In our search for apartments, Jay and I have scoured the likes of Kijiji, Craigslist, and aggregates such as PadMapper. So far, three of the places to which we’ve enquired have turned out to be scams.
The story is always the same. The person is now out of the country, and has the only set of keys with them. As such you can view the outside of the apartment, not the inside. They’ll arrange to ship you the keys though, I assume in exchange for a large fee. Jay is busy playing with one of the scammers.
My initial email:
Hi there,
I saw your ad on Craigslist for the one bedroom condo on George street. We’re a young professional couple looking for a new home in downtown Ottawa, and we’re very much interested in your condo. When would it be available? Could we arrange a viewing?
Thank you,
Julien McArdle
The reply:
Hello Julien,
I got your mail in regards to my apartment for rent and thanks for your interest/inquiry in renting my apartment. Firstly, I want you to know that I’m not given my apartment for rent just because of money reason alone but due to my transfer of work to west Africa. I’m an X-RAY WELDER UNDER SHIP BUILDING, I have been working with nasco ship building here in the country, but have just been transferred to Niger dock Nigeria PLC. I left country with hope that I will be coming back in a month’s time but right now the company have asked me to stay for 2yrs under contract with them, that’s why I have made up my mind to put up my apartment for rent, but I will like you to keep the apartment for me well okay just like yours, okay. I want to let you know that the apartment is available for rent anytime, you can easily go there and check it, but the issue is that you will not be able to check inside of the apartment, so through the address you will provide for me which I will use to send you the keys and the documents to you through DHL COURIER SERVICE and It will be home delivery. I appreciate your expression and the apartment include cable /internet access, furnished, Central Air Conditioning, Laundry, Garbage Chute, Pets OK, cleaning service, dry cleaning,Heating, Electricity,etc and everything is already been furnished. And here is the application form below that you must answer to qualify for the rent of my apartment and I want you to know that I’m giving this apartment for rent base on trust and due to the way I read your reply to my apartment, hope you have a nice working day, in fact I will like to meet you when coming to visit you soonest. Also, Please let me get this answer and you can call me on my cell +2347053085884 OR 0112347053085884
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)How long Do you intend to stay?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 and pets is allowed. Awaiting your reply so that we can discuss on how to get the documents and the keys to you, please we are giving you all this base on trust.
I will be waiting to read back from you as soon as possible.
Thanks and God Bless you.
Regards,
Wilfred
Another of the response was by an alleged woman in Manchester, and another yet in Cambridge, England. I responded to “Wilfred”, feigning interest. I’m curious to see if he’ll respond back.
Comments
7 responses to “Online Apartment Listings Scam”
Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!
1) Your Full Name: Byron Mulrooney
2) Your Full Address & Phone Number: 120 Metcalfe Street, c/o Ottawa Public Library. No phone.
3) How old are you? It’s rude to ask people how old they are…especially the ladies! Just kidding…I’m 24.
4) Are you married? Why, are you offering? Hahahaha…nope, no need for a ball and chain. Why buy the cow if you get the milk for free? You know what I mean?
5) How many people will be living in the house? Define “living”. I guess it’ll be me and my crew that end up crashing most nights, but who knows, especially with the parties that we throw.
6) Do you have a pet? Nope. Damned government took away my rotties 🙁
7) Do you have a car? Technically yes, but because of a few DUIs I can’t drive it.
8) Occupation? Not really. I sell a lil’ cheeba on the side.
9) How long Do you intend to stay? Depends on if the jury convicts. Could be a long time, could be like 6 weeks.
You’ll be happy to know that I appended the above to my reply. Will let you know if he responds! 😀
I nay have giggled like a schoolgirl when I read your reply.
For the record he’s still giggling and reading his answers aloud to himself.
Haha, awesome. For the record – no bite yet. I think he caught on :p
He’s got a post out right now under the name “Peter Brown” and email “givinggloriestojesus@yahoo.com”
I don’t know what his idea of glory is, but I’m pretty sure he’s got it wrong.
I have just answered an ad just with te exact wording as mentioned above …….THe apartment is in dundas…………and at first i told he was going to send me the keys , but then he asked me to make a payment, in my investigation, i found the exact apartmet listed with an agent. with identical pictures of the listing i found of craiglist.