Who doesn't want "Free Money"? That's right. And yes, it's something that's extremely popular and a vast percentage of the population have already "invested" into it. I call it something else. We are talking about scams. Are the scammers getting better or are we?
Between investments, banking, stocks, or your local "homeless" man... these scammers are everywhere! It's important to be equipped with discernment and knowledge about whatever you're "investing" into.
I have been in the process of moving across country for a LONG time now. Apart of moving is finding a new place. I figured searching on the net and coming up with a lot of condos/apartments to look at before I flew to Los Angeles would be my best bet with finding something.
I started with reputable places online like Apartments.com or Forrent.com. I collected a few places and then moved along to the "forbidden" Craigslist to scope out some "better deals". Sometimes you can find good prices because people leave before their lease is up or someone bought a condo and wants to rent it out. I found a couple worthy places and sent out emails. Wow. At least 4 people that wrote back were scammers. I love to mess with these people.
*Laugher*
First ....the funny thing was the non-working telephone number that he gave me.
Rule #1 : Always check the info they send you! Google their names, numbers, addresses, EVERYTHING!
Rule #2 : Take a close look at the grammar and location where they "say" they are from. Usually it's a "Sorry i'm in London or Africa and can't receive calls or show you the place because its occupied, i'm on vacation, send me the money and i'll send you the keys. Sounds stupid but people fall for this ALL THE TIME! Don't be a victim!
Rule #3 : Western Union? RUN! Prospective places will meet with you in an office and have lots of references and might be with the Better Business Bureau. Plus... they will show you the place, not send just pics and an address.
Sad thing is some of these scammers are so advanced that they have stolen the identity of someone else and are "living" their life. Use your better judgement. Be wise. If something sounds too good to be true... IT IS! Don't send your $ to a foreign country much less to someone you don't know or aren't connected to through a mutual friend.
Here is an email from one scammer:
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Hello Christina,
Attached in this email is the lease agreement and reservation form.
You will be making reservation payments to my property account officer-Mr.Craig Greene via WESTERN UNION with the following information:
Name: Mr Craig Greene
You will be making reservation payments to my property account officer-Mr.Craig Greene via WESTERN UNION with the following information:
Name: Mr Craig Greene
Address: New York, NY 10016.
And provide the transfer details in the reservation form you will be faxing in. My fax number is +1 (800) 915-6124
.
Keys to the unit will be available for pick up with my doorman on presentation of the reservation receipt I will be sending to you after payment is confirmed.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Look forward to a pleasant landlord/Tenant relationship with you.
Kindest Regards
Roberts Greer
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Kind of weird huh? Let's see... Western Union? Doesn't give an exact address. A 800 fax number. Never get to see the unit. Keys available by a doorman? Stupid. They never do that. The names are two different names.... one is Craig Green while the other is Roberts Greer. Short and simple. No working phone number off the ad. I think this is enough said.
Here is one more case for you to laugh at that I was sent and played with their minds a little bit too:
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PART 1
Hello,
Thanks for taking the time to look at my property.My name is Jennifer Aston,I'm 38 years old, I'm the owner of this condo(2 bedrooms,2 bathrooms,1100 square footage).I lived in this beautiful condo for over 2 years, loved every day of it.It's located in 10590 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90024.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 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 for whole the condo for 1 month is $1,000.00 including all utilities(water,electricity, internet, cable, parking , air conditioning, fireplace, dishwasher, garbage) and the security deposit is $1,000.00 (you'll get the deposit back at your departure-or you can use it to pay your last month of rent) 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.
If you want to rent the condo, please e-mail me back and I will explain you how the payment and shipping will take place!
If you want to rent the condo, please e-mail me back and I will explain you how the payment and shipping will take place!
PART 2
Thank you for your reply.
Before going further with anything I must tell you that for payments I will use the eBay Company, they will secure the transaction of payments. I will open a CASE ID# at eBay Company for this transaction and I will give them your full name, shipping info, phone# and indicate you as my tenant. After that, they will contact you with the payment details, and they will ask you to send them a refundable deposit, $2,000.00 in 24 hours(the money will be for the first month of rent + the security deposit). After they receive your deposit, they will notify me immediately to start the shipping of the keys and the contract. You will receive a tracking number in max 12 hours after they receive your deposit. The keys will reach to you in 3-4 days. After you'll receive the keys and the contract, the 14 days of inspection period will start( you'll have 14 days to see the condo, read the contract,
decide if you keep the condo or not.After the inspection you will contact them and tell your decision: TAKE THE CONDO or NOT TAKE THE CONDO! In case you'll take it you'll have to send them a copy of the contract signed by you and they will release the money to me, if not you'll have to send them the contract unsigned and they will refund your money($2,000.00), the contract and the keys will be shipped back at my expenses! I will pay the shipping and you'll have to pay the money transfer fee for the refundable deposit.
Once again:
1. If you have the money $2,000.00 and if you want to rent it send me your full name, your shipping address and your phone#
2. I will open a CASE ID# at eBay Company for this transaction , and I will give them your info, and indicate you as my tenant.
3. After that, they will contact you with the payment details(you'll have to send them $2,000.00 via money transfer in the next 24 hours-you'll need cash)
4. After they receive your deposit, they will notify me immediately to start the shipping, and you will receive a tracking number in max 12 hours after they receive your deposit.
5.From the moment you receive the keys the 14 days inspection period will start.I will make the transaction only in this way so if you have the money and if you want to rent my condo send me your full name, your shipping address, your phone# and I'll start the procedure.
Before going further with anything I must tell you that for payments I will use the eBay Company, they will secure the transaction of payments. I will open a CASE ID# at eBay Company for this transaction and I will give them your full name, shipping info, phone# and indicate you as my tenant. After that, they will contact you with the payment details, and they will ask you to send them a refundable deposit, $2,000.00 in 24 hours(the money will be for the first month of rent + the security deposit). After they receive your deposit, they will notify me immediately to start the shipping of the keys and the contract. You will receive a tracking number in max 12 hours after they receive your deposit. The keys will reach to you in 3-4 days. After you'll receive the keys and the contract, the 14 days of inspection period will start( you'll have 14 days to see the condo, read the contract,
decide if you keep the condo or not.After the inspection you will contact them and tell your decision: TAKE THE CONDO or NOT TAKE THE CONDO! In case you'll take it you'll have to send them a copy of the contract signed by you and they will release the money to me, if not you'll have to send them the contract unsigned and they will refund your money($2,000.00), the contract and the keys will be shipped back at my expenses! I will pay the shipping and you'll have to pay the money transfer fee for the refundable deposit.
Once again:
1. If you have the money $2,000.00 and if you want to rent it send me your full name, your shipping address and your phone#
2. I will open a CASE ID# at eBay Company for this transaction , and I will give them your info, and indicate you as my tenant.
3. After that, they will contact you with the payment details(you'll have to send them $2,000.00 via money transfer in the next 24 hours-you'll need cash)
4. After they receive your deposit, they will notify me immediately to start the shipping, and you will receive a tracking number in max 12 hours after they receive your deposit.
5.From the moment you receive the keys the 14 days inspection period will start.I will make the transaction only in this way so if you have the money and if you want to rent my condo send me your full name, your shipping address, your phone# and I'll start the procedure.
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I know this deal sounds so good you don't want it to be a scam. But, yes it is along with millions of others out there.
First she says she can rent it 1 month to 6 years?! Wow...where can you find a deal like that? Then it goes on about how she is out of the country. She doesn't have anyone to show the unit. She needs to use a way to get the money and she would ship the keys....
*Laughter*
I hope this helps someone out there who may be giving into one of these scams.
Be smart and wise like I said. Don't give away "Free Money".
The good news is I probably pissed a few of these scammers off... i love it.
Also that I did make it to Los Angeles and found a very cool REAL place.
Now it's time to start living my dream. Stay tuned.
