Scam Tip Report #1252 - Home rental scam on craigs list


Scam ReporterScam Tips Received
Anonymous
Warren, MI, United States
2011-12-25 15:58:53
Nigerian/419 Scam
1
+1 Home rental scam on craigs list 
 Scammer
  Information
Name:
Mr. Joseph Miller
Email Address:
hsgs_m@yahoo.com
Scam Website:
I am new to the Michigan area. We are currently looking for a home to rent. While on Craigslist, we found our dream home. Best one we had seen on the site. It was listed as a rental for 1000 a month. I sent a message to the add asking for information. Below is the email tha was sent to me (shocking crazy)
Thanks for your email.. The house is still available. I decided to
rent the house because we are going to spend more time here in Abuja, about 4 years.. Let me start by introducing myself.
I must confess that I am very new in this landlord business..
However, My name is Joseph D Miller. I and my wife own the house
located at (34142 Pine Hill Drive, Clinton Township MI 48035).Due to my job as a civil engineer, I works for a German company called JULIUS BERGER CONSTRUCTION CO., and now i have been transfer to West Africa to work in a branch in West Africa.I spent less time in the States so I could not get a hold on any Realtor to handle this rent issue, although it was when I knew how long we are going to stay in Africa that I decided to rent out the house. However,the initial plan was to sale out the House. which I tried, but sometimes the agents inflates the prize and it takes longer to sell.The house include the utilities like Heat, A/C in wall/window, Hydro, cable, Garbage Disposal, Fireplace , Fridge, stove, Dishwasher, Dryer, Breakfast Bar, Dining Table and Sofa Set,Refrigerator,Canopied deck overlooking nature.,internet access e.t.c. because of this reason and more we need a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money , but want it to be clean and for you to take it as if it were yours. I hope you will promise me to take very good care of my home, also i will be come once in 4 months for visit to see how you are taking care of the home, and if any thing need to be repair in the home, i can fix it back!
Information about the house below:
The rent is: $1000 Security Deposit: $700
I then replied back with some of the information that he requested, except for personal DL, SS# and such. I started to feel a little strange about this deal (mom always said if its too good to be true then its not good). So we went over to the address and saw a relator sign in the yard, with the lights on and christmas items in the yard. I called him at that point and asked again what is going on and is the home empty. He said yes and that the rent included the electric and such. I have at this point realized that for sure this is a scam. I contacted the relator that has the sign in the yard and plan on seeing the police that I work for about this problem. I am fortunate that i didn\'t send the money to anyone.
Follow Ups/Extra Information. Most recent is listed first.
I also sent an email regarding this home. He replied with basically the same email except he said he was in Poland and being transferred to Africa and his wife advised against selling the house. I knew it sounded fishy and this isn't the first time I've had something like this happen to me. I have had it happen with a couple of houses and a few motorcycles. Be very leary about people trying to conduct business over seas or even out of the state you are in. Never send anyone money via mail or western union. If you can't meet with the person face to face, walk away no matter how good it sounds and how tempted you are becuase it's usually a scam. As the saying goes...if it's too good to be true, it probably isn't true. Oh and by the way the house in question at 34142 Pine Hill Drive Clinton Twp MI is listed for sale and does not in any way belong to this Joseph D Miller.

Anonymous   () Added the following extra information on :2012-01-11 13:33:17
 Scammer
  Information
Name:
Serena Krotkiewicz
Email Address:
serenak1031@gmail.com
Scam Website:

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