Alexandre Malychev
    2,Whitechapel Road, London, UK, E1 1BB
    Phone +44 70457 46089
    Fax+44-709-289-4939
    Please provide me with a copy of the floor plan.I will also require a copy of the Purchase document for my review.
    I am buying this unit for my family, Based on our present schedule, My family will be in Canada before the 30th of August. I have an investment worth $400003in Canada. I have already instructed that my investment should be liquidated to enable me effect payment for this unit.
    I spoke with my Lawyer this morning, Follwoing the conversation with my lawyer, I want you to provide me a copy of the Sale/Purchase agreement. Upon receipt of this documents, my lawyer will review the terms and condition before i sign the document.
    I am paying in full for this unit, However i want you to make some form of reduction on your final asking price. I intend to pay $315,003.I will like to know if you are the direct owner of this unit or a Realtor.Provide me with more pictures of the kitchen and the living room. Do you have any link for more details of this unit? My representative in Canada will take care of the Payment of this unit upon my approval Please re-confirm your mailing address and because i will be forwarding the mailing address to my representative as payment will be overnight to that address upon completion of the paper work. For any further enquiries. You can contact the company representative directly.
    Following my busy schedule this period. You can call me between 7pm- 10:48pm my time. Please let me know when to call you. I will creat time to always call you in the evenings your time because i understand that i am 7hrs ahead. Talk to you soon.
    Mr Todd Balys,
    Phone: 613-525-5783
    Email:BAYLISVENTURES@YAHOO.CA
    Please acknowledge receipt of this mail. I will give you a call today.
    My regards,
    Dr. Gerald.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    July 17, 2009

    Still happening

    Reply
  • Avatar
    July 17, 2009

    Hi there. OMG!!!! I can’t believe it. Dr. Gerald is emailing us as well. Unfortunately, we sent him pics, purchase agreement, etc before finding this site. I was suspicious because of the broken english in an apparent doctor from england. I had my husband call his contact and it is no longer in service. I see this phone number in above postings as well. It gives me the shivers reading these posts. How can he continue to get away with this. Can he do anything with our information? Thank God for someone taking the time to make this site. I am depressed our house isn’t really selling but soooo happy to have found this site. We are currently filling out a police report. Dr Gerald appears to have given up renting and now wants to buy!!!!
    Here is his last email to us:
    Thanks for your mail. The contents were clearly understood. Here are my contact details:
    Dr. Stoikov Gerald
    2,Whitechapel Road, London, UK, E1 1BB
    Phone +44 70457 46089
    Fax+44-709-289-4939
    Please provide me with a copy of the floor plan.I will also require a copy of the Purchase document for my review.
    I am buying this unit for my family, Based on our present schedule, My family will be in Canada before the 30th of August. I have an investment worth $709900 in Canada. I have already instructed that my investment should be liquidated to enable me effect payment for this unit. I spoke with my Lawyer this morning, Follwoing the conversation with my lawyer, I want you to provide me a copy of the Sale/Purchase agreement. Upon receipt of this documents, my lawyer will review the terms and condition before i sign the document. I will like to know if you are the owner or a realtor.
    I am paying in full for this unit, However i want you to make some form of reduction on your final asking price.
    I intend to pay $624900 Provide me with more pictures of the kitchen and the living room. Do you have any link for more details of this unit? My representative in Canada will take care of the Payment of this unit upon my approval Please re-confirm your mailing address and because i will be forwarding the mailing address to my representative as payment will be overnight to that address upon completion of the paper work. For any further enquiries. You can contact the company representative directly.
    Following my busy schedule this period. You can call me between 7pm- 10:48pm my time. Please let me know when to call you. I will creat time to always call you in the evenings your time because i understand that i am 7hrs ahead. Talk to you soon.
    Mr Todd Balys,
    Phone: 613-525-5783
    Email:BAYLISVENTURES@YAHOO.CA
    Please acknowledge receipt of this mail. I will give you a call today.
    My regards,
    Dr. Gerald.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    July 17, 2009

    In regards to the above email, we had advertised on Toronto’s Craigslist in Ontario, Canada.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    July 18, 2009

    Hi, my Craigslist ad was hit in Vancouver and this time the scammer used Dr. Abromovich, a Russian national living in London. He had a private practice and was looking to relocate. What tipped me off was that each person i spoke to – the furniture dealer, the friend in Canada and himself, had a Slavic accent. Also, I asked for pictures and he sent me pics of a couple in their 50’s but apparently they had an 11yr old daughter.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    August 6, 2009

    My parents received the same type of letter but theirs was sent by a “Dr Eddie Graver.” I am so glad that I researched this bizarre email… I am forwarding it to the Attorney General. Hopefully someone can stop this moron before he gets someone elses money. I got some advice from another site… have them fill out a rediculous amount of paperwork and provide US references, etc… you know, make them fustrated… keep them going but don’t EVER send them anything, DRIVE THEM CRAZY, like they have done to us. What has this world come to???

    Reply
  • Avatar
    August 7, 2009

    Hello,
    I found this luxurious Manhattan apartment add in craigslist, it all seem too good to be true, but I thought they were just desperate due to the economic crisis.
    A person by the mane of Dmary Jane (djmarry11@yahoo.co.uk) got in contact with me and sent all the information for the rental agreement, after investigating the information provided by this person (building name, unit number and address) , results showed that this is all a “big scam” ; since there is only one building with this name in Manhattan; which is situated in a different location, the apartment number 14 does not exit and the building concierge does not know anything about the contact (djmarry11@yahoo.co.uk) or the apartment owner (ALPORT COOPER) whom requested a money order or transfer to foreign address (106-110 BELGRAVE ROAD, LONDON, SW1V 2BJ). Even the pictures that this criminals used to promote their scam were copied from a real estate website that is promoting the condos for sell; compare the two websites, address and pictures :
    Condo living (http://www.condo-living-west.com/nyblog/2008/09/m127-new-york-city-apartments-at-127.html)
    Craigslist.org (http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/vac/1294883156.html)
    it is a shame that Craigslist a network for online advertisement which purpose is to help the community is now been used by con artist to scam honest people.
    Sincerely,
    Rick Miami, FL

    Reply
  • Avatar
    August 13, 2009

    Thanks for this info – received the same emails from “Dr. Arun Gupta” claiming to work @ St. Marks Hospital, U.K. & coming to the U.S. to do private research for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency & needed our condo for rent immediately. The scammer said he was a chemist by profession. Same dialogue as in the other posts. We got as far as requesting measurements of our condo, as he was already in touch with a furniture company. I did google Dr. Arun Gupta @ St. Marks hospital & sure enough he does work there as a Gastroenterology Radiologist. This scammer was using this doctor’s identity in his scam, however he couldn’t seem to get the specialty straight which raised the reddest red flag for me. Couldn’t understand the relationship between gastro radiologist & environmental protection. These scammers are not that smart, however their presentation is believable. Anyway, so glad to find this post to confirm my suspicions.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    September 6, 2009

    I nearly got suckered! i’m so glad that we have the web (and Dave!) to alert us of these scumbags. It’s September 5th, 2009, and I also received the fraudulent email. See below:
    Hello ,
    Thanks for your response and here is a brief introduction about my
    self;i am a Pharmacist by profession and I am currently working with
    the Woodstock Pharmacy, Woodstock,United Kingdom. I will be
    relocating to the united states of America for the next one year and
    during my stay i will be working for the United States Implants &
    orthopedic Agency on a private research work. I hereby reaffirm my
    interest about renting your home and will be willing to offer you one
    month rent for a start, plus the security deposit in order to secure
    the unit prior to our arrival to the united states. I have a financier
    based in U.S.A and he will be the one handling the rent deposit
    payment on our behalf,i will instruct him to send you a bank Check in
    payment for the rent as soon as you give me the go ahead to send
    payment to you. I’ll be coming with my wife and daughter Due to the
    limited time that we have before our arrival and in line with my work
    schedule ,we are making arrangements with a furniture company to
    supply the home with furniture’s ,so we will need you to provide us
    with the accurate measurements of the living room and bedroom so that
    we can send it to the furniture company and they supply the unit with
    furniture that would fit in well… i would really appreciate it if
    you could send me some pictures of the living room and the bed
    rooms.As regards the lease agreement form,you can have it forwarded to
    me for review.though i will have it filled and signed on our arrival
    to your place because i am of the opinion that such vital document is
    best filled and signed physically. We can start the lease by first of
    October and it shall be for a period of 12 months. You can prepare the
    lease in my name and that of my wife (Dr.Breaken & Mary Breaken). Let
    me know how to move ahead as I intend to complete this deal before I
    move in a couple of days. I want all the arrangement to be solidified
    so I settle in comfortably when I arrive. I will let you know the
    exact date as soon as I get a booking on a flight to the states.I will
    look forward to your e mail with the required information.
    Thanks and sincere regards from me and my precious family. I await
    your urgent response.
    Dr.Breaken
    On 9/4/09, xxx wrote:
    > Thank you for your inquiry about the house for rent.
    >
    > It is still available, though there were some people who have taken interest
    > in it.
    >
    > To answer your question: The security deposit is $2000, plus the first
    > month’s rent of $2,690. The tenant pays all the utility bills, including
    > electicity, gas, trash and water. There is a gardener who maintains the
    > front and backyard, but the landlord will pay for it.
    > The rent is due on the first day of the month.
    >
    > Are you able to come and visit, so you can see the property? My husband and
    > I would like to meet you and your family :-). When do you need to move in?
    > Also, if you are interested, I will send you the rental agreement for you
    > to fill out. The sooner we can get it, the better.
    >
    > Thank you and please let me know if you have any further questions.
    >
    > Best,
    > xxx
    >
    >
    >
    > — On Fri, 9/4/09, Collins Breaken wrote:
    >
    > From: Collins Breaken > Subject: $2690 / 3br – 2ba Perfect Home!*Great Location**Must See !!!**
    > (South San Francisco) (map)
    > To: hous-d8dvg-1357783994@craigslist.org
    > Date: Friday, September 4, 2009, 12:12 AM
    >
    > ** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
    > ** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
    > ** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
    > ** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
    >
    > Hello,
    > I saw your apartment advertised on craigslist and am interested in
    > renting it. I will be signing a one year lease for it and want to know
    > the requirements for renting it. i.e
    > Monthly Fees:
    > Security Deposit
    > Electricity/Utility Bills
    > I will be doing a one year research on pharmacy work while in the
    > states and will be staying with my wife and daughter .I will
    > appreciate it if i hear from you in time as i will want to conclude
    > the rental process asp.
    > Thank you.
    >

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 16, 2009

    Like the read… The guy is pulling it here in Florida now…… You would think he’d atleast change the story more…. For christ sakes, its word for word, or maybe its just some dummy here who has read your article, trying it without any original thought…. OH well, thanks for the heads up…
    May all scammers burn in hell someday…

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 26, 2009

    Hello ,
    Thanks for your response and here is a brief introduction about myself,i am a Pharmacist by profession and I am currently working with the Woodstock Pharmacy, Woodstock,United Kingdom. I will be relocating to the united states of America for the next one year and during my stay i will be working for the United States Implants & orthopedic Agency on a private research work. I hereby reaffirm my interest about renting your home and will be willing to offer you one month rent for a start, plus the security deposit in order to secure the unit prior to our arrival to the united states. I have a financier based in U.S.A and he will be the one handling the rent deposit payment on our behalf,i will instruct him to send you a bank Check in payment for the rent as soon as you give me the go ahead to send payment to you. I’ll be coming with my wife and daughter.
    Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival and in line with my work schedule ,we are making arrangements with a furniture company to supply the home with furniture’s ,so we will need you to provide us with the accurate measurements of the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company and they supply the unit with furniture that would fit in well… i would really appreciate it if you could send me some pictures of the living room and the bed rooms.
    As regards the lease agreement form,you can have it forwarded to me for review.though i will have it filled and signed on our arrival to your place because i am of the opinion that such vital document is best filled and signed physically. We can start the lease on the 15th of November and it shall be for a period of 12 months. You can prepare the lease in my name and that of my wife (Dr.Michael Mellon& Mechelle Mellon).Let me know how to move ahead as I intend to complete this deal before I move in a couple of days. I want all the arrangement to be solidified so I settle in comfortably when I arrive. I will let you know the exact date as soon as I get a booking on a flight to the states.I will look forward to your e mail with the required information.Here is my phone number +447024045798.Thanks and sincere regards from me and my precious family. I await your urgent response.
    Dr. Michael Mellon

    Reply
  • Avatar
    October 26, 2009

    This was in Bellingham, WA.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    November 23, 2009

    We posted an ad, cottage to rent in a small town in Felton and the same thing happened to us. 3 different scamers responded and they all used the same pitch. I think they may have just copy/pasted. SAD!!!!! Thanks for the heads up, but they would not have gotten $ out of my tight fist. But there are people out there that would be caught unaware. Thanks again. Sonne

    Reply
  • Avatar
    September 28, 2010

    I see that this post is from 2007 but even these days there attacks on craiglist and people complaining of.

    Reply
  • Avatar
    January 4, 2011

    January 4th, I received scam email in response to my posting on Craigslist.
    It seems to be the same scammer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Wayne Foster
    à
    date 4 janvier 2011 01:42
    objet IM INTERESTED IN YOUR ROOM
    envoyé par craigslist.org
    Good day, I saw your room adv. and am interested in renting it.I will like to know the modalities for renting it like the rental duration, total cost, and any other condition. I am a Pharmacist by profession and i currently work with Woodstock Pharmacy 24 High St, Woodstock, OX20 1TF, United Kingdom. I will be in Paris, France in the next couple of weeks and during my stay i will be working with Honeywell International of which i will be doing a research on pharmacy. I will appreciate it if i hear from you in time as i will want to conclude the rental process asap. you can reach me on (44)7960704382. I dont smoke and i dont have any pet as well.
    Thanks and sincere regards
    Wayne Foster
    >>>
    From :Wayne Foster
    date 4 janvier 2011 11:44
    objet Re: IM INTERESTED IN YOUR ROOM
    signé par yahoo.co.uk
    Hi Maya thanks for your mail ,and your urgent response.I’m indeed serious about renting your room. and i am alright with the fee and the duration but i will be coming over by the 22nd of january so i can keep the place till i come ok.i am still in the u.k and i dont think the meeting will work for now. Please , send me a full picture view of the room if possible. My financier will be effecting your payment to you by a cashier check before my arrival. i will instruct him to send you the check for this as soon as you give me the go ahead to make payment to you.please kindly send me your name and address in which the check will be issued and sent to as I will like to conclude every arrangemnt about the room immediately.
    Also please could you kindly remove the advert from the craiglist.org website. i will be grateful if you do. thanks and do have a wonderful day.
    cheers
    Thanks and sincere regards,
    wayne foster “”
    ** Happily I came across your thread. A could avoid the trouble ! Thank you for having notified about this fraud.!!!!!! -Maya.

    Reply

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