I think I may have found a new twist on the Nigerian scam. I am helping a friend look for an apartment in DC, and I saw a posting on Craigslist that looked too good to be true – $600/mo for a 3-bedroom apartment in DC proper! So I sent the following e-mail to the address on the listing:
Hi, I am a little puzzled by your Craiglist posting. You are offering a 3br house for rent for $600/mo? Can you clarify on this? Where is the house located? I am helping a friend look for an inexpensive place in DC, he lives in NYC now so I am helping out because I know what is a safe neighborhood better than he does, etc.
Eight hours later, I received the following reply:
from: stevens.hook@yahoo.com
Hello Dear,Thanks for the email. I own the apartment and also want you to know that it was due to my transfer to West Africa, Nigeria that makes me and my wife to leave the house and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean all the time and the person that will rent it to take it as if it were its own. So for now, We are here in West Africa and will be staying here for the next 4 years in our new house and also with the keys of the apartment for rent, we try to look for an agent that we can give this documents and the keys before we left but could not find, and we as well do not want our house to be used any how in our absence that is why we took it along with us. I and my wife came over to Africa for a missionary work, so i hope you will promise us that you will take very good care of the house. So get back to me on how you could take care of our house or perhaps experience you have in renting home. Hope you are okay with the price of $600 per month with hydro,heat laundry facilities, air condition and so on.This is the address of the Apartment (1311 28th Street Southeast, Washington DC 20020 )
SO IF YOU ARE REALY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE
RENT APPLICATIONS FORM BELOW
RENT APPLICATION FORM
Pls let me get this answer.
1)Your Full Name
2)Your Full Address & Phone Number
3)How old are you?
4)Are you married?
5)How many people will be living in the house?
6)Do you have a pet?
7)Do you have a car?
8)Occupation?
9)What is your religion?
Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file incase of issuing the receipt for you and
contacting you.Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the key to you,please we are giving you all this base on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words,you know that we do not see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand,so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this.
Thanks and you are welcome
Regards.
There are so many red flags in this, it looks like Gay Days at Disneyland.
- Obviously this person is not a native English speaker, but that’s not unusual; this city has a lot of different nationalities.
- Hmm, they got transferred to West Africa? Do you get transferred when it’s missionary work, or do you get sent? I would have thought the latter, but I could be wrong.
- Nigeria…I’m sure “scam” is the first word people associate with that country these days. Yes, , but still – “Nigeria” just screams scam.
- They took all the keys with them, well, that was prudent, but it also makes it impossible to inspect the house. Wouldn’t it have been better to leave them with a trustworthy neighbor?
- The address – nobody ever writes “Southeast” like that. It’s SE, that’s how you write it.
- Four years? You’re going to be gone four years?
- You’re charging $600/month for a 3-bedroom in an area where are $1300. Riiiiiight.
- The last paragraph is so awful. “We are giving you all this based on trust” and “await your urgent reply” are straight out of the usual scams where some relative has died or whatever.
- It’s illegal to discriminate on the basis of religion regarding housing. Craigslist doesn’t say anything about it – some other listing sites do – but if you say “you’re the wrong religion, you can’t rent from me” you will get your ass .
- And if you haven’t figured it out by now, here’s the kicker. They expect you to send them $600 a month. Hello?!
So, yeah. This looks like a new – to me – twist on the usual Nigerian scam. I think I’ll take it over to and see if anybody’s heard of it before. And if I’m wrong, I’ll eat my hat. The one I’m going to sew out of baby spinach leaves, of course.
Added: I can’t find the posting anywhere on Craigslist now. Gee hmmmm.
More: Aha!
Added 10/20/09: Almost two years after I made this post, on the matter.
Ok, I know there are a lot of comments on this but I need to add one more thing. People still fall for it! Why you may ask? Greed! As long as there are people out there willing to take advantage or get the deal that is to good to be true we will always have these scams.
We just got a very similar email. We’re so desperate to find a place to stay and I don’t know what to do about it…
A guy recently tried to craigslist scam me out of a guitar I was selling. I’m baiting him along. I had him send me a certified check with the name “Mai Deek” on it.
I had the exact same thing happen to me in Toronto!!! Although the price wasn’t THAT obvious. 500 for a bachelor apartment. I didn’t think it was a scam because they weren’t really asking for money. First they were adamant about me filling out the rental application form. I’m so soddin naive I can’t believe I almost fell for it. I filled it out and now they have all my address and phone number etc. Can they do anything with that information? I didn’t give any banking or any other crucial info. I hate to say this but ‘is Nigeria good for anything other than scams?’ You know rumors start with always a little bit of truth and sometimes end up totally being true. Look at the subtle rumors that Ricky Martin was batting for the other team…now he owns the Major League!!!
Anyway, I am so pissed off that I almost got taken in. In some ways, like St THomas Aquinas used to say ‘Id rather believe you when you say a pig is flying over the moon, then believe that you are lying!!! The biggest lesson I’ve learned from this is that if something seems to good to be true, it ALWAYS is!!!!
Hope someone can shed some light whether I have to change my phone number now because they have that info…
thanks
s
No African has any legitimate business to do on Craigslist…ever.
Nonetheless, despite the scams, it’s still worth dealing with the trouble because in the end there’s always great free stuff up there.
i just found one on craigslist in philly. im glad my gut said research this guys story. he said he and his wife left the us to go to west africia for a hospital project.
good post… keep it up…
I’ve been receiving emails from the “Nigerian Government” stating that I have won the lottery and that I’m a few billion dollars richer now. The more I ignore them, the more they send me follow-up emails. It’s been months now.
I just received the exact email as the one noted above…I am so glad I had doubts about something that sounds too good too be true. I hope these people get caught and no one falls for this BS.
Yet another one
Hello, Thanks for your interest and inquiries about my house. I am the owner of the house you are making inquiry of. The house is still available for rent and we are looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the house. The house will be available for a period of 5 years. My Family and I just traveled to Nigeria for a program Empowering Youth to Fight Racism, HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Lack of Education with Dove Christian Fellowship International. The program is taking place in three major countries which are Uganda, Japan, Haiti and Nigeria. We will be away for a while that is why we made up our mind to put up our house for rent to whom ever that will take good care of it. Please i want you to note that i spent a lot on my property that i want to give to you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and want you to treat it as your own. Utilities include Water,Trash,Sewer,Gas and Electricity. The money is not the main problem but i want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat when i come for a check up. I also want you to let me have trust in you as I always stand on my word. Below is the house description: TWO STORY HOME W/3 BR, 2BA, GREAT ROOM WITH WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE,WET BAR, EAT-IN-KITCHEN W/APPLIANCES (EXCEPT WASHER/DRYER…HOOKUP ONLY) FORMAL DINING ROOM, MASTER SUITE UPSTAIRS WITH WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE, LOFT UPSTAIRS, DECK OFF OF MASTER SUITE, LOTS OF CLOSETS, SCREEN PORCH OFF OF DINING ROOM, DECK OFF OF GREAT ROOM. CATHEDRAL CEILINGS. VERY CONVENIENT TO I-526 AND HWY. 61. MINUTES DOWNTOWN. EXCELLENT LOCATION FOR BOEING EMPLOYEES. Address: 11 Pony Ln Charleston, SC 29407 Rent: $700Security Deposit: $700 SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW: RENT APPLICATION FORM.Name (First name/ Middle name/Surname ) : __________?Phone # : __________?E-mail :
__________?Best time to call : __________?How many proposed occupants : __________?List all in addition to yourself including approx age : __________?Present Address : __________?City/State : __________?Will you have pets : __________?Please describe Breed, size : __________?Personality of pet : __________?Preferred move in date : __________?Intended length of lease: __________?Earliest possible date of deposit payment: __________?Length of previous tenancy : __________?Present occupation : __________?Are you a section 8 applicant : __________?Do you work late night : __________?Do you smoke : __________?Do you drink : __________?
Please feel free to ask any questions you do not understand and i will be looking forward to receive your email as soon as possible. As i am not around to show the inside, you can go check out the house and the neighborhood from the outside and get back to me if you really like it for more information. Please respond ASAP. For more inquiries, please feel free to reach me on any of the numbers below:( +234-802-444-6958 or 011-234-802-444-6958 ) Best Regards.ROBERTS RENEE.
I just received an identical email as Teddy!!! We are looking for a home in Branson to rent…knew the deal was too good to be true.
a new one… ONE twist.. i didnt fill out the form and im playing along to get an address on this people from nigeria…. its gonna be good!… ill post it as soon as i know something.
Thanks for your email and interest in renting my house..I am Kum J Ham, the owner of the house you are making inquiry of…Actually I resided in the house with my family, my wife and my only daughter before and presently we have moved out due to my transfer from my work now in Warsaw,Poland. Presently my house is still available for rent for $600 USD (rent already includes utilities).More so Now, i’m currently in the (West African)for an international Christian follower’s crusade.Pls i want you to note that i spent a lot on my property that i want to give to you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and want you to treat it as your own, It is not the money that is the main problem but i want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat when i come for a check up.I also want you to let me have trust in you as i always stand on my word..
ADDRESS OF MY HOUSE:5424 E Oleta Street Long Beach, CA 90815
It has a dramatic entry foyer with ceramic floor. Extremely spacious rooms throughout with lots of big windows…nice and light! New neutral paint and some newer carpet…..Very quiet, low traffic area. New fridge I believe its absolutely a perfect home for you and your family.Utilities include Water,Trash,Sewer,Gas Etc….
SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW.
RENT APPLICATION FORM.
Name (First name/ Middle name/Surname ) : __________?
Phone # : __________?
E-mail : __________?
Best time to call : __________?
How many proposed occupants : __________?
List all in addition to yourself including approx age : __________?
Present Address : __________?
City/State : __________?
Will you have pets : __________?
Please describe Breed, size : __________?
Personality of pet : __________?
Preferred move in date : __________?
Intended length of lease: __________?
Earliest possible date of deposit payment: __________?
Length of previous tenancy : __________?
Present occupation : __________?
Are you a section 8 applicant : __________?
Do you run a business from home : __________?
If so what kind of business : __________?
Do you work late night : __________?
Do you smoke : __________?
Do you drink : __________?
Looking forward to hearing from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you…Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the keys to you,please we are giving you all this based on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words,you know that we have not seen yet and only putting everything into Gods hands,so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this… The house is available for rent at the moment so you are free to move in as soon as you wish to…A Deposit of $600 (which happens to be the security deposit) is required before moving in…Feel free to call my number is ( +234-802-859-3562 OR 011-234-802-859-3562 ) me for more information and arrangements on how to get the keys and other necessary documents delivered to you…The house will be available for rent for a period of 4 years so you have a choice of deciding how long you intend staying there…
God Bless.
Kum J Ham.
This is not ok for people to do this! i got the exact same email after inquiring about a house for rent on craigslist, except it did not ask about religion. someone called me from the number listed on his email at almost 2 o’clock this morning. i was a little suspicious about the email but kept reassuring myself that they must just be good christian people that were not in it for the money. the name last name was one i am familiar with as this is a small town i recognized the last name and was taking him on his good word. My suspicions peaked when i received an email this morning that said i was approved for the house after only corresponding after 2 days. i am going to report this to my local tv news station.
It hit Lancaster, PA. So I emailed them about the home and I got an email back (below). As soon as I read it I became suspicious. Especially when I heard Nigeria. Come on, Nigerian scams are heard of so much. So I decide to research… and here I found this blog. I am happy this is here to help make people aware of this ongoing problem and to warn others! I just would like to say, I do not blame Craigslist. They warn us of scams and on the ads it says: “Avoid scams and fraud by dealing locally! Beware any arrangement involving Western Union, Moneygram, wire transfer, or a landlord/owner who is out of the country or cannot meet you in person. More info” I do MORE research and instead of wasting my gas to drive by the actual property, I find that it’s actually for sale. I notified the agent selling this property, don’t know if that will do any good but they can take for it for what it’s worth. I notified our local tv news and when I go on their sit I also see that scamming is an issue they are bringing to light. I feel like there is NOTHING we people can about it. Report is the only option they are giving but what is that doing? They are just going to get smarter and smarter!
This was the email I received:
(Note that it’s from a woman named Debra but the email is from a man’s perspective) Don’t they know that us Americans have some damn intelligence?!?
Hello
Thanks for your response regarding your interest in having my house for rent.I am Debra Chiarelli the owner of the house you are making inquiry of. The house is much available for now and it a 3 bedroom home…..I want you to know that i am the owner of this building.
But i am now presently in West Africa for my Hospitals Project prayer crusade with my wife and we have the keys right here with us.
I will like to inform you that it was due to my transfer that makes us to leave the house and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean at the time and the person that will rent it to take it as if it were its own…So for now,We are here in West Africa,NIGERIA our new house and also with the keys of the house,we are trying to look for an agent that we can give this document before we left but could not see and we are as well as don’t want our house to be used any how in our absent that is why we took it along with us here.We are only willing to give the house out to a lovely and caring family only, so if you know you cannot give the house the neatness it deserves please don ‘ t contact me.But if you promise to always take good care of the house,get back to me on how you could take care of our house or perhaps experience you have in renting a home.
Hope you are okay with the monthly price of $700 with hydro,heat laundry facilities,air-condition Etc.I am looking forward to hear from you ASAP,Our house number is (+234-706-882-6836 or +2347068826836 or 0112347068826836).below is the application form for you to fill and discuss on how to get the house for rent..
Please note that, a deposit payment ($500) would be required if accepted to have the property rented.
MOVE IN REQUIREMENT:
Security Deposit: $500
SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW.
Kindly confirm your interest by filling the form below:
RENT APPLICATION FORM.
FIRST NAME: __________
MIDDLE NAME: __________
LAST NAME: __________
PROFESSION: __________
PHONE: _______________
(CELL)PHONE: __________
(WORK)PHONE: __________
(HOME)PHONE: __________
ARE YOU MARRIED: __________
KIDS: _____ (YES/NO), HOW MANY :________
PRESENT ADDRESS: _____________________
CITY: _______________
STATE: ______________
ZIP CODE: ____________
HOW LONG: ___________IF RENTING
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING: __________
IF THIS HOUSE IS BEING GIVEN TO YOU, HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING: ____________
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN: ______________
IF YOU HAVE A PET: _________
NAME OF PET: _____________
KIND OF PETS: _____________
HABITS: ___________
DO YOU SMOKE: ____________
DO YOU DRINK: ______________
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT: _____________
HOW SOON CAN YOU MAKE THE MOVE IN DEPOSITS REQUIRED ($500): ____________
WHEN AND WHERE DO YOU WISH TO RECEIVE THE KEYS AND DOCUMENTS OF THE HOUSE: _______________
Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you.Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the key to you, you know that,we do not see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand,so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this..
Regards.
Thanks for the info.
They are trying in Forest Grove Oregon too.
So many red flags, but as a mother of 6 I had to check.
Thanks again
Also being done on craigslist in beaufort. Glad I checked into it. Thanks for all the posts.
He now has one on craigslist in weatherford tx.. Ssaying the very same except its a three bed two bath all utlities paid for 500. He was in contact with me, he is vvery rude..he told me to look at my local appraisle district and mapquest the address
Hello
I got your response concerning the Advert I published on craigslist. The house is still available and its a 3 bedroom. I did bid for a portion of petroleum land sometime ago in West Africa and fortunately I won the bidding so I have to move quickly down to Africa to have my company set up because I will still have to rebid for it in the next 4 to 5 years. I came over here with my Wife, we both built the house when we got married.. As soon as we settle down here I had a thought of selling the house so I had to look for an agent, after getting one, we made a deal but later my Wife advised against that. She said we may not be able to win the bidding next time, in other to keep our head when we return that we have to keep the house. I reasoned with her and accepted her advise.
So I contacted the Agent back and requested for my keys and documents. Later we decided to have the house rent out, we would have given the same agent this job also but the truth of the matter is that the agent would want to handle it professionally and the occupant may not be able to reason along with the idea. If you notice, you will discovered that the price we are offering is far below standard price, this is enough for you to know that we are not after the rental fee but the absolute care for the property. I know there is no way I can be sure that you are the right person to live in the house because we won’t be able to see before sending you the keys and the documents to occupy the space.. But I just have a feeling that anyone who knows what it takes to put the kind of structure down should know that maintaining a building is mandatory, so if you belief you can take good care of the house and handle it like yours then I will be more than happy to let you rent the house.
Rent/Month:400
Deposit Payment:$400
Please if you are ready now to occupy the house kindly provide the information below for record purpose
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Full Name__________________________________________________
Home Phone ( )________________________
Date of Birth_________________________________
Other Phone ( )___________________
Current Address_______________________________Apt#________ City__________________ State______ Zip________
Reasons for Leaving____________________________Rent $__________Cell Phone ( )____________________________
Are you married____________________________
How many people will be living in the house____________________________
Do you have a pet____________________________
Do you have a car____________________________
Occupation____________________________
Move In Date____________________________
HOW SOON CAN YOU HAVE THE DEPOSIT PAYMENT SENT___________________________
HOW SOON DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THE KEYS AND DOCUMENTS OF THE HOUSE___________________________
Rent/Month: $400___________________________
Deposit Payment: $400___________________________
You could give me a call as soon as possible so we could proceed.
Please note than you will only be able to drive by the house for now but not have a look at the interior until i have sent the keys and documents of the house to you…and the requirement for getting the keys and documents of the house is a fully refundable payment, which is the security deposit.
Please note that the deposit made is fully refundable should in case you finally gain entrance into the house after receiving the keys and documents and feel unsatisfied or uncomfortable with the interior, but i am giving you a benefit of doubt that you will love everything about this lovely home…
I Await your response so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the keys to you.
My cell phone number is ( +2347068826836 or 0012347068826836 or +234_706_882_6836 or 001_234_706_882_6836)
Best Regards
SCOTT.zlemso given}
That’s the answer I got from him…I’ve been playing with him for days!!! LOL
He’s super excited and thinks I’m sending payment…a**
Here is the scam email I just received for Pittsburgh, PA for a house for rent $450 at 417 North Fairmount Street. Please people don’t fall for it and give your information!
Hello
Thanks for your response regarding your interest in having my house for rent.I am Sainato Helen the owner of the house you are making inquiry of. The house is much available for now and it a 3 bedroom home…..I want you to know that i am the owner of this building.
But i am now presently in West Africa for my Hospitals Project prayer crusade with my wife and we have the keys right here with us.
I will like to inform you that it was due to my transfer that makes us to leave the house and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean at the time and the person that will rent it to take it as if it were its own…So for now,We are here in West Africa,NIGERIA our new house and also with the keys of the house,we are trying to look for an agent that we can give this document before we left but could not see and we are as well as don’t want our house to be used any how in our absent that is why we took it along with us here.We are only willing to give the house out to a lovely and caring family only, so if you know you cannot give the house the neatness it deserves please don ‘ t contact me.But if you promise to always take good care of the house,get back to me on how you could take care of our house or perhaps experience you have in renting a home.
Hope you are okay with the monthly price of $450 with hydro,heat laundry facilities,air-condition Etc.I am looking forward to hear from you ASAP,Our house number is (+234-706-882-6836 or +2347068826836 or 0112347068826836).below is the application form for you to fill and discuss on how to get the house for rent..
Please note that, a deposit payment ($450) would be required if accepted to have the property rented.
MOVE IN REQUIREMENT:
Security Deposit: $450
SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW.
Kindly confirm your interest by filling the form below:
RENT APPLICATION FORM.
FIRST NAME: __________
MIDDLE NAME: __________
LAST NAME: __________
PROFESSION: __________
PHONE: _______________
(CELL)PHONE: __________
(WORK)PHONE: __________
(HOME)PHONE: __________
ARE YOU MARRIED: __________
KIDS: _____ (YES/NO), HOW MANY :________
PRESENT ADDRESS: _____________________
CITY: _______________
STATE: ______________
ZIP CODE: ____________
HOW LONG: ___________IF RENTING
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING: __________
IF THIS HOUSE IS BEING GIVEN TO YOU, HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING: ____________
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN: ______________
IF YOU HAVE A PET: _________
NAME OF PET: _____________
KIND OF PETS: _____________
HABITS: ___________
DO YOU SMOKE: ____________
DO YOU DRINK: ______________
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT: _____________
HOW SOON CAN YOU MAKE THE MOVE IN DEPOSITS REQUIRED ($450): ____________
WHEN AND WHERE DO YOU WISH TO RECEIVE THE KEYS AND DOCUMENTS OF THE HOUSE: _______________
Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you.Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the key to you, you know that,we do not see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand,so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this..
Regards.
Sainato.