Speaking of shenanigans, this is too good not to post.

[Prufrock]

There was a posting for a 4bd/3ba in Carlsbad on Craigslist (it’s been deleted). The listed rent was $1000. I emailed the poster, to clarify if that was a typo or a weekly price.

While waiting for a response, I searched the address and found another rental ad (not on Craigslist), listing the price at $2900 and stating that the property would not be available until July. The rental company name was similar to the yahoo email address provided in the first ad.

In response to my email inquiry, I received the following email:

Hello,

Thanks for the rental request as the property is actively available for rent, it’s one of the only property for rent in a convenient neighborhood that is peaceful and safe.

This property also features air-conditioning,heating and beautiful interior dacoration,living room with fireplace and coved ceilings, separate dining room, upgraded kitchen and it’s a place to call “Home.

Rental Home Summary:
Type: Home
Status: Available for rent Now
rent fee: $1000
Security Deposit: $400 (refundable)
Pet info: Max. of 2 Pets are allowed/Pet Deposit?
Lease Info: 1months – 6 months – 1year
Utilities included in rent: Electricity,Gas,Water,washer/ dryer.

I am the owner of the property, a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church International, I am presently serving as Area Financial Executive (AFE) with the United Methodist Church in Lagos, West Africa.
I am responsible for receiving distribution of funds for various UMC projects in West Africa , and all related works with other mission personnel.I am married to a Wife named Nelly and we are blessed with a 3yr old daugther Lucy, our current home is in the vineyard of the Lord in Lagos West Africa.

The exterior view of the property is possible by you driving by the property,moreso I want to carefully accept tenancy with matured and responsible personality, which why I took along with me the property documents and keys when leaving for West Africa, and on a second thought of coming back home after the end of my service after 3yrs, then considered a placement for rent/lease.

Therefore, If you are sincerely interested to take the rent, get back to me as soon as possible for further rental proceedures and possible move in date, but only If you are not ready to live peacefully and demage-free during the rental duration (which means I can not put trust and confidence in you) Please and kindly do not reply this email.

i will want you to fill out the rental application form first and get back to me with a copy via my email

It is interesting that his African location was stated to be “Lagos, West Africa” rather than “Lagos, Nigeria”. I guess people or spam blockers have caught on to the name of the Nigerian scam.

[DWCAP]

When I was looking for a new place a few months ago we ran across this scam twice. Usually they didnt send that long of an email, just, ‘ I moved to africa to help with (charity, ususally religious) and want someone to take care of my place until I get back. I am offering reduced rent so I can find someone I trust.” My favorite of the two was that they then sent us pics in the email of a house that was obviuosly not in that neighborhood at all.
Needless to say we didnt write back.

[DWCAP]

When I was looking for a new place a few months ago we ran across this scam twice. Usually they didnt send that long of an email, just, ‘ I moved to africa to help with (charity, ususally religious) and want someone to take care of my place until I get back. I am offering reduced rent so I can find someone I trust.” My favorite of the two was that they then sent us pics in the email of a house that was obviuosly not in that neighborhood at all.
Needless to say we didnt write back.

[DWCAP]

When I was looking for a new place a few months ago we ran across this scam twice. Usually they didnt send that long of an email, just, ‘ I moved to africa to help with (charity, ususally religious) and want someone to take care of my place until I get back. I am offering reduced rent so I can find someone I trust.” My favorite of the two was that they then sent us pics in the email of a house that was obviuosly not in that neighborhood at all.
Needless to say we didnt write back.

[DWCAP]

When I was looking for a new place a few months ago we ran across this scam twice. Usually they didnt send that long of an email, just, ‘ I moved to africa to help with (charity, ususally religious) and want someone to take care of my place until I get back. I am offering reduced rent so I can find someone I trust.” My favorite of the two was that they then sent us pics in the email of a house that was obviuosly not in that neighborhood at all.
Needless to say we didnt write back.

[DWCAP]

When I was looking for a new place a few months ago we ran across this scam twice. Usually they didnt send that long of an email, just, ‘ I moved to africa to help with (charity, ususally religious) and want someone to take care of my place until I get back. I am offering reduced rent so I can find someone I trust.” My favorite of the two was that they then sent us pics in the email of a house that was obviuosly not in that neighborhood at all.
Needless to say we didnt write back.

[thenewguy]

Funny you should mention this, my mother in law was just telling us she emailed on a Craigslist ad for a SFR in Clairemont for $900 for her son and someone from Nigeria responded saying that he had to move for a job transfer blah blah blah…… It was amazing to me how close she came to sending the first months rent so that he would “send the directions on how to pick up the keys” If we didn’t catch her first and explain what 419 scams were Im afraid she might have been taken by this guy. I guess all it takes is 1 in 5000 to bite and thats average years salary for them. Just didn’t think anyone so close to me would fall for this crap. http://www.419eater.com the scambaiting website is always fun to check out from time to time.

[thenewguy]

Funny you should mention this, my mother in law was just telling us she emailed on a Craigslist ad for a SFR in Clairemont for $900 for her son and someone from Nigeria responded saying that he had to move for a job transfer blah blah blah…… It was amazing to me how close she came to sending the first months rent so that he would “send the directions on how to pick up the keys” If we didn’t catch her first and explain what 419 scams were Im afraid she might have been taken by this guy. I guess all it takes is 1 in 5000 to bite and thats average years salary for them. Just didn’t think anyone so close to me would fall for this crap. http://www.419eater.com the scambaiting website is always fun to check out from time to time.

[thenewguy]

Funny you should mention this, my mother in law was just telling us she emailed on a Craigslist ad for a SFR in Clairemont for $900 for her son and someone from Nigeria responded saying that he had to move for a job transfer blah blah blah…… It was amazing to me how close she came to sending the first months rent so that he would “send the directions on how to pick up the keys” If we didn’t catch her first and explain what 419 scams were Im afraid she might have been taken by this guy. I guess all it takes is 1 in 5000 to bite and thats average years salary for them. Just didn’t think anyone so close to me would fall for this crap. http://www.419eater.com the scambaiting website is always fun to check out from time to time.

[thenewguy]

Funny you should mention this, my mother in law was just telling us she emailed on a Craigslist ad for a SFR in Clairemont for $900 for her son and someone from Nigeria responded saying that he had to move for a job transfer blah blah blah…… It was amazing to me how close she came to sending the first months rent so that he would “send the directions on how to pick up the keys” If we didn’t catch her first and explain what 419 scams were Im afraid she might have been taken by this guy. I guess all it takes is 1 in 5000 to bite and thats average years salary for them. Just didn’t think anyone so close to me would fall for this crap. http://www.419eater.com the scambaiting website is always fun to check out from time to time.

[thenewguy]

Funny you should mention this, my mother in law was just telling us she emailed on a Craigslist ad for a SFR in Clairemont for $900 for her son and someone from Nigeria responded saying that he had to move for a job transfer blah blah blah…… It was amazing to me how close she came to sending the first months rent so that he would “send the directions on how to pick up the keys” If we didn’t catch her first and explain what 419 scams were Im afraid she might have been taken by this guy. I guess all it takes is 1 in 5000 to bite and thats average years salary for them. Just didn’t think anyone so close to me would fall for this crap. http://www.419eater.com the scambaiting website is always fun to check out from time to time.

[garysears]

Craigslist is full of scammers. I’ve seen the same one. Made me feel stupid for even emailing when I got that reply. Should have recognized the offer was too good to be true from the start.

I’m currently renting a place found on craigslist. At first I was concerned whether I was even renting from the rightful owner. There are scammers out there who will pose as the owner of a place, take your first month’s rent and security deposit and be gone.

[garysears]

Craigslist is full of scammers. I’ve seen the same one. Made me feel stupid for even emailing when I got that reply. Should have recognized the offer was too good to be true from the start.

I’m currently renting a place found on craigslist. At first I was concerned whether I was even renting from the rightful owner. There are scammers out there who will pose as the owner of a place, take your first month’s rent and security deposit and be gone.

[garysears]

Craigslist is full of scammers. I’ve seen the same one. Made me feel stupid for even emailing when I got that reply. Should have recognized the offer was too good to be true from the start.

I’m currently renting a place found on craigslist. At first I was concerned whether I was even renting from the rightful owner. There are scammers out there who will pose as the owner of a place, take your first month’s rent and security deposit and be gone.

[garysears]

Craigslist is full of scammers. I’ve seen the same one. Made me feel stupid for even emailing when I got that reply. Should have recognized the offer was too good to be true from the start.

I’m currently renting a place found on craigslist. At first I was concerned whether I was even renting from the rightful owner. There are scammers out there who will pose as the owner of a place, take your first month’s rent and security deposit and be gone.

[Author]

Posts