I want you to note that i am a kind and honest man...

LIAR!!!

Why would people be so evil and manipulative?? Well...here begins the story of my search for an apartment in NYC. And I have a feeling that this may become a very stressful and drawn out process. The good thing is ...we don't NEED a new place. Just trying to save some money on rent and compared to where we currently are...its possible if we're I'm willing to travel a little to get to work. But I'm down for the cause/sacrafice and I begin my search with my boy CRAIG. I bought something through him before (twice). I'm always a little weary but the two things I've purchased before have been legit. This time, however was different.

Day 1: Search CRAIGSLIST for 1bedroom Apartments in Brooklyn and Manhattan with MAX rent at 1000.

Day 2: Several responses....one that flows as such:

$700 / 2br - Midtown New York City apartment with 2 bedrooms

Hello,

Thanks for the mail, this is a furnish Apartment, I intend renting it out because I am currently in West Africa where I work as a volunteer with the GO WEST AFRICA ORGANISATION,here is the site for more detail about why I am here in Africa.(http://www.gowestafrica.org). so needs 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 good area of New York City, NY,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 hydro 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.

RED FLAGS pop up! (in my head, not computer). I see another email that seemed to glow with the title...I begin to daydream as I read it:

$1000 / 1br - Beautiful 1 bedroom apartment for rent 315 East 46th Street ( New York NY 10017)

Wow! That really sounds too good to be true! An apartment in one of the most expensive areas to live at in NY and its going for 1000??? My mother always told me: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

None the less, I opened the email and here is what I find:

Thanks for your interest on the apartment. The apartment is still up for rent.My name is Mark Miles .i own the 1 BD apartment,I am looking for a responsible person with good credit that will be able to take good care of the apartment.The apartment is located at:315 East 46th Street, New York NY 10017

I want you to note that I am a kind and honest man and also I spent a lot on my property that I want to give you for rent, so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of the apartment and I would want you to treat it as if it is your own. Due to my job as a Sumarine Engineer 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 United Kingdom that I decided to rent out the apartment.

However, the initial plan was to sale out the apt.which I tried, but sometimes the agents inflates the price and it takes longer to sell. I also want you to let me have trust in you as I always stand on my word. I’m giving out the property with such a reasonable amount $1000/ month and the security deposit is $500,utilities included because I am only paying God back for his kindness and mercy over me and my family with what I have, that`s why I asked for such a reasonable amount.It's also a pride for me to work for him as a missioner.

I will like you to drive by to the building at your convenient time to view the exterior of the building for you to know where the apartment is located,though you can’t view the interior because we have the keys here and also the apartment security is tight,if you are found roaming about the apartment you might be embarrassed by the securities,so you can just walk or drive by for now,then when we send you the keys and document you can now view the interior and move in.I hope you understand,get back to me with your final decision or Call me now on this number +44-703-193-9703/+44-702-402-2273 to know how serious you are.



1) Your Full Name:
2) Your Full Address and Phone Number:
3) Gender and Age:
4) Marital status:A little about yourself

Your full information will be used to process all documents that will be coming together with the keys leading to the house and this will come to you through Fed Ex courier service,which will take three days for it to be delivered to you.

NOTE:YOU AS THE ASPIRING TENANT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SHIPPING COST OF THE KEYS AND DOCUMENTATION TO YOUR PERSONAL HOME ADDRESS.
I know you would want to see the apartment before making any kind of rental payment ,which is understandable.We can make arrangement for the keys and documentation including an Authorization letter to be shipped to you, this will give you the opportunity to view the apartment.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards and God bless
Mark

Now, in case you haven't figured it out by now...this is a total scam. But the worst part about it there are countless people who fall for this every single day.


RED FLAG # 1

The guy is out of the country. I wouldn't mess with a guy out of my local area. From CRAIGSLIST: "DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist."


RED FLAG # 2


The guy says he's a "Sumarine Engineer". How do you spell critical words like these wrong? Many misspellings in an email is a key sign.


RED FLAG # 3

You have to take it sight unseen - and send a security deposit. Self-explanatory.


RED FLAG # 4

Certain words and sentences are identical in other emails. Try googling, "I want you to note that I am a kind and honest man and also I spent a lot on my property" This sentence was found exactly as is in another email from NIGERIA!!! Yea...that's a give away...everyone knows about the Nigerian Fraud floating around.


RED FLAG # 5

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!


There are several other things to watch out for...I would google something about scams and whatever unprofessional purchase you are trying to make so that you don't get ripped off. It's such a shame that there are so many of these listings too...Craigslist is full of them. Full of liars...

2:10 "In their hearts is disease, and so God lets their disease increase; and grievous suffering awaits them because of their persistent lying."