A few months ago while I was searching for a new place downtown I came across a rental that was too good to be true. I immediately expected it to be a scam as (1) it was well below market value, and (2) the required deposit was 2 1/2 months rent. What? Well, I had to inquire anyway, just to make sure, and got he following response below that I had to save for future reference, so here it is…
–Scam Email I received–
This is quite a long e-mail ,so, plese read it slowly and with attention, read it twice if you have to, i tried to explain the best as i could my proposal and things to be as clear as possible.
So, i am having second thoughts, i am not feeling comfortable just sending you the keys, sorry, nothing personal. I have noone there to show you the apartment because my parents are in France since i was 24 and my best friend is out of state.
I’ve contacted a company named ReMax. Their website is http://www.remax.com. They are a well known company all over the world, they have offices all over the world, they have an office in Athens, too. So, i went to their office in Athens and i told them that i have an apartment in San Diego and i want to rent it and they told me that they have a service i can use, i will describe it below. I accepted it, paid the fees and now all is needed is a possible tenant.
So, here is how it goes: first you must agree using the company, then I will contact the ReMax company and let them know you agreed using them, then they will send you an e-mail with all the instructions about how to proceed with the transaction, you then must send the money to the company, they’ll put the money in their trust account, then i have to send you the keys, your money will be held there until after viewing, along with the keys i will fedex the proof of ownership and a leasing contract (it’s a normal, standard contract), i will use FedEx-overnight and will provide the tracking number to you and to ReMax, you will have 5 days to go and see the apartment, if you decide to rent it you have to sign the lease, fedex-overnight it to me–keep a copy for yourself, notify ReMax that you accepted the apartment and they will release the money to me, if you dislike the apartment you have to notify ReMax and they will fully refund you, when you have the money in hands you will have to FedEx me the keys and provide me the tracking # (i pay the fees), you will also have to provide the tracking # to ReMax so they can track it too, when i receive the keys i will notify ReMax that i received it and the transaction is ended. The next step is to give me the OK to start this up with them and they’ll contact you. Giving the circumstances i am sure you understand that this is the best way to handle the transaction.
I am sure you’re asking yourself why would you deposit any money before seeing the apartment, but, again, under the circumstances this is the best way. Anyway, your money will be safe with ReMax and will be refunded if you decide not to rent the apartment.
I do not want to use a ReMax agent to show you the apartment or to whom you could give the money to because will involve realtor/broker fees and the fees are $1,600 which is huge. The service i’ve proposed above is much cheaper and i’ve paid the fees already.
Let me know your decision. Let me know please what you decide. E-mail me ASAP.
