And scams in general, ok the Internet as a whole!

Be careful, if it's too good to be true it more than likely is. If it's fishy question it.

Our company has a house listed for sale that recently got posted on craigslist for rent by another party. They took our photos, some of our description and even made up a email address with the listing agents name in it. They put it up on craigslist for $800 a month utilities included (for a new 3 bd, 2 ba, plus garage). Well this sounds like a great deal right? A bunch of people drove by and saw our sign, others looked on the Internet (the guy left our mls #  on there), so this gave people a local person to contact. We assured them it was not for rent and to end communications. I was then able to reach someone at craigslist to take the listing off. So be careful! It's absolutely disgusting what people do.

(Note, if you think you have been scammed, contact the police and check the craigslist website for links on what to do)

PLEASE COMMENT ON ANY TIPS YOU MAY HAVE ON HOW TO CATCH THESE PEOPLE OR WHO TO TURN THEM INTO

To see what they would do, I created a fake email address and responded to the email address. I googled some of the info and found the same letter was scammed in other cities. I will post what they sent in attempts to help educate people to be careful. It must work otherwise why would they keep trying?

I wrote them wanting info, the returned thisBY THE WAY THE HOME DIDN'T HAVE A/C AND SOME OTHER THINGS.

THEY WROTE:

Thanks for your email and interest in renting my house..I am  (they put agents name, not the owner),the owner of the house you are making enquiry of....Actually I resided in the house with my family, my wife and my only daughter before and presently we have moved out due to my transfer from my work now in Warsaw,Poland. Presently my house is still available for rent for $800 USD (rent already includes utilities).Moreso Now, i'm currently in Lagos,Nigeria for an international Christian follower's crusade.Pls i want you to note that,i am a kind, honest and trustworthy man and also i spent a lot on my property that i want to give to you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and want you to treat it as your own, It is not the money that is the main problem but i want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat when i come for a check up.I also want you to let me have trust in you as i always stand on my word. This is the address of the House: ( The Property Address)..
It has a Lovely home in a nice  neighbourhood.  is known for excellent schools. Conveniently located with nearby shopping centers, hospitals, free ways and public transportation. This is a must see. Amenities W/D Hookups Central Heat & A/C Granite Tiled Fireplace Ceiling Fans Vaulted Ceilings Cable Available Broadband Available
Custom Drapes in Living Room, Dining Room, & Master Bedroom Blinds
SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE
RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW
RENT APPLICATION FORM..
FIRST NAME:__________?
MIDDLE NAME:__________?
LAST NAME:__________?
PROFESSION:__________?
PHONE:
(CELL)PHONE__________?
(WORK)PHONE__________?
(HOME)PHONE__________?
KIDS_____ (YES/NO), HOW MANY________
PRESENT ADDRESS:_____________________
CITY:_______________
STATE:______________
ZIP CODE:____________
HOW LONG?___________IF RENTING
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING__________?
IF THIS HOUSE IS BEING GIVEN TO YOU,
HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING?____________?
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN?______________?
IF YOU HAVE A PET,
NAME OF PET:_____________?
KIND OF PETS:_____________?
HABITS
DO YOU SMOKE______________ ?
DO YOU DRINK______________?
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT?____?
Looking forward to hearing from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file incase 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 to you,please we are giving you all this based on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words,you know that we have not seen yet and only putting everything into Gods hands,so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this......
The house is available for rent at the moment so you are free to move in as soon as you wish to...A Deposit of $500 (which happens to be the first months rent) is required before moving in....Feel free to call me for more information and arrangements on how to get the keys and other necessary documents delivered to you...my number is (+2347090308576) or ( +2347086833259)The house will be available for rent for a period of 4 years so you have a choice of deciding how long you intend staying there..
 
Thanks And God Bless You..

END EMAIL

I filled out a fake application and got this:

THEY WROTE:

Thanks for getting back to me with the Rent Application Form. I just wanted to let you know that we have  decided to let you live in our house.. As we have found your application very satisfactory and acceptable by my family.  So we would want you to go through this email and get back to us on what you feel so we could proceed in renting the house to you.We would like to send the following documents and keys to you via FedEx to the address you sent to us and the tracking number will be sent to you so that you can possibly occupy our house, Please once again, we are giving you this on trust and do not dissapoint us and i promise you that, you will love the house  so we are with the below document and keys here with us.. You will need to make Payment for the first ($800) to enable shippment of the Keys and document to the address you  have to provide to us, afterwhich you could move in at your convenience. The rent starts counting when you move in, so you could go ahead with the payment straight away to make things faster..Here are the contents of the document that needs to be sent.after the deposit of ($500) i will have to send you the laese agrrement form so that you can sign for prove and send back to me asap.
 
1) Entrance and the rooms Keys
2) Paper/Permanent house form
3) The house documetary file.
4) Full Description of the house
5) Payment Receipt
 
All i need now is for you to make the deposit of ($500) so that the keys and documents can be send to the address you send to me in your rent applications form, so get back to me asap.so next time you will be getting back to is on how you will be making the payment via western union
i will be looking forward to your reply.
 
Thanks And God Bless You.

END EMAIL

Well, how do I get the money to you?

THEY WROTE:

Thanks And God Bless You

END EMAIL

So, Be careful!

Hopefully they catch up to these people and they will get what's coming!