Fraud and Scam News

Craigslist Scam falls apart

In a recent instance, fraudsters failed to pull off a regular Craigslist scam on a couple in Mt. Pleasant, SC. The couple wanted to sell off their old car online. They had posted an advertisement on Craigslist for this purpose.

Smelling an opportunity, the fraudsters responded to the ad. They somehow convinced the couple that they were genuinely interested in their car. They negotiated a deal with them and asked them to take their ad off Craigslist.

Then, they dropped in an unexpected request. They would be sending a check with a higher amount. The couple could cash the check to receive payment for the car. After taking away payment for the car, the balance remaining was meant for a shipping company hired for transportation of the car, the fraudsters explained. The shippers would come soon to collect the amount. The fraudsters requested the couple to handover the remaining amount to them.

The check duly arrived. But, along with it came a different request. A letter attached to the check asked them to cash it within 24 hours. Contradicting their earlier instructions, the fraudsters asked for the remaining amount to be wired back to them.

This is when the couple felt suspicious. The check looked bogus. The paper used did not seem check-grade. It also did not have a watermark. Moreover, the fraudsters’ action of sending them a check of higher amount and then asking them to wire the balance felt suspiciously familiar.

On hindsight, their correspondence also held out a red flag. The mails from the fraudsters carried poor language. This did not match the sophisticated persona claimed by the senders.

The couple decided against sending any money. Needless to say, they never heard from the fraudsters again.

Source: Wciv.com

27 Responses to “Craigslist Scam falls apart”

1
Craigslist Scam falls apart | Conning Us:
November 1st, 2008 at 12:30 pm
[...] original post here: Craigslist Scam falls apart Categories: Cons & ScamsTags: 419-legal-forum, advance-fee-scam, fraud, fraud-and-scam-news, [...]
2
GG:
November 12th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Publishing names/email addresses of recent Craig’s List jewelry scammers in case someone (smartly) Googles their names before commencing business with them:

Barry Wood - cdulf1234@bestmail.us,
Heather Freret - newslady68@gmail.com,
Teresa Perez - healmax003@gmail.com,
service@paypal.com - this is a bogus address,
shipment_status@accountant.com.

Most of these are part of the Nigerian Craig’s List jewelry scam. Don’t fall for the fake payment/shipment authorization emails “from PayPal”. Report emails immediately to spoof@paypal.com and press@craigslist.org.

Hope this all helps!
3
Scam Related News (11/02/2008):
December 8th, 2008 at 6:02 am
[...] Craigslist Scam falls apart By admin In a recent instance, fraudsters failed to pull off a regular Craigslist scam on a couple in Mt. Pleasant, SC. The couple wanted to sell off their old car online. They had posted an advertisement on Craigslist for this purpose. … Fraud and Scam News - http://www.419legal.org/blog/ [...]
4
Another scamer:
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Don’t send money to ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com

Hello ,

Thank you again for your reply . If you are ready to proceed with this transaction I must tell you how this service work and what we need to do.

You have to deposit to RENT Service the first month of rent-$1100 and a security deposit of $1100, so they can proceed with the shipping of the keys and the contract. Like I said, I will pay for 2 days delivery so you’ll receive the Keys and the contract signed by me right away. I will explain you step by step how this service work.

1 - To start this transaction i need to know your full shipping information (full name and shipping address)
2 - I’ll go to a RENT Office and leave the Keys and the contract on your name as the intended receiver.
3 - RENT will check the envelope to see if everything is OK with it and also the legal documents that come along with the Keys.
4 - After they will check the documents , RENT will send you a delivery notification to let you know that they have the Keys and the documents in their custody.
5 - At this point you’ll have to go to a Western Union Office and make a money deposit on the RENT agent name for the amount we agreed (the total amount you shall deposit is for the first month of rent and for the security deposit).
6 - After you’ll make the deposit you’ll have to send the info about the money deposit to RENT .
7 - RENT will verify the deposit information’s and if everything is in order they will deliver the Keys and the contract to you.
8 - After you receive the keys and the contract, you must check the apt, decide if you keep the apt or not. If all is in order you’ll instruct RENT to release the money to me. If you don`t like the apt they will return your money, and they will ship back to me the keys (you’ll have 2 days to decide if you keep the apt or not).

I will pay RENT Service for the shipping and you’ll pay Western Union for the Money Transfer fee.

So if you have $2,200 cash (the rent for 1 month-$1100 and the security deposit-$1100) and if you’re ready for this transaction tell me your full name and your shipping address and I’ll start the official procedure, and RENT will notify you about this matter. You’ll also receive important guidelines plus instructions from them (please go through them exactly)

So:
1. As soon as I get your info I will ship the keys and the contract.
2. RENT will check the contract and the keys and they will notify you about this matter(they will send you all the instructions in order to complete the deal in a safe way for both)
3. You must send the money in the next 24 hours to the RENT agent.
4. After you’ll confirm the payment they will start delivery at your address (the shipping will not take more then 2 days).
5. After you’ll receive the keys, you’ll have 2 days to decide if you keep the apt or not.

So if you’re a serious person tell me your info and I’ll start the process.
PS: When I start the process I must pay RENT fees and if you can’t send the money in the next 24 hours,they will cancel the shipping and I will lose the money paid for the transaction.

Best Regards

Don’t send money using western union or money gram to:

Barry Rorek
Address
29 Athlone Road
City/State
Brixton
PostalCode
SW2 2DT
Country
United Kingdom
5
jake:
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
This exact scenario happened to me on Craigslist from this e-mailer:

gary.jone010203@hotmail.com

not sure what would have happened if I engaged this guy, but this is very peculiar that it’s so fishy and the exact same scenario…
6
Barry Rorek:
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 am
Barry Rorek

Don’t send money to this guy. Barry Rorek

Apartment scam in New York. Beware, Don’t send money. Money gram, Western Union.

Fraud. Scam artist.

Don’t rent the apartment from this person.

Our company is the WORLD market leader in Rent Global Air Express Realtor® and
International Mail Services .

Third Party Service reduces the risks associated with Internet transactions by acting as a licensed neutral third party such as Escrow. The landlord delivers the package to one of the nearest Rent Global Air Express Realtor® office in order to asses full evaluation of content.

The package will remain in our custody until the tenant will send the payment through a Money Transfer Service (Western Union Service). After transfer has been made, Rent Global Air Express Realtor® will start delivering the parcel to the above shipping address.

[http://www.tnt.com/collection/collectionInitial.do?navigation=1&respLang=en&respCountry=GENERIC&genericSiteIdent=.]

Ship To:
First name
Richard
Last name
Address
City/State
New York, NY
Postal Code
Country
United States

[http://www.tnt.com/collection/collectionInitial.do?navigation=1&respLang=en&respCountry=GENERIC&genericSiteIdent=.]

Shipper :
First name
Melissa
Last name
Garone
Address
97 Acre Lane
City/State
Brixton
Postal Code
SW2 5TU
Country
United Kingdom

[http://www.tnt.com/collection/collectionInitial.do?navigation=1&respLang=en&respCountry=GENERIC&genericSiteIdent=.]

Shipment Details :
Service
Rent Global Air Express Realtor®
Delivered By
2 days
Shipment ID
B44SM41988
Description of Goods:
Apartment Keys and Rental Contract verified, signed by the landlord ,owner of the apartment : Atlantic Ave & 125 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201,United States.
Declared Value
US$ 2,200.00
Shipping Costs
US$ 0.00

[http://www.tnt.com/collection/collectionInitial.do?navigation=1&respLang=en&respCountry=GENERIC&genericSiteIdent=.] Package Details:

-Package ID: B44SM41988
-Insured Value Amount: US$ 2,200.00
[http://www.tnt.com/collection/collectionInitial.do?navigation=1&respLang=en&respCountry=GENERIC&genericSiteIdent=.]

Payment Information:

Important!
Payment information: (How to pay)
The tenant must send the money via Western Union Money Transfer to our local agent in United Kingdom.
1. Use the following link below to find a Western Union office : http://www.westernunion.com/info/agentInquiryIntl.asp
2. Please make the payment in the next 24 hours,only in cash, using the above Rent Global Air Express Realtor® agent details. (you must send US $2,200.00 to our Rent Global Air Express Realtor® Agent listed below - all you have to do is to fill a simple Western Union Money Transfer “send” form and hand this to the Western Union Agent along with the money).

NOTE: Western Union Money Transfer is designed mainly for sending cash to friends and family in need , so telling them you are sending the money to an Rent Global Air Express Realtor agent will prevent your money transfer to go through and you will be unable to complete this transaction (the fee is 50% higher for a commerce transaction than the fee for friends and relatives).

[http://www.tnt.com/collection/collectionInitial.do?navigation=1&respLang=en&respCountry=GENERIC&genericSiteIdent=.] Rent Global Air Express Realtor®

Agent ,Name and Address :
First name
Barry
Last name
Rorek
Address
29 Athlone Road
City/State
Brixton
PostalCode
SW2 2DT
Country
United Kingdom

3. After the payment has been made please send us the receipt from Western Union via fax at : 425-491-4546
Also you will have to reply to this e-mail with the following details from the Western Union receipt:
- The Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN), the 10-digit number located on your confirmation receipt.
- The sender exact name and address used for the transfer.
- The receiver exact name.
- The amount sent to be received .

Warning!!! The payment must be made using Western Union Money Transfer. Will not confirm any payments made online. The payment must be made at one of Western Union Office Locations.
Intellectual and other property rights to the information contained in this site are hold by
Rent Global Air Express Realtor® B.V. with all rights reserved © 2008
7
Barry Rorek:
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:16 am
Beware TNT Scam.
TNT don’t ask money!

Don’t send money to an TNT Agent or Rent.com Agent
Rent.com Don’t offer you a “safe deal” !!
Call rent.com and see!
If you will receive an email from: payment@support-rent.com then it is a scam email.
Don’t send money. Don’t send money using money gram or western union to Uk London.

Rent Global Air Express Realtor = scam! Beware No sucy company.
If it seems “too good to be true,” it probably is.

If you will receive an email :

” I am from Greece, London, Uk, Nigeria, Paris, I am out of country, or another then the place you want to rent then it is a scam.”

“I can`t come just to show you the apartment due to the distance between us.”

“I need a serious and trust worthy person who not only will pay me the rent on time but also will take care and preserve my property.”

If you witness or become a victim of online fraud, report the incident to local law enforcement authorities immediately. The following online resources should also be contacted:

Internet Crime Complaint Center
http://www.ic3.gov

Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov

Identity Theft
If you believe that your personal financial information has been revealed to a person who might use it inappropriately, visit the FTC’s identity theft website at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft for important information about protecting yourself.

Please don’t don’t send money using western union or money gram.
8
Jay:
January 18th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
BEWARE!!!!!!!! DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ……ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com……

THIS PERSON IS TOTALLY, BOGUS, IF I DIDNT HAVE TIME ON MY HANDS AND THOUGHT ABOUT RESEARCH, I WOULD HAVE BEEN SOO SCAMED OF 2,200, ALL BECAUSE IM DESPERATLY IN NEED OF A PLACE TO LIVE asap…………..BEWARE……BEWARE!!!!

SCAM………SCAM………..SCAM………..SCAM……….SCAM……….SCAM……..SCAM

Hello ,

Thank you again for your reply . If you are ready to proceed with this transaction I must tell you how this service work and what we need to do.

You have to deposit to RENT Service the first month of rent-$1100 and a security deposit of $1100, so they can proceed with the shipping of the keys and the contract. Like I said, I will pay for 2 days delivery so you’ll receive the Keys and the contract signed by me right away. I will explain you step by step how this service work.

1 - To start this transaction i need to know your full shipping information (full name and shipping address)
2 - I’ll go to a RENT Office and leave the Keys and the contract on your name as the intended receiver.
3 - RENT will check the envelope to see if everything is OK with it and also the legal documents that come along with the Keys.
4 - After they will check the documents , RENT will send you a delivery notification to let you know that they have the Keys and the documents in their custody.
5 - At this point you’ll have to go to a Western Union Office and make a money deposit on the RENT agent name for the amount we agreed (the total amount you shall deposit is for the first month of rent and for the security deposit).
6 - After you’ll make the deposit you’ll have to send the info about the money deposit to RENT .
7 - RENT will verify the deposit information’s and if everything is in order they will deliver the Keys and the contract to you.
8 - After you receive the keys and the contract, you must check the apt, decide if you keep the apt or not. If all is in order you’ll instruct RENT to release the money to me. If you don`t like the apt they will return your money, and they will ship back to me the keys (you’ll have 2 days to decide if you keep the apt or not).

I will pay RENT Service for the shipping and you’ll pay Western Union for the Money Transfer fee.

So if you have $2,200 cash (the rent for 1 month-$1100 and the security deposit-$1100) and if you’re ready for this transaction tell me your full name and your shipping address and I’ll start the official procedure, and RENT will notify you about this matter. You’ll also receive important guidelines plus instructions from them (please go through them exactly)

So:
1. As soon as I get your info I will ship the keys and the contract.
2. RENT will check the contract and the keys and they will notify you about this matter(they will send you all the instructions in order to complete the deal in a safe way for both)
3. You must send the money in the next 24 hours to the RENT agent.
4. After you’ll confirm the payment they will start delivery at your address (the shipping will not take more then 2 days).
5. After you’ll receive the keys, you’ll have 2 days to decide if you keep the apt or not.

So if you’re a serious person tell me your info and I’ll start the process.
PS: When I start the process I must pay RENT fees and if you can’t send the money in the next 24 hours,they will cancel the shipping and I will lose the money paid for the transaction.

Best Regards
9
Jay:
January 18th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
SCAM……………..SCAM……….SCAM………SCAM…..SCAM……….SCAM………SCAM……….SCAM

EMAIL ADD…… ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com

THEY STATED IN A EMAIL THAT THE LANDLORD’S NAME WAS “DONNA HICKS” AND THE REALTOR NAME IS “ROBERT KEENE”

Rent Global Air Express Realtor® and
International Mail Services .

THIS DOESNT EXIST, BEWARE…..I HOPE NO ONE GETS COUGHT UP, ITS TOTALLY FRAUD…………SORRY TO DISAPPOINT YOU ALL, BUT ITS BOGUS……….BEWARE………BEWARE!!!
10
Jay:
January 18th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I CONVERSED WITH THIS PERSON FOR TWO DAYS, AND IM NOT EASILY CONVINCED,

I WAZ SOOOO FOOLED, AND THEY ARE VERY PRECISE AND CONSISTANT, DONT FALL FOR IT……………….BECAREFUL TO ALL…………BEWARE………….DONT SEND MONEY TO………………….. ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com

BOGUS……….BOGUS………BOGUS!!!…………FAKE…….FAKE……….FAKE!!
11
Dahiana:
January 21st, 2009 at 1:36 pm
we were almost fooled by these people too……there are nothing but low live scammers.

do not send money to anyone if someone is true about an apartment try to get a lawyer or let them send you the things with no charge to you:

——————————————————————————–

RE: $1100 2br - verry spacious + parking - Brooklyn‏
From: Donna Hicks (ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com)
Sent: Wed 1/21/09 1:24 PM
To:

what proof are you crazy??????????? I paid 169gbp for you,and now you want a proof??????????????????????????? Rent didn’t sent you all the info????????????

——————————————————————————–

To: ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: $1100 2br - verry spacious + parking - Brooklyn
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:21:41 -0500

Hi,

I understand all that you are saying to me. We are willing to go through with the deal but only if you give us proof of what you are saying. we apologize if this is being an inconvience for you but we can not just trust what you are saying because you are so far away. YOU have a deal but only if you give us proof.

thank you
dahiana

——————————————————————————–

From: ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com
To:
Subject: RE: $1100 2br - verry spacious + parking - Brooklyn
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:02:54 +0000

Yes I’m the owner of the apt,I don’t know with who did you speack but I paid 169 gbp for this transaction!

——————————————————————————–

From:
To: ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: $1100 2br - verry spacious + parking - Brooklyn
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:32:34 -0500

Hi Donna,

I hope this does not sound like we do not trust what you are saying to us but we took the liberty of going to the building. We wanted to make sure of the address. We also spoke to the doorman about the apartments. He told us that there were no ownership in the building, he said that all the apartments are for RENT ONLY! You mentioned that you were the owner therefore that part seems odd to us. Can you be kind and explain how the situation in the building works.

Thank you

——————————————————————————–

From: ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com

To:
Subject: RE: $1100 2br - verry spacious + parking - Brooklyn
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:01:25 +0000

I started the official procedure and RENT will notify you about this matter(so check your email,inbox,junk…).You’ll also receive important guidelines plus instructions from them in 3 hours max(please go through them exactly).Now you must send the money to the RENT agent.As soon as RENT receive your payment, they will start delivery at your address(the shipping will take 36-48 hours).

Thank you!!!

——————————————————————————–

From:
To: ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: $1100 2br - verry spacious + parking - Brooklyn
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:34:16 -0500

Thank you,

How long does it take for rent.com to contact us with the keys and contract? also is the lease for 5 yrs??? will the price remain the same throughout the 5 yrs and if there are any problems with electricity, cable, water etc….how will it be handled? would all of this be included in the contract?

we are just trying to make sure everything is clear before we both agree to this.

thanks,

Paul & Dahiana.

——————————————————————————–

From: ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com
To:
Subject: RE: $1100 2br - verry spacious + parking - Brooklyn
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:28:15 +0000

Hello Dahiana i uderstand and all the money will be assure by Rent and is a safe deal for both….. thank you!

——————————————————————————–

To: ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: $1100 2br - verry spacious + parking - Brooklyn
Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:40:00 -0500

Hello,

Every thing sounds great. However, we have some questions before we start anything. How do we know that this is not a fraud???? WE thought you needed more information from us. Please let us know . We are interested but some people say this is too good to be true.

Thank you
Dahiana

——————————————————————————–

RE: $1100 2br - verry spacious + parking - Brooklyn‏
From: Donna Hicks (ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com)
Sent: Sun 1/18/09 5:00 PM
To:

Hello ,
Thank you again for your reply . If you are ready to proceed with this transaction I must tell you how this service work and what we need to do.
You have to deposit to RENT Service the first month of rent-$1100 and a security deposit of $1100, so they can proceed with the shipping of the keys and the contract. Like I said, I will pay for 2 days delivery so you’ll receive the Keys and the contract signed by me right away. I will explain you step by step how this service work.
1 - To start this transaction i need to know your full shipping information (full name and shipping address)
2 - I’ll go to a RENT Office and leave the Keys and the contract on your name as the intended receiver.
3 - RENT will check the envelope to see if everything is OK with it and also the legal documents that come along with the Keys.
4 - After they will check the documents , RENT will send you a delivery notification to let you know that they have the Keys and the documents in their custody.
5 - At this point you’ll have to go to a Western Union Office and make a money deposit on the RENT agent name for the amount we agreed (the total amount you shall deposit is for the first month of rent and for the security deposit).
6 - After you’ll make the deposit you’ll have to send the info about the money deposit to RENT .
7 - RENT will verify the deposit information’s and if everything is in order they will deliver the Keys and the contract to you.
8 - After you receive the keys and the contract, you must check the apt, decide if you keep the apt or not. If all is in order you’ll instruct RENT to release the money to me. If you don`t like the apt they will return your money, and they will ship back to me the keys (you’ll have 2 days to decide if you keep the apt or not).
I will pay RENT Service for the shipping and you’ll pay Western Union for the Money Transfer fee.
So if you have $2,200 cash (the rent for 1 month-$1100 and the security deposit-$1100) and if you’re ready for this transaction tell me your full name and your shipping address and I’ll start the official procedure, and RENT will notify you about this matter. You’ll also receive important guidelines plus instructions from them (please go through them exactly)
So:
1. As soon as I get your info I will ship the keys and the contract.
2. RENT will check the contract and the keys and they will notify you about this matter(they will send you all the instructions in order to complete the deal in a safe way for both)
3. You must send the money in the next 24 hours to the RENT agent.
4. After you’ll confirm the payment they will start delivery at your address (the shipping will not take more then 2 days).
5. After you’ll receive the keys, you’ll have 2 days to decide if you keep the apt or not.
So if you’re a serious person tell me your info and I’ll start the process.
PS: When I start the process I must pay RENT fees and if you can’t send the money in the next 24 hours,they will cancel the shipping and I will lose the money paid for the transaction.

Best Regards

——————————————————————————–

To: ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: $1100 2br - verry spacious + parking - Brooklyn
Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:25:45 -0500

If you can please send us the details step by step like you said we would appreciate it. We would like to move in as soon as we can.

thank you,

Dahiana

——————————————————————————–

From: ftnuyjimeo@hotmail.com
To:
Subject: $1100 2br - verry spacious + parking - Brooklyn
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:06:38 +0000

Hello my name is Donna Hicks,

This beautifully renovated condo (2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Apt with Spiral Staircase to private outdoor terrace and spacious closets, ) was my home for the last five years and is located in Atlantic Ave & 125 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201. I’ve moved to United Kingdom with my job (i am a construction engineer) and decided to rent it because the rent is is very expensive here.The price is so low because I’m here and is very hard to find a tenant.I can rent you the apt for max. 5 years . I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it, and I hope that you can send me some personal and financial information about yourself. I`m the owner and it’s exactly like in the Pics.The rent of the apt for 1 month is $1100 including all utilities(water,electricity, Internet, cable,parking, garbage) and I want to receive the money monthly in my bank account.You can move in the apt in the same day when you receive the keys. The only problem is that I`m the only person who have the keys and I have no one in United States that could show you the apt.
In order to check it,see if you like it(I’m sure that you’ll love it),you need to receive the keys and the contract. Obviously we need a way to complete this deal in a safe and fast way for both.The solution is provided by a company called RENT (www.rent.com) which will handle the payment and delivery of the Keys .A friend of mine moved here from California and used the company to resolve the same problem . This procedure allow you to pay the rent only after you will receive the keys,after you will see it, decide if you will stay in the apt or not( I will receive the payment after you’ll check the apt).If you want to know more about how this deal can work please get back to me ASAP and I will send you the details step by step.
Let me know if you are interested because I really need to take care of this matter by the end of the next week.

Regards,
12
shame on me:
February 5th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I also fell for this scam but did the research before I would send any money. I received the exact emails that everyone else did, almost verbatim. In addition, the seller did not answer any of my questions about the apartment.

Do not be fooled by the following names/addresses:

Kimberly Dobson
190 Portobello Road
Notting Hill
United Kingdom
mncucsvoiw@hotmail.com

George Mosaic
42 Tavistock Crescent
Notting Hill
W11 1AD
United Kingdom
13
Scott:
February 25th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
I almost fell for the same exact scam. It took me two days to wake up and check it out. The addresses are the same as above, but the names are different.

Mary Ford
190 Portobello Road
Notting Hill
United Kingdom
mncucsvoiw@hotmail.com

Rebecca Butcher
42 Tavistock Crescent
Notting Hill
W11 1AD
United Kingdom

Do not send anything to bbthmokimnji0019@hotmail.com
14
greta:
March 5th, 2009 at 11:38 am
“Mary Ford” (email address: xbxofootlilfer@hotmail.com) is trying scam here in DC with condos — of course “she” has the keys to the place and needs to send them to you b/c she lives in the UK…just send her the money… yadayadayada:

Hello,

Thanks for taking the time to look at my property. My name is Mary Ford, I’m 48 years old,I’m a construction engineer and I’m the owner of this condo(2 bedrooms,2 bathrooms,1300 square footage).I lived in this beautiful condo for over 5 years,loved every day of it.It’s located in 17th St NW & T St NW, Washington, DC 20009. I’ve moved to United Kingdom with my job (i am a construction engineer) and decided to rent it because the rent is very expensive here.The price is so low because I’m here and is very hard to find a tenant.I can rent you the condo for min. 1 month and max. 6 years(or more).I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it, and I hope that you can send me some personal information about yourself.The rent of the condo for 1 month is $1100 including all utilities(water,electricity, Internet,cable, parking,air conditioning, fireplace, dishwasher, garbage) and I want to receive the money monthly in my bank account.You can move in the condo in the same day when you receive the keys. The only problem is that I`m the only person who has the keys and I have nobody in United States that could show you the condo.In order to check it,see if you like it(I’m sure that you’ll love it),you need to receive the keys and the contract. Obviously we need a way to complete this deal in a safe and fast way for both.The solution is provided by National Association of Realtors (www.realtor.com ) which will handle the payment and delivery of the Keys . A friend of mine moved here from California and used the company to resolve the same problem . This procedure allow you to pay the rent only after you will receive the keys,after you will see it, decide if you will stay in the condo or not( I will receive the payment after you’ll check the condo).
Please click on the link bellow to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) website to see how we can complete the deal in a safe way, directly from the website of the company where the procedure is explained:
http://www.realtor.com/Basics/AllAbout/Bookshelf/Escrow.asp
If you want to know more about how this deal can work please get back to me ASAP and I will send you the details step by step.
Let me know if you are interested because I really need to take care of this matter by the end of the next week.

Regards,
15
Anonymous:
March 9th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Mary Ford is also now offering this scam in santa monica
16
Anonymous:
March 14th, 2009 at 9:03 am
and in Minneapolis
17
Anonymous:
March 25th, 2009 at 3:16 am
Mary Ford is now doing this scam in Los Angeles. She emailed me the exact same email that is posted above but her email was hameorsa@hotmail.com. This is ridiculous! These people should be locked up!
18
jenna:
March 25th, 2009 at 9:56 am
and in boston! if it sounds too good to be true - IT IS!!!
19
Anonymous:
March 25th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Mary Ford is back at it again! She is now offering a 2bd+2ba condo in Los Angeles on Wilshire. “Her” new email address is hameorsa@hotmail.com

Hello,

Thanks for taking the time to look at my property. My name is Mary Ford, I’m 48 years old,I’m a construction engineer and I’m the owner of this condo(2 bedrooms,2 bathrooms,1100 square footage).I lived in this beautiful condo for over 5 years,loved every day of it.It’s located in 10599 Wilshire Blvd. at Westholme Los Angeles CA.The condo is fully furnished with all necessary amenities(exactly like in the pics),the unit is equipped with recessed lighting, central air and heat, the condo come with two parking spots,a storage unit where you can deposit my furniture (if you don’t like it and you want use your furniture),there is also a linen closet, and most importantly, a new front loading stacked washer and drier.Pets allowed.I’ve moved to United Kingdom with my job (i am a construction engineer) and decided to rent it because the rent is very expensive here.The price is so low because I’m here and is very hard to find a tenant.I can rent you the condo for min. 1 month and max. 6 years(or more).I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it, and I hope that you can send me some personal information about yourself.The rent of the condo for 1 month is $1100 including all utilities(water,electricity, Internet,cable, parking,air conditioning, fireplace, dishwasher, garbage) and I want to receive the money monthly in my bank account.You can move in the condo in the same day when you receive the keys. The only problem is that I`m the only person who has the keys and I have nobody in United States that could show you the condo.In order to check it,see if you like it(I’m sure that you’ll love it),you need to receive the keys and the contract. Obviously we need a way to complete this deal in a safe and fast way for both.The solution is provided by National Association of Realtors which will handle the payment and delivery of the Keys . A friend of mine moved here from California and used the company to resolve the same problem . This procedure allow you to pay the rent only after you will receive the keys,after you will see it, decide if you will stay in the condo or not( I will receive the payment after you’ll check the condo).
Please click on the link bellow to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) website to see how we can complete the deal in a safe way, directly from the website of the company where the procedure is explained:
http://www.realtor.com/Basics/AllAbout/Bookshelf/Escrow.asp
If you want to know more about how this deal can work please get back to me ASAP and I will send you the details step by step.

Regards,
20
Aferugia:
March 26th, 2009 at 7:56 am
We saw the one in Boston too - she sent the SAME EXACT Email word for word. She provided photos and everything.
21
cops wife:
April 1st, 2009 at 1:55 am
Mary Ford tried to scam my daughter and her girl friend. Mary Ford was renting a condo in Santa Monica. She asked for the same information as all the above emails. When she found out her father was a sergeant at the local Police Department and her condo would be very well looked after her e-mails stopped and she did not reply anymore. This is the second time on craigslist this has happen same story differnt name different country to send your money to.
her e-mail is becshorikili@hotmail.com the condo was a 2 bedroom 2 bath for $1200.00 great pictures too!!!
22
JK:
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Mary Ford is up to it again in LA on Wilshire Blvd. Sounded to good to be true.

Hello,

Thanks for taking the time to look at my property. My name is Mary Ford, I’m 48 years old,I’m a construction engineer and I’m the owner of this condo(2 bedrooms,2 bathrooms,1100 square footage).I lived in this beautiful condo for over 5 years,loved every day of it.It’s located in 10599 Wilshire Blvd. at Westholme Los Angeles CA.The condo is fully furnished with all necessary amenities(exactly like in the pics),the unit is equipped with recessed lighting, central air and heat, the condo come with two parking spots,a storage unit where you can deposit my furniture (if you don’t like it and you want use your furniture),there is also a linen closet, and most importantly, a new front loading stacked washer and drier.Pets allowed.I’ve moved to United Kingdom with my job (i am a construction engineer) and decided to rent it because the rent is very expensive here.The price is so low because I’m here and is very hard to find a tenant.I can rent you the condo for min. 1 month and max. 6 years(or more).I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it, and I hope that you can send me some personal information about yourself.The rent of the condo for 1 month is $1100 including all utilities(water,electricity, Internet,cable, parking,air conditioning, fireplace, dishwasher, garbage) and I want to receive the money monthly in my bank account.You can move in the condo in the same day when you receive the keys. The only problem is that I`m the only person who has the keys and I have nobody in United States that could show you the condo.In order to check it,see if you like it(I’m sure that you’ll love it),you need to receive the keys and the contract. Obviously we need a way to complete this deal in a safe and fast way for both.The solution is provided by National Association of Realtors which will handle the payment and delivery of the Keys . A friend of mine moved here from California and used the company to resolve the same problem . This procedure allow you to pay the rent only after you will receive the keys,after you will see it, decide if you will stay in the condo or not( I will receive the payment after you’ll check the condo).
Please click on the link bellow to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) website to see how we can complete the deal in a safe way, directly from the website of the company where the procedure is explained:
http://www.realtor.com/Basics/AllAbout/Bookshelf/Escrow.asp
If you want to know more about how this deal can work please get back to me ASAP and I will send you the details step by step.

Regards,
23
Nina:
April 4th, 2009 at 8:34 am
I got this email back from a potential apartment in Boston. I was already almost scammed by this apartment scam - and this sounds exactly like what the last one did. Heads up - do not deal with this person:

Dear Nina,

My name is (Rev. Elvis) this great apartment at ,Boston) and its owns so many Amenities, Do you promise to take very good care of it? I left the state, last month to West Africa on a missionary work, and i will be staying up to 3 years in West Africa before coming back to the state, since i became a reverend this is my first time of spending such years in Africa, I really need a trusted tenant to take care of the apartment and also i am so grateful that i am celebrating my 25years anniversary of my priesthood, so with that happiness i decided to rent my apartment out my myself.

This great apartment i inherited it from my late father and i was directed by GOD to help the people by renting the house at this little cost, the monthly payment is $1000, you will have to pay the security deposit of $700 payment to move in, If you are serious and very sure of taking good care of the apartment let me know soon.

Please fill the below form and get back to me with the requested details so that we can proceed….

RENTAL APPLICATION
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) Our prefer method of payment? Western Union or Money Gram?
10) When do you intend moving in?

I await your urgent responds so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the keys of the house to you. i will be giving you this house 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 God’s hand, so please do not let me down with my property and God bless you more as you do this. here is the address to the house….(492 Massachusetts Ave # 43, Boston, MA 02118)

N:B:please note this that you cant go inside the house because the keys are right here with me but feel free to go view the exterior of the house and upon approval the keys will be send to you

Waiting for your response now.

Best Regards.
Rev. Elvis
24
Anonymous:
April 7th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I fell for it. Thanks for these posts. If I didn’t research Mary first and find your information, I would have wasted more time.
25
Anonymous:
April 12th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Glad I did a background check on this Mary Ford lady before I put any money down. I feel like an idiot for almost falling for it, but thankfully people are out there tracking these things. You guys just saved me a bunch of money.
26
Shuchi:
April 13th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Mary Ford- Boston
Hello,

Thanks for taking the time to look at my property. My name is Mary Ford, I’m 48 years old,I’m a construction engineer and I’m the owner of this condo(2 bedrooms,2 bathrooms,1300 square footage).I lived in this beautiful condo for over 5 years,loved every day of it.It’s located in 101 Broad St, Boston, MA 02110. I’ve moved to United Kingdom with my job (i am a construction engineer) and decided to rent it because the rent is very expensive here.The price is so low because I’m here and is very hard to find a tenant.I can rent you the condo for min. 1 month and max. 6 years(or more).I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it, and I hope that you can send me some personal information about yourself.The rent of the condo for 1 month is $1300 including all utilities(water,electricity, Internet,cable, parking,air conditioning, fireplace, dishwasher, garbage) and I want to receive the money monthly in my bank account.You can move in the condo in the same day when you receive the keys. The only problem is that I`m the only person who has the keys and I have nobody in United States that could show you the condo.In order to check it,see if you like it(I’m sure that you’ll love it),you need to receive the keys and the contract. Obviously we need a way to complete this deal in a safe and fast way for both.The solution is provided by a company called RENTS (www.rents.com) which will handle the payment and delivery of the Keys .A friend of mine moved here from California and used the company to resolve the same problem . This procedure allow you to pay the rent only after you will receive the keys,after you will see it, decide if you will stay in the condo or not( I will receive the payment after you’ll check the condo).If you want to know more about how this deal can work please get back to me ASAP and I will send you the details step by step.

Regards,
27
Shuchi:
April 13th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
She posted something on Craigslist, and we responded…I included her note above…she went as far as sending pictures as well.