Phishing Real Estate Message – starting at CL
Posted by Orlick on 4/3/08
I had a run-in with a phishing scam recently, I think people should know about it…
First they had a listing on Craigslist for an apartment in Jackson Heights for $550 (what a steal right??). Well, me being naive, I wasted 10 minutes of my life explaining how I would be a great tenant to “Melanie Becker” of melanie.becker11@gmail.com
Heres the message I received a couple of days later:
“Hello,
Thank you for your interest. I have available the apartment but now I’m in London, United Kingdom with my job , I will stay here for 3 years. So this is the reason that I want to rent the apartment. I can rent you the apt for max 3 years because I have a contract here for this period. I’m the owner of the apt and its like in the pics. The rent for 1 month is $550.00 including all utilities (water,electricity,internet,cable, parking). You can move in the apt in the same day when you receive the keys.I must inform you that the keys from my apartment are with me and hope that we will find a compromise.
Thanks.”
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I knew it was a phishing scam of course because
A) they use no names in the email
B) this person is out of town and of course it will lead to some wiring of some sort
C) unfortunately, $550 in JH is too good to be true ( I hate that phrase )
D) I googled the first line of the email and found another person who got this message, wrote back, and received another message from the phisher
SOOOO, I copied THAT message and wrote it back to the phisher….
—————————-
From: me To: the phisher
“Obviously we need a way to complete this deal that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are after. I have found a way for us to complete the deal safely and fast, and in this way you will receive the Keys in less than 2 days, if you move fast as well. The solution is provided by a company called TNT which is similar to Fedex, DHL orUPS, which will handle the payment and delivery of the Keys.I have found a procedure that will allow you to pay for the rent of the apt only after you will receive the keys it and through this way you will see it and decide if you will stay in the apt or not before I receive my payment.Please click on the link bellow to the TNTwebsite to see how we can complete the deal safely and fast directly from the website of the company where the procedure is explained:http://www.tnt.com/country/en_generic/services/special_services/timecritical.html Let me know if you are interested please because I really need to take care of this matter by the end of the next week.Regards, “
——————————————–
Now, I thought this was a real smart alec thing to do. Maybe the person would find it funny or come clean. I hoped I would get some sort of human response.
I was naive again, Here is the next message:
———————————————-
From: “melanie becker” To: Me
“Like I said, I will pay for a 2 days delivery so you will receive the Keys and the contract signed by me right away.I will explain to you step by step how this will work .
1) First you will have to send me your full name and address. I will need them for the shipping.
2) I go to the TNT store and leave the Keys and the contract onto your name as the intended receiver.
3) TNT will check the envelope to see if everything is OK with it and also the legal papers that will come along with the Keys.
4) TNT will send you a delivery notification to let you know they have the Keys and the papers in their custody, in which you will be told that they have the Keys and that they checked it.
5) At this point you will have to go to a Western Union Agent
Location and make a money deposit on the TNT payment agent name for the amount we agreed .
6) After you make the deposit you will have to send the info about the money deposit to TNT (MTCN, sender’s name and address)
7) TNT will verify the payment informations and if everything is in order they will deliver the Keys and the contract to you .
After you receive the package , You will go and check the apt and in 2 days you must contact them and tell them if you keep the apt or not, if all is in order you will instruct TNT to send me the informations about the money deposit and I will be able to receive the funds . If you don`t like the apt they will send your money back to you and you will send them
the keys and the contract to them.
I will pay TNT for the shipping and you will pay Western Union for the Money Transfer fee .
Let me know if we can do this.
Thank you, “
———————————————-
So this person didnt get the fact that I sent them their own spam message back to them, and just proceeded to send the next in the string of messages to me.
Soooo, what do I do now? I don’t think anyone has gone beyond this point in the scam. I am playing with my favorite email address now, and I don’t want to taint that.
ahh, the person probably doesnt even speak english, there’s no use in dealing with them.
END.
cp said
I am glad that u posted this. SOmething told me to check this out because i received this same email and thought it was fishy. I had gone through a similar experience last year with someone claiming from the uk. They got my name and address next thing you know i hade 6 manilla envelopes filled with cheques linking me to the worlds largest bank and an account that didnt belong to me. Thank you for posting this. I received the exact email from this person exact words to a T. Please spread the word…
Ak said
I also got hooked on the great $550 apt. in Jackson Heights. Thank God I did some research. I found out its a scam. TNT the “service” she/they use is a real postal service but they are not involved. They know that have been used like this for laptops and such. They have this site for information http://www.tnt.com/country/en_generic/about/ournews/internet_fraud.html
and to report scams.
I emailed TNT, the emails I received (exactly they same as Orlick’s) I tried calling 911 they said to call 311. I did. 311 said they couldn’t do anything since it’s based in the UK. And if someone could help me they were not there at that time.
Its good to see that the word is getting out about these thieves.
Funny thing is the real melanie becker is a world famous Physicist according to google.
Ak said
Adding to my last statement… What I thought was odd was :
1. the amazing price for everything,
2. the sudden removal if the listing on craigs list
3. The vague email responses…she/they never answered my questions or suggestions…like a friend who could show me the place, or me doing a 6 month lease for an Increased monthly fee.
4. the sudden parking that was included in email but not the listings.
5. never used names in the emails
Hopefully this helps others out.
be careful there are sneaky rats out there.
Ak said
I do not know if this is ok, but here is the address that she was “renting out” … 3526 76th Street Jackson Heights ny US. Hopefully when people put the address into google this scam comes up. They prob. use other addresses as well.
I didn’t even get ripped of but am upset. I guess I really just hoped it was true.
peace
Orlick said
hey, if anyone has an apt in the 800 dollar range in JH, let me know! I love that hood.
Tiffany said
thanks for thsi posting! i was just dealing with this person! find this really shed some light on the situation! THANK GOD! I GOOGLED her email (thanks for including it by the way) cuz i got you and this posting, and an expired posting from “melanie.” I too was a fool. But thanks for posting this message. I LIVE in NY, so I went to check out the neighborhood AND building, and there is NO 35-26 on 76th street (i’m assuming that’s the address you got). The building does not exist. Only 35-36 which I thought maybe she typed it wrong. But after reading this, I know “she” probably knew it was a non-existant building.
Toy said
i got the SAME exact email from a Aundrey N Carsten.
The deal was:
$1500 / 2br – Marbella, 425 Washington Blvd, Jersey City (NJ 07310)
THe sad part is that I sent my address over in hopes of some keys but no money. SO what do you guys think will happen?
Aaron McCartney said
Thank you so much for posting this. I was just looking at a similar one in Seattle and have been in a rough spot with my current roommate and was about to actually fall for it.
Jeff Abrahams said
thanks a lot man…
my father’s co-worker’s daughter got one for an apartment in boston for $1,500 and luckily was suspicious and word got to my dad…
after finding another post on craigslist with a NYC apartment for $1300 with the same template (while i didn’t notice all of the flaws you picked up on, i managed to see some of the glaring grammer and capitalization errors, frequently found in those pharmacy spam emails everyone gets…)
AND FINALLY i found your post which assured me it was fake…
so thank you on behalf of that woman because she was actually about to buy
you saved someone $1,500!
thanks!
—Jeff
Nina said
Hi all,
I just received two similar emails on my apartment search in Amsterdam (Netherlands) by “Pastor Bryon Ross” and “Gerald Sanders”. Both used a “I am a pastor who was transfered to West Africa” cover story. When I read the first one, I already thought it was a bit fishy and then I got the second one – for a different kind of apartment, from a different person, but at the same address…
In both emails, I was asked to provide all kinds of contact details. However, the first email asked me to call a phone number (002348089706162), which I googled. It shows up as a removed (flagged) posting on craigslist for yet another apartment (in South Bay). In the second email, I was asked to immediately post the deposit via Western Union Money Transfer.
Bummer. It did sound too good to be true…
Nina
metoo said
There is another one from Anja James who is looking to rent a room and works for humanitarian efforts. The address is a South Dakota address. It was a response to my Craig’s list posting.
Jnana Pierce said
Thank God for being able to “Google” people. I just knew that the email I received back about a house in San Rafael was a scam after the craigslist posting disappeared the same day. I had already emailed on the rental, and here is what I received:
My name is Pastor Bryon Ross own the home and its located @ 2518 Las Gallinas Ave San Rafael, CA 94903 .and also want you to know that it was due to my transfer that makes me my wife and Son 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, our new house and put all my worries off concerning the maintenance of the apartment for, since i am not residing there for now.I left behind some Facilities and electonics which include the rent, and a DVD player, air conditioning, alarm system. The kitchen is fully equipped with all necessary cooking utensils, arefrigerator-freezer, four-hob and oven, microwave,dishwasher and washing machine, My Computer Connected with Internet Acess Also the keys to the House are right here with me, and the lease document. Which i can send to you after all necessary agreement has be accepted. Also i will like you to know that the rent charges is not really the issue ,but your absolute maintenance of my apartment is most important thing so will want you to get back to me with the Application form below
RENT APPLICATION FORM
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)When do you want to move in
10How long do you want to stay in my apartment
11 Pictures of all the Occupant that will stay in my apartment
12 Reason for moving out of current home
One Mr Brasson called me about the apartment,I told him that I can’t give him the apartment because he loves smoking,drinking and dont want him to get drunked and damaged my property one day so If you are still interested, Note that the rent is going to be $1,150.00 Per month No extra fees.I will like you to give me a call on this effect to know how serious you are.below is my phone number
2348024769411 or 070-2730-6045
I personally will actually come visiting you sometimes during the year as my 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 document and the keys of the house to you. The address of the house is 2518 Las Gallinas Ave San Rafael, CA 94903
Kitchen is fully equipped.
Thanks
VERY fishy!! Thank you to everyone who posted here to help me verify this false advertisement. I just wish/hope that something can be or is being done to stop these fraudulent scam artists.
Jnana
Isotta said
Hi everybody!! Thank God I found you and your posts!! My situation was even worse, as I am currently in Italy, looking for a place to stay in London. I thought I had found the deal of my life with Pastor Bryon Ross who suddenly had to move to West Africa with his wife and son!! All of this happened between yesterday and today, he’s actually replying to me as we ‘ speak ‘ …I am such in a rush to find a place to stay that I was even willing to pay six months in advance to have that property!!! I decided to google his name and all of this came up!!! I can’t believe I was so stupid that I spent 30 mins explaining how good a tennant I was!!
The e-mail I received was identical to the one quoted above…very bad English grammar as well!!! This is crazy, I am so disappointed and mad I don’t even know what to reply to this idiot…any suggestion????
Many many thanks to all of you.
Margo Lijadu said
I also was taken by this scam and sent him a photo,names and phones for my application process I received the same bogus letter about him being transfer to Ikeja Nigeria with his wife and son and having the keys with him.
Why would anyone keep the keys with that is what agents are for. Moreover, why would anyone send money without first viewing the house. No one does that in America.
Beware of this. It is a big SCAM!!!
Here’s the response I got from this pastor after I sent him my name,address,and phone number. I feel like such a fool for doing this.
Pastor Byron Ross or Ross Pastor Byron.
Pastor Bryon Ross
to me
show details 9:29 AM (9 hours ago)
Reply
Thanks for getting back to me asap, I am really happy to got back to me and I would say I am you are “GOD SENT” because you are the kind of tenant I have been looking for a responsible tenant who understands what it takes to rent ones home with great refrences that you have provided you have been accepted and approved to rent my home .I am ready to rent my home to you as soon as possible also you are to make the payment deposit of one month Today So i would send my client to come and meet you.
I am renting my home for more than five years but it is okay if you are not renting up to five years I have approved your application for rent okay and I am ready to rent my home to you ASAP .
Note:The reason why am doing these is that I dont have any money that am going to use to send my client to come and meet you .The Money you will be sending am going to use part of it to pay for Richard flight fees and last month I gave my keys to an Agent in the states that when ever any tenants want to view the inside of the home the tenants should contact him and take the person to my home and a Lady contacted me last month that she is ready to rent my home so I directed the lady to go and meet my Agent over there so the lady said he couldn’t meet him there so I decided to send him an email and he didn’t respond and also tried calling him and his phone was not going through I have to send a Partner that I met here to go over I gave him the Address of my home and when he went there he told me my home was left open and when I got to my home the next 2 days I found out my home was left open and some Valuable thing has been taken there so I have to use all the Money I had to replace them all so thats why am demanding for a 1 month fees because i dont have any Trust worthy person that I could leave my keys with so if you could give me a trust and send me a 1 month fees so I could use part of the money to pay for my client flight fees .
There are some couples that drove by my home and love it so much and are willing to pay me a 2 month Upfront because they fell in love with my home but I told them you contacted me first so I am renting my home to you .
I can see you are really commited to this rental offer of mine so I am also ready to rent my home to you…all we both need in this rentage transaction is sincerity, trust and honesty I am now in West Africa Nigeria and I do not have any one in the USA to show you the home the house keys and documents are here with me in West Africa Nigeria and you would need the keys to take a look at the interior of the home but that can not be possible because all the house doors is locked up, So for you to move in you would have to send the one month deposit payment which is refundable and as soon as you have sent the deposit I would send My Agent here in West Africa would leave with the next available flight here in Nigeria to USA to show you the home he his going to come along with a Usa Certified Cashier Check because after showing you the interior and the location of the home and you like the home and the location suits then we would proceed with that Rentage procedure and if you are not okay with the location and interior of the home your deposit payment would be cashed out form the nearest Cashing Store and your deposit would be refunded to you…But I am really sure the location of the home would suit you and you would also love the interior so I would want you to get back to me and also instruct me if you are okay with my conditions.
The payment method you are using to send payment is *WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER * you are sending payment to my personal secretary here in West Africa Nigeria , its is the only payment method accepted to enable you move in you would have to send the payment deposit below is the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER PAYMENT INFORMATIONS you are going to be sending the payment deposit via western union money transfer all you need to send the payment is go to the nearest Westen Union Money Transfer Local Or Grocery Store near you and make payment to the informations below you would have to write down this informations and take it to the nearest western union local store fill the western union payment form and make payment to the informations below .
CLIENT WESTERN UNION DETAILS AND INSTRUCTIONS
Receiver’s Name : David Halls
Address : 101 Missionary Road
City : Ikeja
State : Lagos State
Zip Code : 23401
Amount Sending : $1500.00
Text Question : In Everything You Do Just
Text Answer : Have Faith
So as soon as you have sent the payment you would be given a payment confirmation receipt which includes the payment informations needed by my secretary to pick up payment you would have to scan and attach the western union confirmation payment receipt to this message and if you are not able to scan the receipt get back with the payment details below .
Full Senders Name
Mtcn #
Amount Sent
Text Question
Text Answer
Thanks & God Blessrosspastorbryon@yahoo.com
Hugh McLean said
I live in Canberra, Australia. I’ve been desperately trying to find a new place and came across a fantastic ad in my hometown online site called Gumtree. It’s a small-time website and I would never have expected this.
Today I received an email almost word for word copy of the one posted above by Jnana. The house details were for a place here in Canberra of course. I made the mistake of replying (recalled) before stopping to think it sounded too good to be true and Googling the name. Pastor Bryon Ross – the title alone is enough to disarm you just enough. When I hear stories on the News about people falling for phishing scams I always thought, ‘how could they be so gullible’, but now I see how crafty these thieves can be.
Thanks to everyone who posted. This knowledge was very helpful to me and saved me $$ as well as a bit of embarrassment.
Hugh
Mukesh said
yeah…it’s so sad. The apt I got was so cheap…that I was pretty excited about.
anyways, I accused them of trying to Phish. Here’s the first reply I got
“Why you acusse me for scam?….let’s hear…how do you wish to go forward with this transaction?”
Walter said
Hi, everybody
It happenned exactly the same scam to me. Fortunately, I checked it before doing the payment with TNT. I am spanish, living in Madrid, the apartment was in Gobernador St and the phisher name used was Helena Fernandez. It seems it is a world wide scam! I am still in contact with her to get enough information to denounce her to the police.
Cheers from Madrid