I know my readers are waaay too smart to fall for scams, but it baffles me that anyone in this day and age actually does take the bait. I mean, where are these people from? Alaska? Here are some Craig alerts:
$1 SCAM SCAM SCAM
I like this one: “Reads as if Borat was at the keyboard.” How are they causing problems? You actually went along with it? Ignore these people and they’ll go away!
The people claiming that they are Mr. and Mrs. Harper who just moved to England and are renting their place in Brooklyn are not for real. They will send you very very poorly written emails, which read as if Borat was at the keyboard and an image of a Florida drivers license with a picture of a completely ridiculous man who kind of looks like he just crawled out of a mid-80’s pickup. Don’t even bother with these people, everything is phony and they are doing nothing but causing problems for everyone.
Mr & Mrs Watson: Chelsea
Yeah, do not send that payment to Africa! Show me the one person who did. I’ll knock them upside the head.
they will tell you they have this really nice apartment somewhere in nyc that is furnished and maybe even send you pictures, etc. they say they are missionaries but ARE NOT. THEY WANT YOU TO SEND YOUR PAYMENT TO THEM IN AFRICA BUT DO NOT DO IT.
THEY ARE SCAM ARTISTS.
HERE IS THEIR EMAIL:
billjesus1234@gmail.com
and
mrswatson2@gmail.com
$900 Chelsea
Lookit, this guy has a whole organization! He’s a Jew for Jesus. American. Weird, because the posting reads as if it’s a non English speaking writer. Does Herschel the Missionary know that Herschel the Scammer is using his name? You need to send a deposit before you can view the apartment. Yeah, ok. And since it’s 6 hours ahead, you may call any time. So if I called at 9pm my time, that’s ok?
Hello once again i am HERSCHEL ROTHCHILD I own the 1 bedroom apartment on 45 Gramercy Park North New York NY 10010 and i also want you to know that it was due to my transfer that makes me and my family to leave the house and also want to giveit out for rent we are looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of it as if it were his/her own,we are not after the money for the rent but we want it to be clean at all time and the person that will rent it to take it as if it were his/her own,You can check me on my organization website www.therothchilds.org
A). Pay US$900 deposit and have the keys, Rent Application form and insurance shipped to your address as soon as to be able to view and have the rent application, you balance US$1,800 for the remaining month Or.
B). Pay for the shipping of the keys,insurance and the rent application through FedEx Courier Service which is US$180.00,which after 3 month rent will be paid on monthly.
please dial as seen on the screen (0092348030490560) The time zone difference is 6hrs ahead,you can also call any time.
I personally will actually come visiting you at December as our new tenant.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 documents and the keys of the house to you.Since you have indicated interest now, my wife and I have decided to remove the ad from craigslist. Call me now on (009234808030490560) to indicate your 100% interest and seriousness.
NOTE THAT THE KEYS WILL BE SENT TO YOU VIA FEDEX TO YOUR PERSONAL HOME ADDRESS ,YOU AS THE TENANT WILL PAY FOR THE SHIPPING COST OF THE KEY TO YOU.As a man of God please I am giving you all this base on trust and again i will want you to stick to you words.
$475: Room in Brooklyn Castle
Wait…this guy actually HAD an apartment to rent?! Wow. I’m impressed.
This guy stole $1500 and threw me out on the street after 2 weeks in the apartment. Write to me if you want the whole horrible story. Don’t take a chance — as usual on Craigslist — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true. I believe he did the same thing to the woman before me. I’ve reported the listing to abuse@craigslistorg.
Bogus Renters/Bogus Landlords
Who is the scammer here? The bogus renter or the realtor using fear tactics to ensure those commissions keep coming?
Here’s the latest true happening in Westchester: Bogus renters view vacant properties and manage to leave the back door open. They then actually advertise the properties on Craig’s list as brokers, offer access through back door, and attempt to secure first and last month’s rent from unsuspecting potential renters. The police have been notified and all is being investigated. In the meantime, it would be wise to work with a licensed Realtor.
Most customers beleive it is a waste of money, yet establishing a qualified tenant and/or landlord, Realtors ensure that the transactions which involve legal and binding contracts, qualifying tenants/landlords, working with management companies, researching properties & hours of driving with these gas prices is our job. However, the respect for “Real Estate Agent/Broker” is miscontrued in many ways and not recognized as a Professional entity by people, mainly because of the scams that are going on which are allowed because properties and transactions should be handled through a reputable, licensed Realtor.