Scam Tip Report #11535 - Zillow Rental Scam - 107 benham Ave Bridgeport, CT


Scam ReporterScam Tips Received
Anonymous
Waltham, MA, United States
2013-08-13 15:18:57
Rental Scam
+1 Zillow Rental Scam - 107 benham Ave Bridgeport, CT 
 Scammer
  Information
Name:
(Pastor) Thomas F Mowles
Email Address:
own_homes@yahoo.com via memberemail.com
Telephone:
(404) 913-0641
A rental property listing (low rent!) claimed to be in Atlanta, GA building a Jehovahs Witness hall. My suspicions were raised with a few grammatical errors and reference to sending money before moving in. He also said that the home was listed twice because he had intended to sell but had changed his mind due to agent fees(?). Also, someone we know who is a witness said that they do not sign as \"Pastor\". I sent a few emails probing for information on when we could get in and see it. They asked me to fill out an application (which contained much of the information I had already disclosed though emails.) They also asked for a picture of myself and my family. I was disturbed by this and did not send it. We then decided to just call. It was a google voice account and I left a message. He called back -- bad connection. Thick accent. Sounded African. He answered my question about the utilities by saying washer, dryer, electronics (?!) ... he seemed scripted. He said we can drive by and see the apartment but that he has nobosy trustworthy in the state that can take the keys and show it to us so we needed to send money (half security) to get the keys. I told him that there must be someone from his former Kingdom Hall that could meet with us -- he DID say he was a lifelong resident. He repeated that he did not have anyone trustworthworthy. At this point, I told him that he was a scam and was not going to see any of my money. I only wish I did not fill out the application!!!
Follow Ups/Extra Information. Most recent is listed first.
Well, what should I say. Thank god I am a grown up and not stupid at all. I am a German who just moved to the States. Since I hunt for a house and got warned from different people to be careful because there are a lot of scams, I check on everybody in every way I can! Here we go with a pastor I already found on this site but under a different name. Same game he played with me!

Scam Email
e-mail conversations as followed: 1.Mail of him: Thanks for the interest you have towards my home in 4519 Clark Fork Pl Colorado Springs, CO 80923.Is available for rent now if are you interested kindly get back to me for more details... Stay blessed!! I replied! 2.Mail of him: Hello I can see you are interested in the ad I have posted, I am currently in Atlanta, GA where I work as a volunteer with THE MISSIONARY BLOGS. I am a Elder and my wife has a private practice as an attorney, i am a native of Colorado Springs, CO. I and my wife acquired our house few years ago and have lived happily\' As we are approaching retirement,we have decided as JEHOVAH WITNESSES to spend the rest of our lives in voluntary services.To spread with gospel of Jehovah and reach out to the less privilege.This has given us so much joy and fulfillment.Presently we have been assigned to (Atlanta, GA) to help build the Kingdom Hall and assist in spreading the living word.spent less time in then 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 Atlanta, GA 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 price and it takes longer to sell i am telling you this in case if you find the house on another website, that is the old advert So I need a tenant to take care of it but since I am out of the state now,I have received some proposals regarding the rent because it is located in a very nice area of Colorado Springs, CO but I still have to make sure it is rented out to someone who can take good care of it. It includes facilities such as water and heat laundry facilities,air condition,internet and telephone access and a car park and other necessary facilities,also comes with trash collection,pets are allowed as well as long as they are not destructive So if you know you are capable of the task,get back to me so that I can provide you with some questions that I would want you to answer. Monthly Fee ; $1200 Security Deposit: $700 Pets Allowed: Available :Available Now for move in. House Address:4519 Clark Fork Pl Colorado Springs, CO 80923 Pets Allowed: Available :Available Now for move in. Features: Air Conditioning, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Garage, Washer & Dryer,Yard Thanks pastor Alexander P Francis. I replied again! 3. Mail of him: You are welcome, It is good to hear from you with this detail.Below are some questions that I need you to answer ,so that we can discuss further.You can go check the neighborhood and get back to me for further discussion.It is available for a long lease as I intend buying a new home on getting back to the state. So that we can use that to ship the keys and document to you.Rental price: $1200 per month and security Deposit is $700(Security Deposit is Refundable) Utilities included in monthly rent. Fill out the rental application if you are interested. RENT APPLICATION FORM TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. FIRST NAME:__________? MIDDLE NAME:__________? LAST NAME:__________? SEX:__________? DATE OF BIRTH:_________? PROFESSION:__________? PHONE: (CELL)PHONE__________? (WORK)PHONE__________? (HOME)PHONE__________? WHICH NUMBER IS THE BEST TO CALL YOU ON__________? MARITAL STATUS:__________? 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? ______________? DO YOU AGREE TO PAY THE RENT BEFORE YOU MOVE IN? _____________? IF YOU HAVE A PET, KIND OF PETS: _____________? HABITS DO YOU SMOKE ______________ ? DO YOU DRINK ______________? DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT? ____? DEPOSIT) or (2 months + SECURITY DEPOSIT), so which option do you prefer??? Send me the picture of your family and your pets Available :Available Now for move in. Pets Allowed get back to me so i can know how serious you are, so we can finalize every thing out with the rent application form filled out.I will await reading an email from you soonest for further discussion and arrangements.Here is my contact phone number on which you can be able to texts me or call at (404) 913-0641.. Best Regard, pastor Alexander P Francis. Here I got already sceptical, but I replied without giving a adress with a nice excuse to see what happens. And this is what he replied: Hello, My Husband and I have gone through your application and have found it satisfactory, so we will say at this point “Congratulations\" you are now our tenant and we want you to always pay your Monthly rental fee on time to avoid any form of embarrassment. From your email we know and believe that you are the right person to occupy our house...We are very exited and willing to let you move in our house as soon as possible and i have conclude with my family on accepting payment for the first month rent which is $1200 and a security deposit of $700 which is sum of $1,900 to move in as soon as you are ready.just get back to me with mailing address where The package containing the keys and documentations of the house will be delivered to you through Courier Service,and you have to pay some payment to hold the house if you are not ready to move into the house now.just for us to be convinced that you really want to rent the house and you want us to keep the house for you.you are to decide if you will pay the deposit or the first month rent first,So get back to me to know where we will be sending the keys and the document to and i want you to know that you can only texts me at my cell phone number at any time (404) 913-0641... So once you ready to make the payment below is my information to send the payment, through Money Gram or western union nearest to you. Just go to any Wal Mart or Grocery Store near you with this information and send the payment and i am not too familiar with the area so my secretary will pick up the money for me while i take care of the shipping...So do get back to me with your mailing address where The package containing the keys and documentations of the house will be delivered to you through Courier Service okay. Receiver\'s Name: Andy Harris (Secretary) Address: Receiver Address : 825 Highland Ln NEAPT 1308 Atlanta,GA 30306 As soon as you send the payment from the Via western union, you would be given some information. You would have to get back to me with following information: 1. Full Sender\'s Name And Address Including Zip Code: 2. M.T.C.N NUMBER: As soon as i confirms the payment, I will send the necessary document and keys of the house to you through FEDEX and get back to you with the Tracking number and the arrival time of the document and the keys. Thanks and God bless. NICE TRY GUYS......Not falling for this!

Anonymous   () Added the following extra information on :2013-08-21 16:51:56
 Scammer
  Information
Name:
(pastor) Alexander P Francis
Email Address:
jmdchjd@yahoo.com
Scam Website:

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