I received an email back the next day regarding this Craig’s List New York Rental Scam with details about the apartment and a request for $570 to secure the rental. There are discrepancies between what the OP received and what was sent to me:
-My apartment is on the 3rd floor not the 2nd floor
-Photos are different than Ops
-Signed ESTRADA & ITORRIA not Shelton and Itorria
_________________________________
Hello XXXXXX,
Thanks for contacting me about the NYC property . http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/vac/1932566057.html. ”$120 / 2br –
2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, Terrace Apartment, Sleeps 4-5
(Greenwich Village) .I have attached some of the pictures of the apartment with
this message ,the condo is located at 160 Bleecker St( Between Sullivan and Thompson), New York ,United States .Four blocks to the subway , and easy access to restaurants, Live Theater, museums,and grocery stores, Sightseeing, cinemas and more. Apartment features living room,two bedrooms(one queen size and a twin bed in the other
room),futon for extra sleeping ,full bath and toilet ,the apartment is located on the 3rd floor ,it is an elevator building that gives you a
clear view of the environment, washer and dryer in unit, kitchen is fully equipped .Designer built full 2-Bedrooms apartment with separate kitchen, High ceilings , wooden floors,tiled bath and
toilet,fully equipped (with dishwasher, disposal,
compactor,refrigerator and ice maker, etc.).There is also Solid arrangement for your luggage safety during check-in and check-out,and Fully-equipped laundry facility.
The property is much available for the dates you have nchosen(October 9 to 16,2010) at 120/night, $800 for your total stay,to hold your dates,40% of the rent fees ($320) + security deposit ($250 )=$570 is required to hold it.So all you need pay to secure your dates is $570,the rent balance($480) is expected to be paid on your arrival;the security deposit($250) is fully refundable on your departure,assuming no damage is done to the property rented to you .Do have a great day and i hope to hear back from you soon, so i can
forward you the booking paper work.Cheers.
Best Regards
ESTRADA & ITORRIA
________________________
I next requested the booking papers and information regarding where to send the money. I received this email this morning for these New York Rental Scam Artists.
________________________
Dear XXXXXX,
Please find attached the booking/payment form with this message,please fill it and return it with payment.. Kindly mail back if you do not
understand or want to ask any question.Send your payment to my bank account provided on the booking forms and given below.Note:download the form as attachment or click on preview to see a copy of the
rental’s agreement form,After filling ,send the filled forms back via e-mail or fax along with a scanned receipt of transaction issued by
your bank;send it to me.Please be sure to fill in your contact address correctly on the booking form and while making your payment , because
it will be used process your reservation’s receipt.Please note this.Looking forward to hearing from you again……NOTE: The account
details (see below) required for you to send the payment has been included on the booking forms for you to complete your transaction and
I hope to hear from you soon.NOTE: the keys will be handed to you by me and my wife in persons at the apartment on your arrival day,all you need do is let me know your arrival time,please.Best
regards.Thanks.NOTE:Check-in time is 4:00PM,Early check in times areallowed when the apartment is cleaned and ready.
PAYMENT DETAILS:MODE OF PAYMENT (VIA BANK TRANSFER,SEE BELOW)
————————————————————————————————————————–
BANK NAME: U.S. Bank
Account Name: Estrada Property Management
Account Number: 1534-6557-9172
Routing / ABA Number: 122235821
Swift Code…….. usbkus44imt
DEPOSIT: … $570
Best Regards
ESTRADA & ITORRIA
____________________________
Attached to this email was the Rental Agreement with the following header:
ITORRIA& ESTRADA
Two-bedroom apartment in Greenwich Village http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/vac/1932566057.html
BOOKING RENTAL AGREEMENT & INFORMATION SHEET
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN WITH PAYMENT
160 Bleecker St apt# 26, NY 10012, USA
Fax: 917-464-7914
Phone: 917-210-0504
E-mail: [email protected]
___________________________
I called their scam phone number 917-210-0504 and it is continually busy with a long silence before the busy signal is heard. A search of the number in Google revealed a scam page of Vacation Rental Scam Directory with a listing for Delores & Estrada Shelton with the same email address http://www.homeaway.com/info/ownercommunity/security-and-screening/scams-page
On the rental agreement, mode of payment is:
MODE OF PAYMENT (VIA BANK TRANSFER):SEE DETAILS BELOW)
NAME OF BANK: ……….. HSBC BANK
ACCOUNT NAME:……….. Estrada Property Management
ACCOUNT NUMBER :……..872007863
ROUTING NUMBER:………122240861
SWIFT CODE:…………………HSBCUS33XXX
DEPOSIT: … $570
I replied back that I would be in New York next week and wanted to meet with them to provide payment and view the apartment and will post their response.
