rantlust

Comments

1. Nic
   September 21st, 2007 |

   HA! I dealt with this guy and he tried to pull the EXACT same thing with me! As the saying goes: “if it sounds too good to be true, it’s because it is”.

2. meerkat
   September 21st, 2007 |

   I wish there was some way to get back at him/her.

3. wearethestones
   September 21st, 2007 |

   Looks like a few more people got affected.
   http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/galenhalla/profile

4. Steve W
   September 23rd, 2007 |

   My Wife and I just got scammed, same idea only it was for a boat. Lost $8000.00
   Wish We Knew Better..

   Anyway of tracking these guy’s. He sent me Ebay Emails and stuff. His E-mail address was a Hotmail one.

   Police are investingation now.. Any serious input would be greatly appreciated.

   Thanks

5. Ramon and Kim
   September 30th, 2007 |

   Happened to us just this week.

6. Kristen
   October 1st, 2007 |

   I just dealt with thw same guy too… here are his emails:

   Hi,
   The apartment is available now, flexible lease, i am the owner, not a share, fully furnished, 1300 sqft,I can rent it unfurnished too, same price if unfurnished, parking, all the utilities are included ( water, garbage, electricity, heat..etc). Pets are allowed. I am renting the whole apartment for $2,235 per month. I am asking for 1 month rent payment plus $1000 as security deposit, this is a total of $3,235. If my terms are ok with you please reply back, if you have questions please free to ask. Here is the description of the apartment and pictures: http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/nylpaul

   Thanks,
   Brian
   Ps. The place address is : BRIAN HOWARD 270 W 17TH ST #5D, NEW YORK, NY 10011.

   Hi again,

   Just a few more info. Equal size-2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, washer/dryer in unit, A/C, dishwasher, parking–2 spots included in the rent, safe neighborhood, nice neighbors, very quiet, no noise, building has maintenance. The lenght of the lease is flexible-long/short term. I have to tell you that i am in Athens, Greece, i am here with a 5 years job contract, i come to New York every 6 months for 3 or 4 days to see how things are going with the apartment and if you rent it i am going to stay to a hotel during my staying there. If you want to see the apartment i would need your address to FedEx-overnight the keys to you so you can view it because i have no one there to show it to you and no one else have the key and i am afraid that this is the only option, we will talk about the payment process for the $3,235 and about the other details, but, first, if there is somethig else that you want to know please feel free to ask.Thanks,Brian

   I started the transaction with rent.com and they just sent me an email letting me know that they sent you all the information you need to begin this. Did you receive it? Check your Bulk/Junk folder as well and let me know.

   Regarding the lease agreement i could send it with the keys, it’s a normal, standard lease, i’ll also send you the proof of ownership. It’s ok?

   I am waiting an email from you.

   Thank you.

7. meerkat
   October 1st, 2007 |

   Looks like these scamsters use real people’s names and addresses. May be they steal people’s mails or obtain valid names and address from the ads they put up on craigslist. I did send my full name and the address hoping to get the keys, now I am hoping they won’t misuse my name and post ads in my name. Frauds!

   Read more on this here-
   http://3quarksdaily.blogs.com/3quarksdaily/2007/01/web_of_lies.html

8. millie
   October 5th, 2007 |

   from New York

   It just happen to me too, the worse things is that I am a single mother of three, and I have send the only money I had for a deposit on a partment. What can I do now?.

9. Alicia
   October 7th, 2007 |

   Maybe you should file a complaint with your local police. You may not ever get the money back, but in case, many people are filing complaints against this person, may be they might track him/her down eventually. keep all the emails and the information on the moneygram with you. They may come handy sometime in the future.

10. manish
    October 9th, 2007 |

    I’m sorry that so many folks get scammed. The poster and several commentators have good advice for the rest of us to follow, and I have nothing particular to add. I do have some advice for folks who might currently be in the middle of a scammer’s attempt to scam them and want to know what to do to get this guy (or gal; we’re equal op here).

    The problem with giving the email address of the scammer, especially if it’s an AOL / hotmail / yahoo / etc. address, is that it gives Law Enforcement very little information. Armed with this, they would have to go to AOL (etc.), perhaps with a subpoena (for which they’d have to first visit a judge), to get some more information on this guy. Odds are this guy signed up for the email account with fake information. So then they’ll have to try to locate where he logs in from. Which might be Nigeria. At this point, the cops have spent a whole bunch of time and effort and now have to drop the case due to jurisdiction issues. The cops know this. So if you report this to them, they’ll just politely file your case away.

    If you can find some more information on your own, you might be able to increase your chances of getting the police to take your case seriously. For tech savvy folks, the following may be obvious, but I’m posting this anyway for the rest.

    What you do is get a friend who runs a web-server. This friend has to do very little for you and the following does not expose him to any risk whatsoever. Say the friend runs a web-server at http://www.afriendinneed.com.

    You email the scammer with a link like “http://www.afriendinneed.com/non-existent-page”. This is a link that points to your friend’s server, but the page it points to does not exist. Now you need to get him to click on it. This is called social engineering and is what scammers do all the time — its about time to turn the tables on them. Tell him you have some personal info for him at that link. “Can I send you a check from my account listed here: …”. (For the more sophisticated: You could get really sneaky and send him a hidden embedded image that tries to load from the funky URL. This way he doesn’t even have to realise what’s going on. As soon as he opens his email, he’s fallen for your trick. But sending this requires a little more tech savvy).

    When the scammer clicks on the link (or loads the email with the hidden image), his browser will make a request to your friend’s server. Much like your browser did to rantlust when you tried to load this page. One of the things that the browser will tell the server is the real IP address that the scammer is browsing from. This cannot be faked. Most servers will log the access to this page and the IP address the access came from (along with other info). For instance, rantlust has a page that displays all such accesses (but you need an account to be able to view it).

    Now on your friend’s server, only the scammer will be accessing the URL you made up. (Since you made up this URL and no other visitor to your friend’s site will know about it). All your friend has to do is to wait for someone to access this page and tell your the IP address of the accessor(s) — your friend will get this information from the webserver’s log. You use this address and do 2 things. One, go to a WHOIS site and find out who this address belongs to. This will most likely be an ISP or a company (if the dude is running this from his workplace). Second, find a good geolocator (here’s one I like) and find out where, physically, the IP address is located.

    At this point, you know which jurisdiction the scammer lives in, so you know which cops to contact (or to tell your cops to contact). You probably also know the ISP the scammer uses (so the cops know who to go to to get the scammer’s street address). Now its up to you to get the cops to do something about it. You may not have too hard a time if you just remember that scams are very hard for cops to bust — if you can give them a reasonable chance to bust one with a little effort, you’ve probably made their success rate go up a huge amount — everyone wants to look good handling a tough case. Plus the scammer is likely targeting a lot of other folks, so the cops gets to bust a whole scamming ring — not just solve your case. Moreover, often such folks (like the scammer) are involved in other illegal operations too. Best of luck making your case to the cops.

    It might turn out that you don’t get any leads. The scammer could be in Nigeria, where scammers seem to be pretty much free to do what they want. The scammer could be working from an internet cafe, or stealing someone else’s wireless signal, or using Google’s free wireless in San Francisco, etc. Or the scammer could be savvy enough to not follow your link. Heck, the scammer could have read this very comment. But its probably worth a try.

    Let us know if you have any luck. All the best.

11. meerkat
    October 9th, 2007 |

    This is fantastic advice!
    As anupcs always says, check out the big brain on manish

12. meerkat
    October 9th, 2007 |

    I actually have the scamster’s address, which I got in the mail and I was asked to moneygram to the address-

    Kimberly Powell,
    63B Kifissias Ave, 61092, Athens, Greece
    This must be the scamster’s address in Greece.

    Take a look at the actual email(I modified my email address), it looks quite convincing at the first glance.
    http://www.rantlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/scam2.htm

    I did not lose money, so I did not file a case with the local police. For the people that lost money, it might be a good idea to file a case with the police with this information, right?

13. steffy
    October 23rd, 2007 |

    Hi,

    I dealt with the same guy ( mine is living in Santa Barbara). It was for an amazing apt in chelsea nyc. I was ready to send the money, then the guy signed his email with a different name; first Brian and then Allen, so i started to google his name and address, and here I am….

14. meerkat
    October 23rd, 2007 |

    Nice, I am so happy that you did not send money to this fraud.

15. Jennifer
    November 18th, 2007 |

    I too almost got scammed by this guy too. I feel horribly that it is being made so easy for these scammers to exist. Everything sounded great in the ad. I found it a little concerning that you had to send money before you even saw the listing. I googled the address and it was on top of a hair salon. When i asked the person about the apartment he said it was a rowhouse condo. I don’t know if anyone is familiar with jersey, but there are no rowhouses like that in hoboken! I then googled the address in Greece and here i am. For anyone else this guy is now using Remax which looks legit, except you can’t find the office where you supposedly need to send money in the website. I was given the same address mentioned here except the agent’s name was Willy Herrera and the person listing the apartment was named Martin.

16. Brian
    November 18th, 2007 |

    The scammer has changed. Almost got a friend and i on a Apt in Hoboken NJ. It is still using all of the same information however, it is one Martin Bristow. ill copy the emails.

    Hi,
    The apartment is available now, long or short term lease, i am the owner, 2nd floor, fully furnished, i can rent it unfurnished also, all the utilities are included ( water, garbage, electricity, heat..etc). Pets are allowed. I am renting the whole apartment for $1,300 per month. I am asking for 2 months rent payment plus 1/2 month as security deposit, this is $3,250 in total. If my terms are ok with you please reply back, if you have questions please free to ask. Here are pictures:
    http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/bristow734

    Address:
    1016 WASHINGTON ST #2L,
    HOBOKEN, NJ 07030

    Thank you
    Martin Bristow
    >>
    Hi again,
    Just a few more info. Equal size-2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, washer/dryer in unit, A/C, dishwasher, parking–2 spots included in the rent, safe neighborhood, nice neighbors, very quiet, no noise, close to transportation and everything else. It’s fully furnished, but i can rent it unfurnished also, will use a moving company.The lenght of the lease is flexible: long/short term. I have to tell you that i am in Athens, Greece, i am here with a job contract for 5 years, i am in my first year now, i come to NJ every 6 months for 3 or 4 days and if you rent the apartment i will stay to a hotel. If you want to see the apartment i would need your address where the keys to be fedex-overnight to you, we will talk about the payment process for the $3,250 and about the other details, but, first, if there is somethig else that you want to know please feel free to ask.

    Thank you.
    Martin
    >>
    We can start the lease on jan 1st, bu we have to make the contract now.
    The parking spots are located in a lot.
    Cable, internet ready–not included.
    I am having second thoughts, i am not feeling comfortable just sending you the keys, sorry, nothing personal. I have noone there to show you the apartment because my parents are in France since i was 24 and my best friend is out of state.
    Before i listed the add on craigslist i contacted a company named Remax, their website is http://www.remax.com. They are a well known company all over the world, they have offices all over the world, see map here http://www.remax.com/misc/remax_regions/international_regions.aspx. So, i went to their office in Athens at http://www.remax.gr/contact_en.asp and i told them to help me renting my property. The lady from the office assigned me an agent to take care of my transaction.
    So, here is how it goes: you must agree using this company, i’ll contact my agent and let him know you agreed using them, then they will send you an e-mail with all the instructions about how to proceed with the transaction, you send the money to the company’s agent, they put the money in their account and will be held there until after viewing, then i have to send you keys, proof of ownership and a leasing contract (it’s a normal, standard contract), i will use FedEx-overnight and will provide the tracking number to you and to RE/MAX, when you have the keys you will have 5 days to go and see the apartment, if you decide to rent it you have to sign the lease, fedex-overnight it to me–keep a copy for yourself, notify RE/MAX that you accepted the apartment and they’ll release the money to me, if you dislike the apartment you have to notify RE/MAX and you will have to FedEx me the keys and provide me the tracking # (i pay the fees), you will also have to provide the tracking # to RE/MAX so they can track it too, when i receive the keys i will notify RE/MAX that i received it, then they’ll refund you entirely.
    The next step is to give me the OK to start this up with them and they’ll contact you.

    Thank you
    Martin
    >>
    I suggested the same thing to the Agent from Athens when i talked to him (to use a Remax realtor in US to show you the apartment), but he said and i knew that from the beginning that the agents from US charge, or better say their fees are like 1 month or 2 of the monthly rent which is huge, so, that’s why i propoused you to deposit the funds to the company’s account, they hold the funds in their escrow account, i fedex-overnight you the keys, if you decide not to rent the apartment the company fully refunds. The whole process will take no more than 2 days.
    You have to pay NO fees, i ‘ve paid it already which was small .
    Please tell me if you agree or not to use the company in the terms i said.
    >>
    You have to pay NO fees, i paid some fees, but they been small.

    I started the transaction with Remax.com and they just sent me an email letting me know that they sent you all the information you need to begin this. Did you receive it? Check your Bulk/Junk folder as well.

    Regarding the lease agreement i could send it with the keys, it’s normal, standard lease, i’ll also send you the proof of ownership. It’s ok?
    >>>>>>

    Some things to note:
    1. The emails were arriving to me at around 8:30 PM EST. That would mean someone in Greece is sending them at 3:30 AM Greek time? WRONG
    2. I anywho.com (ed) this guy in Hoboken, thinking that the place was on the market and would go . It actually came back to a real person (family) whose # had been disconnected…hmmmm
    3. It talks of fees paid on their end- WRONG fees are never paid to agents until after EVERYTHING.

    Sorry to all that were scammed- go with the brain on this one- a 2br 2 bth for 1300 in hoboken? try 2300. even though we want it to be true- everyone has said it… it sure is to good to be possible.

    Jennifer from above- this is him!!!

    anycomments? bskocype@gmail.com

17. SF_J
    November 21st, 2007 |

    Thank God for this website. I almost got scammed. I found this website right before sending the money. I got the same emails with a different name and address. I thought it was weird at first because he/she (she in my case) sent me the wrong address at first. This person sent me a Remax email so I actually called Remax as well. However, they said that there didn’t have an agent (and the office in “Greece”) that this scammer mentioned.

    Thanks once again for blogging about this scammer!!

18. Kinder
    November 21st, 2007 |

    He’s in the Boston area now. Ad is for 100 Lansdowne in Cambridge, same exact description and e-mails and a surprisingly legit-looking ReMax e-mail. He used the name ” Louis Pontecorvo “. I hope people google it and end up here. Luckily I had caught on well before he bothered with the ReMax business. I think I gave him a little fright when I told him I lived right down the street from a ReMax office and was going to stop over to see if they could help with the “transaction,” because he e-mailed me back within seconds to tell me not to bother, it was all taken care of. I swear, the next time I’m in greece…

19. Cristi
    November 30th, 2007 |

    Same story here, same emails verbatim.

    The scammer’s name this time was Dean Rasmussen (deanrasmussensf@aol.com), and the apartment is 865 Vallejo St. in San Francisco.

    I was alerted by a notice on the bottom of ReMax’s homepage, so it sounds like word is getting out.

    I’ve still got him on the line… he thinks I’m sending the money Monday. Any suggestions for ways to get at him?

20. Rafa
    December 3rd, 2007 |

    From NY today: December 3, 07.

    Same letter same thief. I’ll tell ya, Looking for an apartment in NY has not been easy, from London, Spain, Greece… All crazy. What gave it away was the “parking” in Manhattan… Hello, if there was parking you could charge at least 2000 more. It looked pretty real. The difference is this person is actually American. You can tell by the way the reply is written. Police can track their IP number. I recommend to report.

    Good luck y’all

21. Em
    December 3rd, 2007 |

    I almost got scammed by the deanrasmussensf@aol.com scenario but fortunately contacted a local remax agent prior to sending the money. Dean just emailed me again this morning asking for the transaction details, so I responded saying I wasn’t going to send anything until this is discussed over the phone. A few hours later, I receive a call at my work from AT&T Relay, which is the phone service for the hearing/speech impaired. The operator told me it was from Dean Rasmussen and he was asking what I needed to discuss with him. The operator said Dean was deaf and he needs to use this service to communicate over the phone. So I responded asking for his address in Greece and he responded asking why. I said that I went to a local remax agent and they needed it to verify the international agent, because they were going to broker the deal for me. Once i said that, the operator informed me that the line was disconnected. I don’t think I’ll be hearing from him again, but I’ve already reported all of this to the authorities. The AT&T Relay service is legitimate so I’m wondering if they can trace back what number was documented calling my work.

22. kb
    December 6th, 2007 |

    I have also been in communication with “Dean Rasmussen”, however i was determined it was a scam when i called the SF Assessors office and found out that he did not own the property. I then called remax to find out if they offered such a service, at that point the immediately transfered me to their fraud department.

    Because i was able to sting the scammer out, Remax asked me to forard on a few questions they had for him. Below is that conversation.

    Dean,

    I got the remax transaction e-mail, but I see the payment is really through MoneyGram, not remax. I would really like the apartment, but I’m not sure I’m comfortable with them. You can’t be too careful these days! Is there any way I could FedEx you the funds? I checked with my bank yesterday and I can get a bank cashier’s check in Euros, from a European bank. Should I send it to the RE/MAX address that was on the transaction e-mail (Novico MacAllister, RE/MAX.com, 63B Kifissias Ave, 61092, Athens, Greece), or would you prefer I send it straight to you, to avoid you owing them? Or maybe if you have a relative back here in the U.S. that I could send it to?

    Regards,

    Deans reply:
    MOney Gram is the payment method accepted by remax, if you disagree i am sorry, but we will stop here.

23. papi
    December 6th, 2007 |

    Any suggestions for ways to get at him?

    Many of the comments here (understandably) express a desire to get back at the scammer. This is not prudent. These are criminals, and you don’t want to take them on yourself. The best thing is to provide those who do this professionally with the best possible information to help them do their job, and then let them get on with it.

    File a complaint with the the Internet Crime Complaint Center (http://www.ic3.gov). Give them the details of all your conversations with the scammer. And then get on with your life, and be vigilant in future. Good luck.

24. Novico MacAllister
    December 6th, 2007 |

    Wow! The “Dean Rasmussen” guy totally used my name! I almost got suckered by this scam, too, and I had my friend check it out for me. She called two ReMax places and both said it sounded fishy. I can’t believe he is using my name! How do I stop this?

25. M
    February 4th, 2008 |

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! They have a listing in Cambridge, MA on Craiglsit (although not up now):
    I asked for more info and he responded with:
    The apartment is available now, flexible lease, i am the owner, 5th floor, elavator, fully furnished, i can rent it unfurnished too, all the utilities are included ( water, garbage, electricity, heat..etc). Pets are allowed. I am renting the whole apartment for $1,300 per month. I am asking for 2 month’s rent payment plus 1/2 month as security deposit, this is a total of $3,250. If my terms are ok with you please reply back, if you have questions please free to ask. Here are pictures: http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/pontecorvolouis

    Address:
    100 Landsdowne St.
    Cambridge, MA 02139

    Thank you.
    Louis Pontecorvo

    Hope he doesn’t get a chance to scam anymore!

26. boston
    February 4th, 2008 |

    Yes, I got the same thing about the Cambridge apartment today. So glad I googled his name! I wonder if he’s gotten anyone this way? Sad because now I’m back to square one…

27. Anonymous
    February 4th, 2008 |

    SAME thing with me!! My roommate and i kept saying “what is the catch?”

    From:
    Date: Mon, Feb 4, 2008 at 5:03 PM
    Subject: Re: apartment for rent.

    –

    Hi,

    The apartment is available now, flexible lease, i am the owner, 5th floor, elavator, fully furnished, i can rent it unfurnished too, all the utilities are included ( water, garbage, electricity, heat..etc). Pets are allowed. I am renting the whole apartment for $1,300 per month. I am asking for 2 month’s rent payment plus 1/2 month as security deposit, this is a total of $3,250. If my terms are ok with you please reply back, if you have questions please free to ask. Here are pictures: http:// pictures.aol.com/galleries/pontecorvolouis

    Address:
    100 Landsdowne St.
    Cambridge, MA 02139

    Thank you.
    Louis Pontecorvo

28. Mischa
    February 4th, 2008 |

    He’s in BOSTON- well, at least he’s trying to do the SAME scam in Boston. He’s just emailed me after I inquired about an add he’d placed on Craigslist. The apartment looked almost too good, so I googled his name and found this blog. I can’t thank you enough for posting this, and saving my partner and I a serious headache!!! I’ll contact craigslist, as well as the apartment complex that he’s listing. WOW- thanks again!!!
    Here’s what his email said to me:
    Hi,
    The apartment is available now, flexible lease, i am the owner, 5th floor, elavator, fully furnished, i can rent it unfurnished too, all the utilities are included ( water, garbage, electricity, heat..etc). Pets are allowed. I am renting the whole apartment for $1,300 per month. I am asking for 2 month’s rent payment plus 1/2 month as security deposit, this is a total of $3,250. If my terms are ok with you please reply back, if you have questions please free to ask. Here are pictures: http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/pontecorvolouis

    Address:
    100 Landsdowne St.
    Cambridge, MA 02139

    Thank you.
    Louis Pontecorvo

29. Mischa
    February 4th, 2008 |

    He’s in BOSTON- well, at least he’s trying to do the SAME scam in Boston. He’s just emailed me after I inquired about an add he’d placed on Craigslist. The apartment looked almost too good, so I googled his name and found this blog. I can’t thank you enough for posting this, and saving my partner and I a serious headache!!! I’ll contact craigslist, as well as the apartment complex that he’s listing. WOW- thanks again!!!
    Here’s what his email said to me:
    “Hi,
    The apartment is available now, flexible lease, i am the owner, 5th floor, elavator, fully furnished, i can rent it unfurnished too, all the utilities are included ( water, garbage, electricity, heat..etc). Pets are allowed. I am renting the whole apartment for $1,300 per month. I am asking for 2 month’s rent payment plus 1/2 month as security deposit, this is a total of $3,250. If my terms are ok with you please reply back, if you have questions please free to ask. Here are pictures: http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/pontecorvolouis

    Address:
    100 Landsdowne St.
    Cambridge, MA 02139

    Thank you.
    Louis Pontecorvo”

30. mirte
    February 5th, 2008 |

    Oh man! I already thought it was too good to be true, and indeed it is. I am so happy that other people have already exposed him here, otherwise this would have cost me a lot more time, and maybe even money. Thank you guys!

31. jeroen vlutters
    February 5th, 2008 |

    wow! thanks for this site! I almost got scammed as well, indeed the appartment in cambridge, using the name Louis Pontecorvo. Thank goodness for this site.
    Weird that craigslist is doing absolutely nothing on checks to prevent these kind of scams. Might be worth trying to see what we can do about craigslist as well, because it seems that they need to be forced into action to stop scammers.

32. Catherine of Cambridge
    February 5th, 2008 |

    THANK YOU! I too am looking for an apartment in Cambridge and came across this ad. As a friend said, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
    I’m so glad I googled his name.

33. anupcs
    February 5th, 2008 |

    I am amazed that he still uses this name as by now shouldn’t he get some idea that people are on to him? Or is he Internet-challenged?

34. meerkat
    February 5th, 2008 |

    Well, he or she changes the name every single time they attack a city. They set up photographs online in their aol account. So, I guess it takes a while before they create a new account. The moneygram account in Greece is always a female name and many of them have reported the same name. The ads in the US, gets posted with different names for different cities. Yeah, I agree they are a little lazy to change their names and it gets complicated for the scammer to keep track of all their false identities as one person said the scammer used different names in subsequent emails and that triggered off their search on the internet.

35. From Brookline
    February 5th, 2008 |

    Yep, he was trying to scam me too. I asked him for a showing, thank god he didn’t reply. I guess if it sounds too good to be true…it’s a scam!!!

    Here is what the low life scum bag says:
    Hi,
    The apartment is available now, flexible lease, i am the owner, 5th floor, elavator, fully furnished, i can rent it unfurnished too, all the utilities are included ( water, garbage, electricity, heat..etc). Pets are allowed. I am renting the whole apartment for $1,300 per month. I am asking for 2 month’s rent payment plus 1/2 month as security deposit, this is a total of $3,250. If my terms are ok with you please reply back, if you have questions please free to ask. Here are pictures: http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/pontecorvolouis

    Address:
    100 Landsdowne St.
    Cambridge, MA 02139

    Thank you.
    Louis Pontecorvo

36. Mission Hill
    February 5th, 2008 |

    He’s trying to scam me too that Bastard

37. santos
    February 5th, 2008 |

    just saw a great ad in nyc for a place on east 77th, $1200 a month. first thing that popped in my head was “TOOOOOO good to be true!” sure enough, got the standard reply from a “Sue Holverson” explaining that she is working in Hawaii and needs a renter ASAP for this apartment. At nearly 1/3 of the market value. Right.

    thanks for this blog post, hopefully it will save others like me from making a huge mistake!

38. storydiva
    February 6th, 2008 |

    I guess I can join the club. I thought it sounded too good to be true. I got my “I working in London on a five year contract” email and sent internet info about myself and planned to ask for a phone number before giving my address. My friend said check it out a little more and lo and behold, I found this site. Thank you so much.

39. LS
    February 6th, 2008 |

    He tried to scam me, too, with the Cambridge, MA apartment. Same emails as posted above, by Louis Pontecorvo. Watch out.

40. MACC
    February 6th, 2008 |

    These bastar is using the trick of “century 21″ on me. same thing , the craigslist awesome aparment, dream deal like, but At the end is just a scam, thanks to these site I found the scam, I dont know but the police is pretty much useless, so, good luck to the next victims and have just a few dolars off the pocket instead of the thousands. he allmost got the tricky cabron….

41. Amy
    February 6th, 2008 |

    We saw the same ad in Boston with Pontecorvo. Is this person dangerous in any other way? Has anyone notified the FBI (since he is scamming in multiple states)?

42. W. Roxbury, too
    February 6th, 2008 |

    Same here! I wonder what happens if we were to keep him going. Just long enough to keep track of him? Pretty great suggestions at the top, but I don’t know how long that would take, especially if I am already to the “send the money first” email.
    Thanks to my friend I will not waste anymore time on this one…

43. S
    February 8th, 2008 |

    Hmmm…yup, sounded too good to be true and I’m glad I checked up on it!!! Looks like I’m falling into the same trap with Sue Holverson. I actually tried to look up the apartment on rent.com and didn’t see anything listed, so I sent them an email asking whether it was listed today, or if its a scam. But I had also emailed her earlier today requesting the paperwork as I was interested and wanted to review, but I sent her my name and address. Has anyone had any problems with fraud after having provided their information?

    Yikes!

    Thanks for posting - really helps out in weeding out the scammers!

44. meerkat
    February 8th, 2008 |

    I have had an issue after I gave away my name, address in a Craigslist ad. I had asked a professional(sounded like it, 5 star moving company) moving company to help me with my move to another apartment. They did not show up as promised and did not return my calls at all. I did not lose money, but I trusted them to show up and help me out.

    So, I typed in a negative comment response to their ad and that is when things started going bad in my new apartment. They had placed multiple ads in my name, one was to say I was giving all my things away and people just need to show up at my new apartment. The next ad was placed I think, in a very bad way, as people started showing up late in the night. Anyway, those few days were tough.

    After this, I usually don’t give out my name and address except to this fraud because it sounded convincing while I was in the conversation.

    Read more about misusing names here-
    http://3quarksdaily.blogs.com/3quarksdaily/2007/01/web_of_lies.html

45. papi
    February 8th, 2008 |

    Looks like lots of people have been or are on the verge of being scammed by this scheme. I know some people who’ve responded to this post have contacted the Internet Crime Center, and that approach has not produced much in the way of results. So here’s an alternative plan. The best protection seems to be informing potential victims in a timely fashion about the scam. For this, we need to make sure that when someone puts in a scammer’s name in google, the first hit is this page warning them about the scam. A technique similar to the one described here can be used. You create a link to this page with the link being the scammer’s name, and if enough people click on the link, the google page rank for this page goes up for the specified search string (the scammer’s name). Even more powerful is if there are multiple links from different web pages, so if you have your own blog, create a link from there as well using the method shown below.

    I’ve created some sample links below (be sure to click on them):

    Dean Rasmussen
    Sue Holverson

    The string ‘Louis Pontecorvo’ already brings us to this page. But the names keep changing, as you can see from the comments above. So if you get scammed with a different name, add a comment to this post with the following text (replace ‘Scammer Name’ with the scammer’s name, of course):

    <a href=”http://www.rantlust.com/skat/2007/09/19/internet-fraud/”>Scammer Name</a>

46. meerkat
    February 8th, 2008 |

    Great idea!

    Gallen Halla
    Kimberly Powell

47. Lovin NYC
    February 9th, 2008 |

    “Sue Holverson” tried to scam me to.

    And then I did some research:

    So before paying the deposit, I spent most of the night doing a little more homework.

    I figured, if she owned the unit there would be a record on ACRIS right? I searched and searched and searched … nothing, but who knows, she could own it through some other entity … keep looking.

    I did a reverse lookup on the three fax numbers … all detroit land lines … okay, but is that where the company is located?

    You would think if Rent.com was using Western Union for service to their escrow account that they would have an advertised spot … nope.

    To be honest the rent.com site is difficult to crack. All contact information is via email. But it is an ebay company (which are generally located in CA). … and then I noticed the copyright date and “other eBay companies” on my email was outdated compared to the website — well maybe this Rent.com agent “Ramon Pereira” just didn’t update it, it is afterall still the beginning of the year …

    And then I did a general lookup on the domain name on his email address http://www.rentbyowners.info - the site is “under construction” and powered by Yahoo. Don’t you think an ebay company would 1) have its own servers and not need to use a hosting company and 2) not leave an advertising spot undone?

    And then I found this little nugget hidden in a corner of the Rent.com site:

    “Rent.com does not handle lease transactions or money transfers. Do not do business with anyone who promises that Rent.com is handling any part of the actual lease transaction, including payment protection, apartment certification, escrow services or “satisfaction guarantees” of any kind.”

    Too good to be true indeed.

    ——–

    Here are the emails:

    Sue:

    The apartment is a co-op and I have the right to rent it to whoever I want and at the price I think is fare and it faces the courtyard, but you can also see a small part of the street. I am glad your boss was impressed by the building and I am sure you will also like the place a lot.

    Thank you,
    Keep in touch.

    Sue,
    I told my boss about the apartment yesterday and it turns out his son used to live across the street so he was very excited. So excited in fact, that he apparently stopped in to see the building on his way in to work this morning. Being that I am younger than most of his children he’s taken on the role of a second dad to me so of course he had to check on things. He was very impressed with the building. He did have a few questions:

    Does the apartment face the street or the courtyard?
    Is the apartment a rental and do you have the right to sublet? or
    Is the apartment a co-op and do you have the right to sublet?

    I look forward to hearing from you.

    Best regards,

    [me]

    Sue,

    I received the document and instructions late this afternoon.

    I am reviewing and should have everything set by tomorrow afternoon or early Saturday morning depending on what crisis come up at work! So far so good on this end.

    Best regards,

    [me]

    —

    Hello [Me],

    I’m really sorry for this late reply but I’ve been very busy lately and
    away from a computer. I just managed to forward your details at
    rent.com and I hope they will contact you with more details and
    instructions soon. It is not designed to force you or anything. I
    apologize if I’m moving too fast but I need to rent this apartment as
    soon as possible. The rental department will contact you with the
    temporarily agreement and with all the instructions to secure the place.
    I have attached pictures with the apartment for you to review. The place
    is now partially furnished with nice and modern furniture, but you also
    have the option to rent it unfurnished as you see it in the pics. Either
    way you want to rent it is fine for me as I have were to store the
    furniture, just let me know if you need it unfurnished. As for the
    pictures, I am sorry but those are all I have at this point as I did not
    knew until recently that I have to look for a new tenant.
    I will have the apartment available for at least 3-4 years from now
    since I definitely moved in Hawaii so you can stay as long as you need.
    After you will inspect the apartment and if you decide you want to move
    in, we will sign a binding contract on 1 year ( even 2 if you are
    willing) and we can renew it after that time passes. If you will decide
    you want to pass and start looking for another place, Rent.com will
    refund you same day.
    You will have to confirm at Rent.com a cycle of 2 months. After your
    payment confirmation they will contact me and we will meet for an
    inspection. From that point, if you will decide to rent the apartment,
    Rent.com will release me the funds and, in case you will decide to pass
    it, they will refund you the same day. No security deposit required.
    The whole process takes less than a day and I will be contacting you
    over the phone the very next minute I hear something positive from
    Rent.com and schedule a meeting so you can inspect the apartment
    whenever is best for you. Also you will only pay this first cycle of
    rent through the rental department, after that (after we will have a
    contract) you will pay the rent directly into my bank account once at
    every 2 months.
    My situation being difficult as I’m in Hawaii forces me to require that
    refundable deposit confirmed. That will ease my mind that I’m meeting a
    serious person and I’m not flying hundreds of miles for nothing.

    Thank you,
    Hope to hear from you soon

    —–

    Sue,

    Thank you for getting back to me. I thought for sure someone else had snagged the opportunity before me.

    I can appreciate your position. I actually do have an account at rent.com so I will do what is necessary to go through them.

    I wasn’t planning on moving until March, but can appreciate your urgency to get someone in as soon as possible. I will be out of town next week returning the Monday after President’s weekend and wouldn’t be able to start coordinating a move in until after that date. Is there anyway you would consider starting the term on March 1st? I don’t know what arrangments you have with the current tenant, but if that’s a possibility, it would be much appreciated.

    About the apartment - I love the kitchen area and would be happy to look after your countertop and appliances for you. The photos of the kitchen are what won me over. I would like to see pictures of the bathroom if you have them. Also, you listed the apartment as a 1 bedroom but it looks more like a studio, is that the actuallity of it? I just want to know what to expect, but am pretty happy with what I’ve seen so far.

    Just a little background on me, I am an assistant to an entertainment attorney on —- street. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, and I don’t have any pets. I’m not a big party person, no loud music either. Pleasant. Just looking for a place to call home closer to work! (I currently commute 2 hours each day)

    Thank you again for getting back to me. I hope everything works out to both of our benefits.

    Best regards,

    [Me / Contact info]

    —–Original Message—–
    From: Sue Holverson
    To: Me
    Sent: Wed, 6 Feb 2008 2:08 am
    Subject: Re: Apartment

    Hello [Me]

    I am contacting you regarding this property:
    517 East 77th Street, #3-H
    New York, NY 10021
    1 Bed/1 Bath and 600 sqft
    Rent: 1200$/ month
    I have posted the ad for 5 days on Rent.com and also on Craigslist so I don’t know exactly were you found my ad, but I am working with Rent.com rental department to rent the place. I have chosen to rent the apartment through this service offered by the rental department which offers a fast and safe way to rent a place by holding and processing payments as a third party. Prior to start posting ads on the Internet, I have signed an agreement with them and also payed all the fees for this service. You don’t have to pay any fees at rent.com for this process. Due to the fact that I already payed their fees, used this service for 2 times by now and also feel very comfortable with them I will not bypass this step.
    Right now I am working as a hotel manager in Hawaii and decided to rent this apartment. The price in that area for an apartment like this is between $2,500.00 and $1,900.00/month. I’m asking only $1,200/month but I need a serious and trust worthy person to rent to. I currently have someone inside (a bookkeeper from a local bank) and he is planning on leaving asap. this week.
    I will require payment in advance for every 2 months which means $2,400.00 at every cycle. Rent.com will hold the money for the first cycle until you inspect the apartment and send them your confirmation that you wish to rent. I require the payment in advance at Rent.com because my time is very limited, I don’t want to disturb my current tenant as I will not disturb you in case you decide on something positive, and I’m sick of tire-kickers - no offence but the world is full of them and some people are looking for interior design ideas only. I am looking for someone who not only will pay me money but also will take care and preserve my property.
    If you’re ok with my terms and you wish to proceed please forward me your full name and address and I will pass them onto Rent.com. They will contact you with payment instructions in order to secure the deposit/first cycle. The whole process takes less than a day and I will be contacting you over the phone the very next minute I hear something positive from Rent.com and schedule a meeting so you can inspect the apartment. If you will decide to pass and start looking for another place, Rent.com will return you the money 100% as I will be supporting the fees but I’m sure you will like it as everybody did.

    Hope to hear from you soon,
    Sue Holverson

    P.S: Utilities included in the rent: water, gas, garbage, Internet, cable/TV and parking for 1 car.
    Available to clean and responsible tenants only. Well-mannered pets considered.
    Minimum stay 6 months up to 24 months.
    If you want I can attach some pictures with the apartment for you to review.

48. can't believe it
    February 13th, 2008 |

    Hey All!
    Thanks for posting this. You saved me some trouble. Please be aware of this scam too off of craigslist for a 1 bedroom on 93rd street for 1100.00 - “he’s in London and can’t show the apartment but will mail you the keys when you send the check”

    email: viktor088@gmail.com

    The name Michel Viktor

    Good luck:)

49. scam on craigslist!
    February 20th, 2008 |

    Thanks for posting! I had the same problem with the scammster “Michel Viktor” “viktor8michel@googlemail.com” on Craigslist.
    Read below:
    Hello,
    Thank you for your interest.As you can see I have available the apartment located in East 93th Street New York, NY 10128, with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom, square ft. 450, because I moved with my job in United Kingdom, London and I need money to pay the rent here. This is the main reason I want to rent at this price and also to find a good person for my apartment. I can rent you the apt. for max. 5 years because I have a contract here for this period. I `m the owner of the apt and its like in the pics. The rent for 1 month is $1100 including all utilities (water, electricity, Internet, cable, parking, air conditioning, fireplace, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator). You can move in the apt in the same day when you receive the keys. The only problem is that I `m the only person who have the keys but I hope that we will find a compromise.
    Thank you for your interest and I will look forward to hearing from you soon.
    Good luck,….
    Thank you for your reply but the matter is that I’m in London already. Like I have inform you before, the price you shall pay for one month of rent will be $1100, with no extra taxes to pay. The money, I want to revive it monthly to my bank account, so I hope it will be no problem for you to wire the money to my bank account. The apartment is ready for you, you will need only to receive the keys and the contract to check it, and see if you like it.
    Obviously we need a way to complete this deal, that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are after. In order of that I have found a way for us to complete the deal safely and fast, and in this way you will receive the Keys in less than 2 days, if you move fast as well. The solution is provided by a company called TNT which is similar to FedEx, DHL or UPS, which will handle both payment and delivery of the Keys.
    I have found a procedure that will allow you to pay for the rent of the apt only after you will receive the keys of it and through this way you will see it and decide if you will stay in the apt or not before I receive my payment. Please click on the link bellow to the TNT website to see how we can complete the deal safely and fast directly from the website of the
    company where the procedure is explained: http://www.tnt.com/country/en_generic/services/special_services/timecritical.html
    Let me know if you are interested please because I really need to take care of this matter by the end of this week or the beginning of the next one……

    I didn’t realize this was a scam until after I gave my address–hope you find out earlier!

50. odie
    February 25th, 2008 |

    haha, this is classic!..

    i cant believe what im hearing.
    this joker louis pontecorvo just did the exact same thing to me, same advert, everything to a tee.
    this time it was a luxury apartment in notting hill, london for 200 pounds a week. i thought it was missing a zero. i left an email enquiring about this joint yesterday and he just replyed today telling me the place was available. me and my girlfriend couldnt believe how cheap this place was with the pictures and everything. we just emailed back to see if we could arrange a time to see it. then we were showing some friends the pictures and that, they couldnt believe it either, so they said to do a google search on the jokers name and here we are.
    i cant believe how many people he has scammed and still doing it now, with the same ad all around the world. i’ll probably get the second spiel from him tomorrow like he has done to everyone else.
    ya think i should mess with his head when i reply to his second email ? haha.
    is there something i can do which’ll really fuck him up.

51. Anonymous
    February 25th, 2008 |

    Michel Viktor is a scam asshole. I got the exact email, word by word. After a couple of exchanges, I told him deal was off.

52. melody
    February 26th, 2008 |

    This happened to me in England this week - the same guy!!!!!

53. Erin
    February 27th, 2008 |

    Happened to me too, today infact in England, same guy, same emails! what a horrible thing to do!

54. Anonymous
    February 27th, 2008 |

    Happened to us too - 2 Bed Flat in Notting Hill, asked him if we could arrange a viewing, he said he would send us keys via FedEx.
    I told him to send the tenancy agreement with the keys and his contact details, because I wanted to get in contact with him, but never replied!
    He probably got scared once I told him I work for a Property Invstement Company!

    We havent heard from him since - ASSHOLE!

55. Ricardo from London
    February 27th, 2008 |

    Hi again,

    Just a few more info. Equal size-2 bedrooms/1 bathroom, 240 sq. ft., washer/dryer in unit, A/C, dishwasher, parking–2 spots included in the rent plus bicycle garage, safe neighborhood, nice neighbors, very quiet, no noise, close to transportation and everything else. It’s fully furnished, but i can rent it unfurnished also, same price if unfurnished, will use a moving company. As i said pets are allowed. Building has maintenance. The lenght of the lease is flexible: long/short term. I have to tell you that i am in Athens, Greece, i am here with a job contract for 5 years, i am in my first year now, i come to London every 6 months for 3 or 4 days and if you rent the apartment i will stay to a hotel. If you want to see the apartment i would need your address where the keys to be fedex-overnight to you, we will talk about the payment process for the GBP1,600 and about the other details, but, first, if there is somethig else that you want to know please feel free to ask.

    Thank you.
    Louis
    This was his mail i got from the cu………….. and am waiting for reply and am going to play him just u waiy and see.

56. Ricardo from London
    February 28th, 2008 |

    HI again am still in contact with this guy and i need to know what to do because he came with this shit storie

    So, i am having second thoughts, i am not feeling comfortable just sending you the keys, sorry, nothing personal. I have noone there to show you the apartment because my parents are in France since i was 24 and my best friend is out of state.

    I’ve contacted a company named ReMax. Their website is http://www.remax.com. They are a well known company all over the world, they have offices all over the world, they have an office in Athens, too. So, i went to their office in Athens and i told them that i have an apartment in London and i want to rent it and they told me that they have a service i can use, i will describe it below. I accepted it, paid the fees and now all is needed is a possible tenant.

    So, here is how it goes: first you must agree using the company, then I will contact the ReMax company and let them know you agreed using them, then they will send you an e-mail with all the instructions about how to proceed with the transaction, you then must send the money to the company, they’ll put the money in their trust account, then i have to send you the keys, your money will be held there until after viewing, along with the keys i will fedex the proof of ownership and a leasing contract (it’s a normal, standard contract), i will use FedEx-overnight and will provide the tracking number to you and to ReMax, you will have 5 days to go and see the apartment, if you decide to rent it you have to sign the lease, fedex-overnight it to me–keep a copy for yourself, notify Century21 that you accepted the apartment and they will release the money to me, if you dislike the apartment you have to notify ReMax and they will fully refund you, when you have the money in hands you will have to FedEx me the keys and provide me the tracking # (i pay the fees), you will also have to provide the tracking # to ReMax so they can track it too, when i receive the keys i will notify ReMax that i received it and the transaction is ended. The next step is to give me the OK to start this up with them and they’ll contact you. Giving the circumstances i am sure you understand that this is the best way to handle the transaction.

    I am sure you’re asking yourself why would you deposit any money before seeing the apartment, but, again, under the circumstances this is the best way. Anyway, your money will be safe with ReMax and will be refunded if you decide not to rent the apartment.

    So what do i do know if any one know off off and idea can u let me know………..Pls

57. Anonymous II
    February 29th, 2008 |

    Thanks for sharing your experience.

    When we found the ad “$1300 / 2br - All utilities included, 2 bedr, 2 baths, 1300 sq. ft., parking” for an apartment in San Francisco a few days ago, it was clear that it was too good to be true. It was signed with the name of a San Francisco real estate agent. I googled her and called. She doesn’t rent apartments, of course, and said she had nothing to do with the posting. So I responded to the ad and pretended to be dumb. Here’s what the scamster replied:

    “The apartment is available now, flexible lease, i am the owner, 2nd floor, elavator, fully furnished, i can rent it unfurnished too, all the utilities are included ( water, garbage, electricity, heat..etc). Pets are allowed. I am renting the whole apartment for $1,300 per month. I am asking for 2 month’s rent payment plus 1/2 month as security deposit, this is a total of $3,250. If my terms are ok with you please reply back, if you have questions please free to ask. Here are pictures: http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/deborahnguyen

    Address:
    1800 Washington St #216
    San Francisco, CA 94109″

    Thank you”

    _______________________________________________________________

    “Hi again,

    Just a few more info. Equal size-2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, 1300 sq. ft., washer/dryer in unit, A/C, dishwasher, parking — 2 cars garage parking included, safe neighborhood, nice neighbors, very quiet, no noise, close to transportation and everything else. It’s fully furnished, but i can rent it unfurnished also, same price if unfurnished, will use a moving company. As i said pets are allowed. Building has maintenance. The lenght of the lease is flexible: long/short term. I have to tell you that i am in Athens, Greece, i am here with a job contract for 5 years, i am in my first year now, i come to San Francisco every 6 months for 3 or 4 days and if you rent the apartment i will stay to a hotel. If you want to see the apartment i would need your address where the keys to be fedex-overnight to you, we will talk about the payment process for the $3,250 and about the other details, but, first, if there is somethig else that you want to know please feel free to ask.

    Thank you.”

    __________________________________________________________

    “This is quite a long e-mail ,so, plese read it slowly and with attention, read it twice if you have to, i tried to explain the best as i could my proposal and things to be as clear as possible.

    So, i am having second thoughts, i am not feeling comfortable just sending you the keys, sorry, nothing personal. I have noone there to show you the apartment because my parents are in France since i was 24 and my best friend is out of state.

    I’ve contacted a company named ReMax. Their website is http://www.remax.com. They are a well known company all over the world, they have offices all over the world, they have an office in Athens, too. So, i went to their office in Athens and i told them that i have an apartment in San Francisco and i want to rent it and they told me that they have a service i can use, i will describe it below. I accepted it, paid the fees and now all is needed is a possible tenant.

    So, here is how it goes: first you must agree using the company, then I will contact the ReMax company and let them know you agreed using them, then they will send you an e-mail with all the instructions about how to proceed with the transaction, you then must send the money to the company, they’ll put the money in their trust account, then i have to send you the keys, your money will be held there until after viewing, along with the keys i will fedex the proof of ownership and a leasing contract (it’s a normal, standard contract), i will use FedEx-overnight and will provide the tracking number to you and to ReMax, you will have 5 days to go and see the apartment, if you decide to rent it you have to sign the lease, fedex-overnight it to me–keep a copy for yourself, notify ReMax that you accepted the apartment and they will release the money to me, if you dislike the apartment you have to notify ReMax and they will fully refund you, when you have the money in hands you will have to FedEx me the keys and provide me the tracking # (i pay the fees), you will also have to provide the tracking # to ReMax so they can track it too, when i receive the keys i will notify ReMax that i received it and the transaction is ended. The next step is to give me the OK to start this up with them and they’ll contact you. Giving the circumstances i am sure you understand that this is the best way to handle the transaction.

    I am sure you’re asking yourself why would you deposit any money before seeing the apartment, but, again, under the circumstances this is the best way. Anyway, your money will be safe with ReMax and will be refunded if you decide not to rent the apartment.

    I do not want to use a ReMax agent to show you the apartment or to whom you could give the money to because will involve realtor/broker fees and the fees are $1,600 which is huge. The service i’ve proposed above is much cheaper and i’ve paid the fees already.

    Let me know your decision. Let me know please what you decide. E-mail me ASAP.

    Thank you”

    __________________________________________________________

    “Welcome to Re/Max
    Outstanding Agents, outstanding results.

    For your safety, we have verified all the details of this transaction. We concluded that they are accurate. Please follow our instructions to complete the transaction.

    Item # Item Title Qty. Price
    360232022 Keys for apartment in San Francisco on 1800 Washington St #216 1 $3,250.00

    Shipping insurance: Included Total: $3,250.00

    RE/MAX.com Transaction!
    Current status: Payment pending
    Complete your RE/MAX.com transaction in 7 easy steps:

    Landlord and tenant agree on the transaction terms and a renting price.
    Landlord contacts RE/MAX.com with the transaction details, RE/MAX.com accepts the transaction and offers purchase protection to the tenant (if the transaction is declined, no further action is required from either the tenant or the landlord). The tenant sends the funds to RE/MAX.com. Tenant will send the payment details directly to the RE/MAX.com’s email address. After the payment was received, RE/MAX.com must notify the landlord. The Landlord has three business days to send to the tenant and RE/MAX.com the tracking number of the shipment. If no tracking number is provided, a full refund is immediately sent to the tenant.

    Tenant receives the keys and has five days to check the property. If it is as described, the tenant should accept the keys and must notify RE/MAX.com. RE/MAX.com will then release the funds to the landlord. If Tenant refuses the apartment, Tenant must ship the keys back to the landlord within three business days and send to the tenant and RE/MAX.com the tracking number of the shipment. Then RE/MAX.com refunds the tenant and transaction is ended.

    Payment must be sent by Money Gram Money Transfer to:

    RE/MAX.com representative:

    Michael Lyman

    Address: 63B Kifissias Ave, 61092, Athens, Greece

    Next step to be taken: The tenant must send the payment to the RE/MAX.com
    Is our responsability to make every option safe and tell that this landlord is verified by our services and you can have all the trust in his requests.

    Payment instructions:

    To submit the payment with Money Gram Money Transfer:

    Pay for the transfer with cash at a local Money Gram agency. To locate the agencies in your area go to http://www.moneygram.com/eFindUs/findUs.do?countryCode=US&languageCode=en
    Go to one of them and send the payment to the RE/MAX.com representative.

    Money Gram Money Transfer is the only service that has ultimate authentication of the identity of the receiver of funds. Several IDs and utility bills are required before the funds are paid to the receiver. Therefore, no one else but the RE/MAX.com representative can pick up the money. We will not reveal the payment information to the landlord. Your money is safe with RE/MAX.com. Your payments cannot be lost in the mail, like money orders or checks.
    Because there are fees involved to send a Money Gram Money Transfer
    we have arranged with the landlord and ge agreed for you to deduct the fees from the amount insured (i.e. if it costs you $50 to send the payment, take it from the amount insured and send the balance). The landlord will refund you for the fees if you refuse the apartment after viewing. According to our policies the landlord deposited $100 to our company in order to cover the fees refund.

    Once the payment was sent, email to RE/MAX.com the following information:

    1. 8 digit Reference#
    2. Exact sender’s name on file with Money Gram:
    3. Exact receiver’s name on file with Money Gram:
    4. Your street address on file with Money Gram:
    5. City and country where you sent the money from:
    6. Amount sent:
    7. Attachment of scanned receipt from Money Gram
    8. Your cell and land phone number.

    Please send the payment information and receipt at
    athens-remax.com@california.usa.com. At the subject line please write
    “Item #360232022″.

    Conditions to be met before you may ask for a refund:
    Here are the situations suitable for a refund request:
    1. If the keys doesn’t arrive and/or the landlord stops communications prior the keys was received;
    2. If the apartment has different specifications than the ones you agreed on;
    3. If the keys arrives in a much longer period than the one you agreed on (more than 7 days from the payment clearance day); For cases 2. and 3. you have to send back the keys to RE/MAX.com prior to ask for your refund. You have to provide the tracking # to RE/MAX.com.

    Important Usage Guidelines:
    1. The contact information should only be used for resolving matters related to RE/MAX.com. Any other use is strictly prohibited.
    2. This transaction is protected by RE/MAX.com services such as insurance, feedback and dispute resolution.
    3. You may buy and sell with confidence in all transactions with this RE/MAX.com member.
    4. Should you need to dispute this transaction, keep the transaction number at hand when contacting RE/MAX.com. Any complaints must be filed within 90 days from the verification date.

    The landlord was informed about this transaction being started and we are awaiting your payment. It is recommended to send the payment as soon as possible, because your purchase protection is valid for 30 days only.

    To contact us or if you encounter any problems with this transaction, please contact us at athens-remax.com@california.usa.com.

    To ask for a refund, simply send us an e-mail and enter in the subject line:
    “Refund request for RE/MAX.com Transaction, item # 360232022″

    Do NOT reply to this message because you will not receive a response.

    Best regards,
    The RE/MAX.com Team

    Sitemap | remax.com en español | RE/MAX Regions | RE/MAX Mainstreet | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact RE/MAXThe RE/MAX franchise network is a global real estate system of franchisee owned and operated offices and their affiliated independent professionals. RE/MAX affiliates lead the industry in professional designations, experience and production. RE/MAX International is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act.
    © 2007 RE/MAX International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.”

    __________________________________________________________

    “I started the transaction with Remax.com and they just sent me an email letting me know that they sent you all the information you need to begin this. Did you receive it? Check your Bulk/Junk folder as well.

    Regarding the lease agreement i could send it with the keys, it’s normal, standard lease, i’ll also send you the proof of ownership. It’s ok?

    I am waiting an email from you.

    Thank you.”

    __________________________________________________________________

    A full-time scamster. There must be enough suckers out there falling for it. We’ll report him and hope that he gets what he deserves.

58. Anon.
    February 29th, 2008 |

    Thank GOD for this site - I ALMOST got tricked into this. Thankfully my dear friend has come across this (and many other) sites warning people of this guy. As everyone else - I received the exact same email with the same ‘AMAZING’ offer for an apartment - this one in London. I still have him ‘on the line’, so if anyone has any ideas as to what to do next - please let me know.

    ps
    The Remax contact info in the email was NOT sent from Remax.

    “Hi,
    The apartment is available now, flexible lease, i am the owner, 4th floor, elavator, fully furnished, i can rent it unfurnished too, all the utilities are included ( water, garbage, electricity, heat..etc). Pets are allowed. I am renting the whole apartment for GBP800 per month. I am asking for 1 month’s rent payment plus 1 month as security deposit, this is a total of GBP1,600. If my terms are ok with you please reply back, if you have questions please free to ask. Here are pictures: http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/pontecorvolouis

    Address:
    13-15 St. Petersburgh Place
    London
    Eng-Greater London,
    England
    Post Code: W2 4JZ

    Thank you.
    Louis Pontecorvo
    Hi again,

    Just a few more info. Equal size-2 bedrooms/1 bathroom, 240 sq. ft., washer/dryer in unit, A/C, dishwasher, parking–2 spots included in the rent plus bicycle garage, safe neighborhood, nice neighbors, very quiet, no noise, close to transportation and everything else. It’s fully furnished, but i can rent it unfurnished also, same price if unfurnished, will use a moving company. As i said pets are allowed. Building has maintenance. The lenght of the lease is flexible: long/short term. I have to tell you that i am in Athens, Greece, i am here with a job contract for 5 years, i am in my first year now, i come to London every 6 months for 3 or 4 days and if you rent the apartment i will stay to a hotel. If you want to see the apartment i would need your address where the keys to be fedex-overnight to you, we will talk about the payment process for the GBP1,600 and about the other details, but, first, if there is somethig else that you want to know please feel free to ask.

    Thank you.
    Louis

    This is quite a long e-mail ,so, plese read it slowly and with attention, read it twice if you have to, i tried to explain the best as i could my proposal and things to be as clear as possible.

    So, i am having second thoughts, i am not feeling comfortable just sending you the keys, sorry, nothing personal. I have noone there to show you the apartment because my parents are in France since i was 24 and my best friend is out of state.

    I’ve contacted a company named ReMax. Their website is http://www.remax.com. They are a well known company all over the world, they have offices all over the world, they have an office in Athens, too. So, i went to their office in Athens and i told them that i have an apartment in London and i want to rent it and they told me that they have a service i can use, i will describe it below. I accepted it, paid the fees and now all is needed is a possible tenant.

    So, here is how it goes: first you must agree using the company, then I will contact the ReMax company and let them know you agreed using them, then they will send you an e-mail with all the instructions about how to proceed with the transaction, you then must send the money to the company, they’ll put the money in their trust account, then i have to send you the keys, your money will be held there until after viewing, along with the keys i will fedex the proof of ownership and a leasing contract (it’s a normal, standard contract), i will use FedEx-overnight and will provide the tracking number to you and to ReMax, you will have 5 days to go and see the apartment, if you decide to rent it you have to sign the lease, fedex-overnight it to me–keep a copy for yourself, notify Century21 that you accepted the apartment and they will release the money to me, if you dislike the apartment you have to notify ReMax and they will fully refund you, when you have the money in hands you will have to FedEx me the keys and provide me the tracking # (i pay the fees), you will also have to provide the tracking # to ReMax so they can track it too, when i receive the keys i will notify ReMax that i received it and the transaction is ended. The next step is to give me the OK to start this up with them and they’ll contact you. Giving the circumstances i am sure you understand that this is the best way to handle the transaction.

    I am sure you’re asking yourself why would you deposit any money before seeing the apartment, but, again, under the circumstances this is the best way. Anyway, your money will be safe with ReMax and will be refunded if you decide not to rent the apartment.

    I do not want to use a ReMax agent to show you the apartment or to whom you could give the money to because will involve realtor/broker fees and the fees are GBP800 which is huge. The service i’ve proposed above is much cheaper and i’ve paid the fees already.

    Let me know your decision. Let me know please what you decide. E-mail me ASAP.

    Thank you
    Louis

    You have to send them GBP800.
    I ‘ ve just received an e-mail letting me know that they sent you an e-mail with all the information you need to send the payment to Remax. Did you receive it? Check your Bulk/Junk folder as well.

    Regarding the lease agreement i could send it with the keys, it’s normal, standard lease, i’ll also send you the proof of ownership. It’s ok?

    I am waiting an email from you.

    Thank you.

    ok, i will do so, so, when exactly tomorrow will you send the funds so i can prepare everything for shipping?

    I am waiting an e-mail form you…”

59. San Francisco guy
    March 3rd, 2008 |

    Almost fallen for the San Francisco one! Called REMAX who told me it was a scam.

60. SF
    March 3rd, 2008 |

    I received the same emails verbatim as the #57 posting. Address: 1800 Washington St #216. SF CA 94109. What a waste of time. I told “Deborah Nguyen” that the money was not readily available and asked if “she” would agree to $500 deposit for the keys. She said yes, but my instinct informed me to contact a local ReMax agent to confirm the legitimacy of the transaction. I’m happy I did not transfer the money to Money Gram. These people need to be stopped.

61. Marin
    March 4th, 2008 |

    Exact same story…the emails I received from the scammer were exactly the same as those above- word for word, except this apartment was in San Diego. It was someone going by the name Vivian Brogan, still using ReMax. I was close to getting scammed but as I did a little more research…(why wouldn’t they give a phone number or any contact information…why would a professional company like ReMax have so many misspelled words, etc) and (thankfully) found this site, I realized this person and apartment was a joke . Anyways, thanks for starting this site, and be careful out there - unfortunately some people just have no shame!

62. Joel
    April 7th, 2008 |

    Journaling my experience with this scam here: http://whodoihavetoblow.blogspot.com/

63. Kisha
    April 11th, 2008 |

    I just dealt with this guy… thank goodness I do research! I saw the listing on Craigslist.org and contacted the guy via email… I received exact same responses. I had a friend look up the property on MLS and it was confirmed as same name for the email address. What this guy does is goes on MLS and gets the property owner’s information and creates an email account with that name. So it appears legit. But I received the “transaction” information from the supposed “Re/Max” agent in Greece and called local Re/Max offices to see if it was legit. It’s a scam! I acutally came across this blog because I took it a step further and googled the “return email address for Re/Max” where I was supposed to send the wiring info to.

64. tom
    April 14th, 2008 |

    deanrasmussensf@hotmail.com he’s using this address now for apartment in dallas. preying on those vulnerable looking for a cheap place quick here. glad for this website

65. Jono
    April 14th, 2008 |

    This scam is now hitting L.A.’s Craigslist with this ad

    Hi,

    The apartment is available now, flexible lease, i am the owner, 3rd floor, elavator, fully furnished, i can rent it unfurnished too, all the utilities are included ( water, garbage, electricity, heat..etc). Pets are allowed. I am renting the whole apartment for $1,300 per month. I am asking for 2 month’s rent payment plus 1 month as security deposit, the 2 months are for the 1st, 2nd and the deposit will be returned at the end of the lease. So, it’s a total of $3,900. If my terms are ok with you please reply back, if you have questions please free to ask. Here are photos: http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/georgeboedecker

    Address:
    8121 Norton Ave. # 303
    West Hollywood , CA 90048

    Thank you
    George Boedecker

    I even went around to the address above and had a look at it and sure enough Boedecker’s name was on the apartments buzzer. I replied to there email saying I was interested in see it and got this sent to me

    Hi again,

    Just a few more info. Equal size-2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, 1,300 sq. ft., washer/dryer in unit, A/C, dishwasher, parking –1 spot included in the rent, safe neighborhood, nice neighbors, very quiet, no noise, close to transportation and everything else. It’s fully furnished, but i can rent it unfurnished also, same price if unfurnished, will use a moving
    company. As i said pets are allowed. Building has maintenance - included in the rent price. The lenght of the lease is flexible: long/short term. I have to tell you that i am in Athens, Greece, i am here with a job contract for 5 years, i am in my first year now, i come to
    LA every 6 months for 3 or 4 days and if you rent the apartment i will stay to a hotel. If you want to see the apartment i would need your address where the keys to be fedex-overnighted to you, we will talk about the payment process for the $3,900 and about the other details, but, first, if there is somethig else that you want to know please feel free to ask.

    Thank you.
    George Boedecker

    I then stupedly sent him my address were to sent the keys. Then I got this email almost instantly, witch was strange because it was very long and detailed.

    This is quite a long e-mail ,so, plese read it slowly and with attention, read it twice if you have to, i will try to explain the best as i could my proposal and things to be as clear as possible.

    So, i am having second thoughts, i am not feeling comfortable just sending you the keys, sorry, nothing personal. I have noone there to show you the apartment because my parents are in France since i was 24 and my best friend is out of state. I am thinking that if i come and show it to you will be better, i will take a few days off from work and will fly out and show it to you.

    But i just can’t come there without having at least a guarantee that you are a serious about renting the apartment. Will be a long trip for me to do and also i will take the days off from work and i would like you to show good gaith and to use a way of doing the transaction to make us both feel right and secure about it.

    So, i’ve contacted the ReMax company, their site is http://www.remax.com, they have agencies in Athens too. I am sure you know what ReMax is. So, i made a contract with them, i paid EUR500 fees and here is how the transaction goes: you deposit a refundable deposit of $500 to the company’s safety account, they hold the funds while i will be there and show you the apartment, if you decide to rent it we will sign the leasing contract and pay me the $3,400. If you decide not to rent it the company will refund you for the $500 entirely within 24 hours.

    All i need to know is that you indeed want to rent the apartment and i wont waste my time flying there and taking off a few days from work for nothing. Of course, if you deposit the $500 will not guarantee me that you will rent the apartment, but i am sure that there is no reason why you would refuse it after viewing, if you like the pictures and the terms i promise you that there is no reason for you not to rent it and will do it in person which is much better for both.

    Again, if you deposit the $500 to the company’s account it will ease my mind about not flying there just for nothing because there are people that are just playing and you never know.

    The next step is for you to tell me that you agree with the transaction, then, according the contract i signed with ReMax i have to contact them and tell them to begin the process, they’ll send you an e-mail with all the instructions how to send them the $500, according to their contract you have to send the funds to their representative from Greece as i’ve chosen, i mean i would feel much secure if you will send the funds to their representative in Greece and that is how the contract was made. After you send them the funds next day i will speak to my boss and will fly out and show you the apartment, my boss already knows about the situation and she said that there is no problem for me to take a few days from work, but only in this period.
    Again, think about this 10 times and take 1 decission, i mean, if you ‘re not sure about this please tell me, do NOT tell me to tell them to start the transaction if you are not sure that you’re going to send them the $500, i do not want to waste eachother’s time. I am sure you understand, my terms are ok as far as i am concerned.
    The total amount ensured by the company, according to the contract i signed, is $3,900, so they’ll send you all the information for $3,900, but you can deposit only $500 to their safety account.

    Please think about this and give me a final answear.

    Thank you.

    My girlfriend and I knew it was a scam straite away this has to be a scam cause this lengthy reply came instantly.

    But I pessitsed and asked them to give me a call.

    They replyed

    Please tell me if you agree with my proposal.

    I sent back

    I agree with the terms if we can speak on the phone first.

    No reply…

    The lease on our apartment was getting very close to ending and we had not found any thing that we liked so I gave in and sent them an email say that I agree to the terms. This is what was sent back to me

    I started the transaction with Remax.com and they just sent me an email letting me know that they sent you all the information you need to begin this. Did you receive it? Check your Bulk/Junk folder as well.

    After you send the funds to ReMax we have to schedule a date when to book my flight and when to meet, ok?

    I am waiting an email from you.

    Thank you.

    A second email came in at the same time this was what was on it.

    Welcome to

    RE/MAX logo

    Nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX!

    For your safety, we have verified all the details of this transaction. We concluded that they are accurate. Please follow our instructions to complete the transaction.

    Item # Item Title Qty. Price
    360232022

    Keys for apartment in West Hollywood , CA on 8121 Norton Ave. # 303.
    1
    $3,900.00

    Transaction Insurance: Included

    Total:

    $3,900.00

    RE/MAX.com Transaction!

    Current status: Payment pending

    Complete your RE/MAX.com transaction in 7 easy steps:

    1. Landlord and tenant agree on the transaction terms and a renting price.
    2. Landlord contacts RE/MAX.com with the transaction details, RE/MAX.com accepts the transaction and offers purchase protection to the tenant (if the transaction is declined, no further action is required from either the tenant or the landlord).
    3. The tenant sends the funds to RE/MAX.com. Tenant will send the payment details directly to the RE/MAX.com’s email address. After the payment was received, RE/MAX.com must notify the landlord. The Landlord has three business days to send to the tenant and RE/MAX.com the tracking number of the shipment. If no tracking number is provided, a full refund is immediately sent to the tenant.
    4. Tenant receives the keys and has five days to check the property. If it is as described, the tenant should accept the keys and must notify RE/MAX.com. RE/MAX.com will then release the funds to the landlord. If Tenant refuses the apartment, Tenant must ship the keys back to the landlord within three business days and send to the tenant and RE/MAX.com the tracking number of the shipment. Then RE/MAX.com refunds the tenant and transaction is ended.

    Payment must be sent by Money Gram Money Transfer to:

    RE/MAX.com representative:

    Delmi Voight

    Address:

    189 Kifisias Str , 15124, Athens, Greece

    Next step to be taken: The tenant must send the payment to the RE/MAX.com

    Is our responsability to make every option safe and tell that this landlord is verified by our services and you can have all the trust in his requests.

    Payment instructions:

    To submit the payment with Money Gram Money Transfer:

    Pay for the transfer with cash at a local Money Gram agency. To locate the agencies in your area go to http://www.moneygram.com/eFindUs/findUs.do?countryCode=US&languageCode=en
    Go to one of them and send the payment to the RE/MAX.com
    representative.

    Money Gram Money Transfer is the only service that has ultimate authentication of the identity of the receiver of funds. Several IDs and utility bills are required before the funds are paid to the receiver. Therefore, no one else but the RE/MAX.com representative can pick up the money. We will not reveal the payment information to the landlord. Your money is safe with RE/MAX.com. Your payments cannot be lost in the mail, like money orders or checks.
    Because there are fees involved to send a Money Gram Money Transfer
    we have arranged with the landlord and ge agreed for you to deduct the fees from the amount insured (i.e. if it costs you $50 to send the payment, take it from the amount insured and send the balance). The landlord will refund you for the fees if you refuse the apartment after viewing. According to our policies the landlord deposited $100 to our company in order to cover the fees refund.

    Once the payment was sent, email to RE/MAX.com the following information:

    1. 8 digit Reference#
    2. Exact sender’s name on file with Money Gram:
    3. Exact receiver’s name on file with Money Gram:
    4. Your street address on file with Money Gram:
    5. City and country where you sent the money from:
    6. Amount sent:
    7. Attachment of scanned receipt from Money Gram
    8. Your cell and land phone number.

    Please send the payment information and receipt at
    athens-remax.com@california.usa.com. At the subject line please write
    “Item #360232022″.

    Conditions to be met before you may ask for a refund:

    Here are the situations suitable for a refund request:

    1. If the keys doesn’t arrive and/or the landlord stops communications prior the keys was received;

    2. If the apartment has different specifications than the ones you agreed on;

    3. If the keys arrives in a much longer period than the one you agreed on (more than 7 days from the payment clearance day);

    For cases 2. and 3. you have to send back the keys to RE/MAX.com prior to ask for your refund. You have to provide the tracking # to RE/MAX.com.

    Important Usage Guidelines:

    1. The contact information should only be used for resolving matters related to RE/MAX.com. Any other use is strictly prohibited.
    2. This transaction is protected by RE/MAX.com services such as insurance, feedback and dispute resolution.
    3. You may buy and sell with confidence in all transactions with this RE/MAX.com member.
    4. Should you need to dispute this transaction, keep the transaction number at hand when contacting RE/MAX.com. Any complaints must be filed within 90 days from the verification date.

    The landlord was informed about this transaction being started and we are awaiting your payment. It is recommended to send the payment as soon as possible, because your purchase protection is valid for 30 days only.

    To contact us or if you encounter any problems with this transaction, please contact us at athens-remax.com@california.usa.com.

    To ask for a refund, simply send us an e-mail and enter in the subject line:
    “Refund request for RE/MAX.com Transaction, item # 360232022″

    Do NOT reply to this message because you will not receive a response.

    Best regards,
    The RE/MAX.com Team

    At this point I was very unsure that there was any legitimacy to this as the terms of the transaction had changed form a $500 deposit for George to fly and meet with me to look over the apartment to the full deposit.

    My girlfriend sent me a post from Remax explaining that this was a scam and not to go any further or there would be hell to pay.
    Thats when I found this page and thank GOD.

    I looked up the IP address that the emails were sent from.

    205.188.144.208
    This IP may not be accurate as it is easy to change your IP. but is always the same on each email.

    Thank you so much for all the information on this page. It has saved me THOUSANDS.

    This scam is getting very slick having the name and address of the person that is actually living at the place that is being advertised.

66. Y
    April 14th, 2008 |

    george boedecker

67. meerkat
    April 14th, 2008 |

    These guys have come down to $500, so desperate to get people’s money. Scary that they are using real people’s names and addresses.
    Also, please leave a comment on his aol profile. At least, the scumbag cannot use this profile anymore and will have to create another aol profile.
    http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/georgeboedecker

68. Jon and Sara
    April 25th, 2008 |

    I just recently came across George Boedecker on Craigslist LA. Just like everyone described, he had an offer that WAS Too Good to be true. After emailing back and forth for about a week, my girlfriend and I felt comfortable with dealing with this man over seas. We did all the background checks possible, we made sure that George lived where he did, etc. Everything checked out. We agreed to send 500 dollars through money gram to be held by a remax agent. After this, he was supposed to book his flight out to see us and show the apartment. He also sent us a leaseing agreement. However, a day later he claimed that there was a problem with the contract he had with remax and we would have to send the rest of the money. That is where we got suspicious. I decided to call Athens Greece and speak to the owner of the remax we were dealing with. He had never heard of the agent that we were dealing with. He also told us not to do this deal because it was a scam. After this call, I went online and did a scam search…I found this website, and to my relief, my suspicion was correct. George Boedecker was not the real guy, this guy was a professional scam artist. He had stolen Georges identity. I read this whole page, I couldnt believe how many people this guy had scammed, all over the country! And, the letters he sent to everyone else, were the exact same! The only difference was the address, new fake name and the amount of money. Also, the money that we had secured through money gram, when we did a search, it had been taken out less than 12 hours after we sent it over.
    We learned our lesson with trusting strangers online and over seas. We were so fortunate to come across this site before we had blindly sent 4 grand away. Craigslist has been notified and now posts on the top of the page not to trust western union, money gram, remax or anything over seas. If you cant go see the place immediatley, it doesnt exist. There are several scamers out ther, this guy is one of the best. It’s only a matter of time until this scam artist gets scammed, the police know about this one and are not far behind his trail. Although, none of us who lost money will be reimburst, we can rest assured that he will get what’s coming to him…soon.

69. Ruthie
    May 8th, 2008 |

    SO tuesday March 6 i saw a post from “Dean Rasmussen” email rasmussendeanca@aol.com regarding a apartment 865 vallejo street 2bedroom. I was talking to the Director of security about the apartment and he said it sounded too good to be true and said he was going to look into it while i was at work and found t his website with his name all over it. Guy really is a weasel. Glad I found out now… before he tried to do anything further… Can’t be too safe these days… you have to do alot of home work before you even meet and greet at your posssible future apartment.

70. i
    May 9th, 2008 |

    Yup this guys is still active. After searching the internet I found your site. Thank goodness I found out now. Here is his last email to me:

    “Hi again,

    Just a few more info. Equal size-2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, 1300 sq. ft., washer/dryer in unit, A/C, dishwasher, parking–1 spot included in the rent-garage, safe neighborhood, nice neighbors, very quiet, no noise, close to transportation and everything else. It’s fully furnished, but i can rent it unfurnished also, same price if unfurnished, will use a moving company. As i said, pets are allowed. Building has maintenance-included in the price. The lenght of the lease is flexible: long/short term. I have to tell you that i am in Athens, Greece, i am here with a job contract for 5 years, i am in my first year now, i come to San Francisco every 7-8 months for 3 or 4 days and if you rent the apartment i will stay to a hotel. Please tell me a little about yourself, also i want to ask if you smoke, if you do in case we finalise this i would have to ask you not to smoke inside, i think it’s better for you to know this from the beginnning. I am not dealing with anyone at the moment because i didn’t answer to all the e-mails that came into my e-mail address due to lack of time. I don’t know how else to do this since i have noone there who i might send the keys to and show you the apartment and i am the only one who has the keys, so, if you want to see the apartment i would need your address where the keys to be fedex-overnight to you and we will talk about the payment process for the $3,500 and about the other details after viewing, if there is somethig else that you want to know please feel free to ask.

    Thank you.
    Dean”

71. Misha
    May 9th, 2008 |

    Same guy! Still active on Craigslist as “DEAN” in Greece!

    BE WARE!

72. Anonymous
    May 12th, 2008 |

    I have been scammed in another way. It is my unit that Dean Rasmussen has posted on Craigslist. Personally, it sucks having people come by your house and ring your bell thinking they are getting a great deal. Just a word to these people, remember… if it sounds too good to be true, then it is too good to be true.

73. Anonymous
    May 12th, 2008 |

    I also recently came across “Dean Rasmussen” in SF and in addition to what everyone else says about something sounding too good to be true, just remember to follow your gut instinct. One thing that threw me off was this line in his 2nd correspondence: “…if decide not to rent it after viewing the escrow company or the escrow agent will refund you entirely, this is how it works all over the world.” Sorry, but this sounded a little condescending to me, like sure, I bet that’s how they do it all over the world, for scammers, that is. His language was also a little weird, like “I would want to use ReMax to handle this for us, what do you say?” Already I was hearing tones of negotiation…But what ultimately caught me off guard was some of the pictures he posted at: http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/rasmussendeanca. Specifically, there are pictures hanging in the bathroom pics that seemed a little odd, especially for someone who went by Dean Rasmussen. So I started googling the name and came across a bunch of people, trying to figure out who this guy was and what his deal was. Fortunately, I went further in my attempts by googling his email address and found this site. I am really lucky and grateful, but at the same time, I really feel for all those that have been duped. Finding affordable housing can be frustrating and stressful, it is sick that people take advantage of people during their times of need.

74. Ella
    May 13th, 2008 |

    I’ve just come across this same guy posing as “George Boedecker” whilst looking for a place to rent in London - they’re going global.

75. J
    May 13th, 2008 |

    Saw his post on CL last week in SF for the Vallejo apt. I knew it was too good to be true when I got the reply that he’s in Greece. We’ve been stringing him for now. First he’d not reply until the wee hours of the night. Now that he thinks we’re gonna send him money, he’s answering around noon on the same day. Anyways, I think more importantly, we should note the person’s name that they are using as the contact to send the Moneygram to (even though they probably fake the ID as well). I’m sure it’s just some cartel and not one mastermind working this in different cities. We’ve notified Re/Max and planning to notify AOL too.

    Goes by rasmussendeanca@aol.com and the Re/Max contact is Lisa Mahon in Athens, Greece.

76. maringirl
    May 30th, 2008 |

    Well, it’s 2008 and this guy is still pulling the same crap!! Thanks for all the posts! I almost got scammed too! I told my husband i was skeptical but i thought i would reply back to his e-mail anyway. As soon as he said he was out of the country on business i knew it was a scam! So i googled his name and sure enough ended up here! Why can’t the cops catch this guy with soo many people getting in contact with him?? It’s so frustrating…Anyway glad i didn’t send him any money ( well, i wouldn’t have anyway). Hopefully he get’s caught. My husband owns a website so i’m gonna see if we can use some of manish’s tricks from an earlier post and get an ip address. Also, what i figured out in my investigating is what he/she/they are doing is going to ACTUAL real estate websites and taking pictures from there and putting them up on craigslits/the internet/yahoo etc. because i came across the EXACT same condo he is trying to scam me for in L.A. on Norton Street for sale on a realestate site for over $800k! I called the number and they really are selling the place. I told the realtor that there was a guy on Craigslist that took the exact same pics from her website and is posting them on craigslist as HIS apartment! I’ll check back if we find out who he is..good luck everybody!

77. too good to be true!
    May 30th, 2008 |

    This George Boedecker person is REALLY busy! I got the same email about a place in west hollywood. Did some digging around and he is using the name of the co-founder of CROCS! ironic that his postings are a croc of S***.

78. R
    June 24th, 2008 |

    Hey I just wanted to say thank you so much for this page on the scammers. I almost fell for it…I was going to go through with the transaction tomorrow. I googled “escrow procedure Greece” because I was having second thoughts and this page came up. My emails are identical, almost word for word, though the place is for Hoboken, NJ. The scammer’s email is njterminiello@aol.com. Thanks again!

79. C
    August 5th, 2008 |

    He is now a she, Anamika khanna to be exact. He/she is using the same crap, trying to sell an apartment in the SOMA area of San Francisco. DON”T FALL FOR THIS!! Thank goodness, I didn’t send money and found this site. Here are all the messages I received - hope they help others to avoid this jerk!:

    ***MESSAGE 1 ***
    Hi,

    The condo is available now, me and my husband are the owners trough our company KHANNA FAMILY 1994 TRUST, 4th floor, 2 elevators, fully furnished, i can rent it unfurnished too, all the utilities are included (water, garbage, electricity, heat..etc). Pets are allowed. This is not a share or something, the whole apartment is for rent and the price per month is $2,000. I am asking for 1 month’s rent payment plus 1 month as security deposit, the deposit will be returned at the end of the lease. So, it’s a total of $4,000. If my terms are ok with you please reply back, if you have questions please free to ask.
    More photos here: http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/anamikaca

    Address:
    88 TOWNSEND ST #418,
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107

    Thank you
    Anamika Khanna

    ***MESSAGE 2*****
    Just a few more info. Equal size-2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, 1200 sq. ft., washer/dryer in unit, A/C, dishwasher, parking — 1 garage included in the rent, safe neighborhood, nice neighbors, very quiet, no noise, close to transportation and everything else. It’s fully furnished, but i can rent it unfurnished also, same price if unfurnished, will use a moving company. As i said, pets are allowed. Building has maintenance-included in the price. The lenght of the lease is flexible: long/short term.
    I have to tell you that i am from Athens, Greece, i live here in Athens, i bought the apartment as an investment, i go to San Francisco every 7-8 months for 3 or 4 days and if you rent the apartment i will stay to a hotel. I don’t know how else to do this since i have noone there who i might send the keys to and show you the apartment and i am the only one who has the keys, so, if you want to see the apartment i would need your address where the keys to be fedex-overnight to you and we will talk about the payment process for the $4,000 and about the other details after viewing, if there is somethig else that you want to know please feel free to ask.

    Thank you.
    Anamika Khanna

    ***MESSAGE 3 *****
    I am having second thoughts, i am not feeling comfortable to just send you the keys without an ensurance first, sorry, nothing personal.
    Because i don’t want to stop this since we’ve been exchanging e-mails for a few days and i really want to rent the apartment i’ve made out some research and i want to use a third party, i’ve found out that TNT http://www.tnt.com (i am sure you know what TNT is) has a service that could help us do this transaction. So, here is how it works:

    A. I will deposit the keys and the necessary documents (a regular contract and proof of ownership) into a box at TNT and have it prepared for shipped onto my apartment’s address and under your name (to be able to sign for it and get in posession of the keys).
    B. You will receive an e-mail notification from TNT as a confirmation that the keys and the documents are in their custody.
    C. Then you have to send the $4,000 to the TNT safety account and they’ll hold it there until you decide if you rent the apartment or not.
    D. Then, they will ship the package at the apartment’s address under your name and I will schedule the delivery at the exact day and time you tell me you can be there to receive the keys and view the apartment.
    E. Delivery time: 1 day. When you get the keys and the documents you have the possibility to open the package in front of the delivery driver and open the door and view the apartment, etc., if you don’t like the apartment give the keys back to the delivery driver and within 24 hours they’ll refund you entirely, If you decide that you want to keep it tell them that and they’ll release the funds to me.

    This method is very simple and offers protection to both of us.
    Under this circumstances i see no other solution.
    I am sure you are thinking why do you have to put funds before seeing the apartment and why can’t you pay the delivery driver when he delivers the keys and the documents, but the delivery driver doesn’t handle cash or checks, this is for safety reasons and it’s easy to understand that.

    If you want to continue this please tell me and i will go to TNT and begin the transaction.

    Tank you.
    Anamika

    ****MESSAGE 4 *******
    I ‘ve started the transaction with TNT and they just sent me an email letting me know that they sent you all the information you need to begin this. Did you receive it? Check your Bulk/Spam folder as well.

    I was there this morning and gave them all the information, i bought a special box and put the keys and the documents in there, they have verified the content of it before closing the box. I have paid EUR170 for shipping and handling.
    I have tried to conduct this transaction in a safe, fast and professional manner, hope you apreciate my effort and now is your turn :).
    They said that the package will be on hold until i give them the exact day and hour when the delivery man to be at the address, so, please tell me an exact day and hour when you can be there to receive and sign for the package?
    Once i give them this information and you send them the funds they will put the package on move and we both can track it, but the delivery takes no more than 1 day, if you need more than 1 day they will deliver it later, but i would like this to happen faster because i need to end this up before i go in vacation and i am sure you want the same think too.

    In other words, i need an exact day and time for the delivery from you. Their system prepared the package for delivery on Monday, but if they wont receive an exact date and hour when you can be there and wont receive the funds until Monday they will continue letting the package on hold and i’ll have to pay extra storage.
    So, you have to follow their instructions in the e-mail they sent you. After you put the funds into their escrow account they will begin the delivery, in the package are 3 keys: 2 of the front door and 1 from the mail box, i also put a normal standard lease and proof of ownership. It’s ok?
    I have also attached here 2 documents they gave me after i paid the fees with my credit card. With one of them i’ll have to return to them after you give me the delivery information and i have to sign it and for them to fill in the new delivery date and hour fields, I have insured the package for $500 and i declared the value $4,000 in order for everything to be exactly as we spoke.

    I am waiting an email from you.

    Thank you.
    Anamika

    ****** FAKE TNT email ******
    Following is the fake receipt he/she forwarded from “TNT” telling me payment instructions. NOTE: this is how I found the scam. It seemed odd that it required a MoneyGram and sent to an unrelated address. I googled the address, and, up came this site with a listing from 2007!! I also called TNT to confirm the tracking number and they said they never accept MoneyGrams; and, they have no record of the tracking number listed. They said to “look out - there’s a scam going around….” And here is my “message from TNT”

    Welcome to TNT Greece. Our company is the European market leader in global express and international mail services

    TNT Express reduces risks associated with Internet transactions by acting as a licensed, trusted, neutral third party for on-line transactions. The seller leaves the merchandise into TNT Express custody. The merchandise will remain in TNT Express custody until the buyer provides the payment information to TNT Express. Once the funds are deposited in the TNT Express Safety account the merchandise will be send to the buyer. Once the buyer receives the merchandise and accept it the funds will be released to the seller, but only if the buyer is completely satisfied with the merchandise. If the buyer will not be satisfied with the merchandise, TNT Express will send the merchandise back to the seller and fully refunds the buyer within 24 hours.

    Shipping Information:

    Ship To:

    First Name

    Caitlin
    Last Name
    Ferrell
    Address

    88 TOWNSEND ST #418
    City/State
    San Francisco, CA
    PostalCode
    94107
    Country

    USA

    Shipper:

    First Name

    Anamika
    Last Name
    Khanna
    Address

    92 Vasilissis Sofias Str
    City/State
    Athens
    PostalCode
    11528
    Country

    Greece

    Package information:

    Service

    TNT Express
    Delivery
    1 day
    Shipment ID

    GE422598785GR
    Actual Weight
    0.77 lbs
    Billable Weight
    0.77 lbs
    Description

    3 Keys, documents

    Shipping Status: - On hold
    TNT Express is waiting for delivery schedule and then for the payment information for $4,000.
    TNT will hold the $4,000 in the safety account and not release it to the seller before the buyer contacts TNT to confirm acceptance of merchandise. The buyer will be refunded within 24 hours if not accepted the merchandise.

    Payment must be sent by Money Gram Money Transfer to the TNT agent:

    First/Last name

    Amber Harmon

    Address:
    63B Kifissias Ave., Athens, 61092, Greece

    Payment Instructions:

    To submit the payment with Money Gram Money Transfer:

    Pay for the transfer with cash at a local Money Gram agency. To locate the agencies in your area go to
    http://www.moneygram.com/eFindUs/findUs.do?countryCode=US&languageCode=en

    Go to one of them and send the payment to the TNT agent.

    Money Gram Money Transfer is the only service that has ultimate authentication of the identity of the receiver of funds. Several IDs and utility bills are required before the funds are paid to the receiver. Therefore, no one else but the TNT agent can pick up the money. We will not reveal the payment information to the seller. Your money is safe with TNT. Your payments cannot be lost in the mail like money orders or checks.

    Because there are fees involved to send a Money Gram Money Transfer we have arranged with the seller and agreed for you to deduct the fees from the amount insured (i.e. if it costs you $50 to send the funds to our agent take it from the amount insured and send the balance). The seller will refund you for the fees if you refuse the merchandise. According to our policies the seller deposited $100 to our company in order to cover the fees refund.

    Once the payment was sent, email to TNT the following information:

    1. 8 digit Reference#
    2. Exact sender’s name on file with Money Gram:
    3. Exact receiver’s name on file with Money Gram:
    4. Your street address on file with Money Gram:
    5. City and country where you sent the money from:
    6. Amount sent:
    7. Attachment of scanned receipt from Money Gram
    8. Your cell, land phone number and fax number.

    Please send the payment information and receipt at
    athens-tnt.com@california.usa.com. At the subject line please write “Shipment ID GE422598785GR”.

    Package Information
    Package 1 of 1 Package Type: TNT INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS BOX

    Billing Information for the Shipment

    Transit details
    Collection Delivery
    Country Greece United States
    Town Athens San Francisco
    Zip code 115 28 94107
    Collection date 8/1/08
    Total package details
    weight volume
    0.3kg 0.002m³

    Payment Method: VISA XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-2007

    Total: All currencies in EUR **170.22

    Packages
    TNT*Do not contact us by phone!!! We understand your desire to speak with someone on the phone. However, please understand that TNT’s primary focus is to provide support to our community through the most efficient methods available. We have found that providing email and Internet support allows us to give quick, reliable, and consistent answers to questions and concerns. Using email also allows us to document what was communicated in previous emails to you and to avoid duplication of responses.
    Phone support simply does not serve our members’needs as well as email does.

    To contact us or if you encounter any problems with this transaction, please contact us at
    athens-tnt.com@california.usa.com. At the subject line please write “Shipment ID GE422598785GR”.

    To ask for a refund, simply send us an e-mail and enter in the subject line: “Refund request for TNT Shipment ID GE422598785GR”.

    Best regards,
    TNT Express Team

    a TPG company
    Intellectual and other property rights to the information contained in this site are held by TNT Holding B.V. with all rights reserved © 2008

    Note that it is the same address in greece as some of the old ones listed above.

80. neilgmac
    August 16th, 2008 |

    Re: looking for broken canon sd750 - $1 (daly city)Saturday, August 16, 2008 10:10 PM
    From MrSSMiLy@aol.com Sat Aug 16 22:10:15 2008
    Return-Path:
    Authentication-Results: mta155.mail.re1.yahoo.com from=aol.com; domainkeys=neutral (no sig)
    Received: from 205.188.144.208 (EHLO imo-d22.mx.aol.com) (205.188.144.208) by mta155.mail.re1.yahoo.com with SMTP; Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:10:23 -0700
    Received: from MrSSMiLy@aol.com by imo-d22.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v38_r10.8.) id r.c34.3d0590e9 (41811) for ; Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:10:15 -0400 (EDT)
    From: MrSSMiLy@aol.com Add sender to Contacts
    Message-ID:
    Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:10:15 EDT
    Subject: Re: looking for broken canon sd750 - $1 (daly city)
    To: neilgmac@yahoo.com
    MIME-Version: 1.0
    Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=”—————————–1218949815″
    Content-Length: 1497

    Compact Headers
    yes i am… ill be in san jose tmrw

    above message was came from her full headers from email.

    JUST CURIOUS about this seller ive checked her “IP addres 205.188.144.208 ” showing KANSAS from this site http://www.find-ip-address.org/

    BUT she called me and shes from los banos CA and originally from Texas..

    were going to meet tomorrow in person!!

    i’m buying a broken camera from her.

81. faye
    August 24th, 2008 |

    This fucking site saved my ass! Seriously! I was just about to wire 4000 dollars to this skamerster called Kathleen from greece yesterday. When my roommate calls at the last second and tells me NOT TO SEND THE MONEY!

    Cant thank this site more!

    Thanks again,

82. faye
    August 25th, 2008 |

    BEWARE OF KATHLEEN EASTWOOD!

    Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 12:17:43 AM

    Subject: Re: I’m interested!

    I am having second thoughts, i am not feeling comfortable to just send you the keys without an insurance first, sorry, nothing personal.
    Because i don’t want to stop this since we’ve been exchanging e-mails for a few days and i really want to rent the apartment i’ve made out some research and i want to use a third party, i’ve found out that TNT http://www.tnt.com (i am sure you know what TNT is) has a service that could help us do this transaction.
    This provides me with security and assurance that i won’t lose my keys and that you get the chance to safely view the apartment in advance.
    This provides for me peace of mind that the transaction is safe, not for me only, but for you too because i wont send the keys without any protection and you wont send the funds without putting it in a trust account and have it refunded if you do not like the apartment.

    So, here is how it works:

    A. I will deposit the keys and the necessary documents (a regular contract and proof of ownership) into a box at TNT and have it prepared for shipped onto my apartment’s address and under your name (to be able to sign for it and get in possession of the keys).
    B. You will receive an e-mail notification from TNT as a confirmation that the keys and the documents are in their custody and that they verified and certify the package’s content.
    C. Then you have to send the $4,000 to the TNT safety account and they’ll hold it there until you decide if you rent the apartment or not.
    D. Then, they will ship the package at the apartment’s address under your name and I will schedule the delivery at the exact day and time you tell me you can be there to receive the keys and view the apartment.
    E. Delivery time: 1 day. When you get the keys and the documents you have the possibility to open the package in front of the delivery driver and open the door and view the apartment, etc., if you don’t like the apartment give the keys back to the delivery driver and within 24 hours they’ll refund you entirely, If you decide that you want to keep it tell them that and they’ll release the funds to me.

    This method is very simple and offers protection to both of us.
    Under this circumstances i see no other solution because i don’t have anyone there, i don’t want to send the keys to the doorman or something, simply i don’t want to involve any other third party than a specialised service as i described above.
    I am sure you are thinking why do you have to put funds before seeing the apartment and why can’t you pay the delivery driver when he delivers the keys and the documents, but the delivery driver doesn’t handle cash or checks, thinking at the apartment features and how it looks and the terms and the price i guess that this effort of putting the funds up front and then getting it back within 24 hours if you don’t like the apartment it’s a very good idea and the only way to do it in a safe, reliable, fast and cheap for both of us.

    If you want to continue this please tell me and i will go to TNT and begin the transaction.

    Tank you.
    Kathleen

83. Stephen
    October 23rd, 2008 |

    Yep, He is doing the rounds in San Francisco. I got an estate agent to check the Proprty Title with the name of the person and it was valid. However when he sent the email saying deposit $3K before I could see it I realized it was a 419.

    A common thing they do is use AOL as it will chop of the IP address of the originating computer.

    He was using the name “Dennis Sperlein”, and there really is such a person who does infact own the property and is completely innocent of any wrong doing. I feel bad for the real guy who’s name is getting abused. The address was 340 6th St. #303 San Francisco CA 94103.

    Sux for the waste of time, but at least I didnt loose any money.

84. Stephen
    October 23rd, 2008 |

    Oh, meant to say that I only put the above info on the location and owner so that anyone who google the name or location will hopefully find this thread and save them from any loss.

    Sorry to the real Dennis!

85. Jenn
    November 10th, 2008 |

    My Mom and I have been scammed by this person. I just googled scams and Remax and found out she is a fake. We are Hurricane Katrina victims from New Orleans and this makes her scamming even worse to do this to Hurricane victims.

    Hi,

    The apartment is available now, i am the owner, fully furnished, i can rent it unfurnished too, all the utilities are included (water, garbage, electricity, heat..etc). Pets are allowed. All the apartment is for rent and the price per month is $1200. I am asking for 2 month’s rent payment plus 1 month as security deposit, the 2 months are for the 1st, 2nd and the deposit will be returned at the end of the lease. So, it’s a total of $3600. If my terms are ok with you please reply back, if you have questions please free to ask.
    More photos here: http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/cstslptca

    Address:
    45 Legend Hills Drive #45,
    Edgewater, NJ 07020

    Thank you
    Heather Rosario

86. Lara
    November 25th, 2008 |

    Thank you so much for posting this. Thankfully, when I googled the first part of their email address: cstslptca, this page came up. They are advertising a 2 BR apartment at 111 Worth St, Tribeca NYC for just $1700 (1 mo rent + 1 month security). I thought it was interesting that when I looked up the listing on Craigslist, it was gone, but when searching for 111 Worth St, all other 2 BR listings were going for at least $3400 a month. Their emails said the exact same thing - that they are in Greece and come back to the city during the year. When I asked first to see the apartment, then for a contact number, both were denied. I feel sick that I actually thought this could have been true! Thank god I looked this up. See email below:
    ******************************************************************************************************************************
    Hi again,

    Jasu a few more info. I am asking for 1st month’s rent payment plus security deposit, it’s $3400 in total. Again, the rent per month is $1700.
    Equal size-2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, 1075 sq. ft., floor # 8, elevator, washer/dryer in unit, A/C, dishwasher, parking–1 spot included in the rent, safe neighborhood, nice neighbors, very quiet, no noise, close to transportation and everything else. It’s fully furnished, but i can rent it unfurnished also, same price if unfurnished, will use a moving company. As i said pets are allowed. Building has maintenance-included in the rent. The lenght of the lease is flexible: long/short term. I have to tell you that i am in Athens, Greece, i am here with a job contract for 5 years, i am in my first year now, i come to NY every 6 months for 3 or 4 days and if you rent the apartment i will stay to a hotel. If you want to see the apartment i would need your address where the keys to be fedex-overnight to you, we will talk about the payment process for the $3,400 and about the other details, but, first, if there is somethig else that you want to know please feel free to ask.
    Thank you.
    Mariah Rosario

87. almost taken in sf on 12/15/08
    December 16th, 2008 |

    The scammer posting in Sf is using Coldwell Banker as the holding of the funds agency. The apartment was really for sale and the scammer stole the photos from websites to post for the rental. The rental was at 219 Brannan Street #16k, renting for $1950 (selling for over 1.5 million). They are still using the Athens, Greece scheme. The name used for the apartment owner was Mariah Copolis (haven’t checked yet to see if it is the real owners name or a fake one). The name used to send the money gram through a Coldwell Banker account was Andreea Rawson and the address was 121 leoforos syggrou st. 11745, greece. This sight was a godsend. Thank you all!

88. almost taken in sf on 12/15/08
    December 16th, 2008 |

    Forgot to leave the scammers incoming email. It was from lisaaanewapt@aol.com!

89. Marquis
    February 9th, 2009 |

    Mariah Copolis, uses the email address okjiuimnj@aol.com is a scam artist on Craigslist. She used the same scam, of course I told her I was reporting her. No apartment in Hoboken, NJ on the river is $1600 per month. No where in Hoboken can you find such a deal. Beware of this Scam Artist

90. Marquis
    February 9th, 2009 |

    Robert Ruenzel is another scamster on Apartments.com. Offering a beautiful apartment in Jersey City, NJ for $1000 a month for 1br on the river. Too good to be true so i checked him out. NO record of him even living in New Jersey.

    Scam Artist Alert

91. Webster
    February 26th, 2009 |

    Got another one in NJ.

    The name s/he uses is Mariah Copolis.
    Her email address is lisamajutyynj@aol.com.

    Address of the place s/he was “supposedly renting” is 600 Harbor Boulevard, Weehawken, NJ.

    All the rest of the BS is the same…..

    S/he didn’t get far with me as I am always suspicious of things that are just “too good to be true!”

    Good luck to you all!

92. brenda
    February 27th, 2009 |

    I received the same spill about being in Athens, Greece on a 5 years work assignment. The owner name used was Mariah Copolis. The apartment address was 600 harbor blvd, Weehawkin NJ. I wish pictures can be up loaded so that the many potential renters can see if the pictures are the same across the globe. I woulb have been a nice catch if it was legit.

93. Los Feliz, CA
    February 27th, 2009 |

    Yes, I too replied to the Craigslist add. I actually requested that she FedEx the keys to my Apartment manager’s address. I also asked for her apartment manager’s name so that I could view the entire property. No response. I then googled Mariah Copolis and came here.

    Current e-mail address is: huygganca@aol.com
    apartment address and add: Re: $1200 2 bdrm on 4411 Los Feliz‏

    Great Site!!!! Many thanks to this site and everyone who has shared their stories…

94. Suspisious
    February 27th, 2009 |

    I live in Los Angeles and came across one of thier adds on Craig’s list. Sounded too good to be true so I googled her name (Mariah Copolis) and thankfully found this website. Thanks everyone for the warning.

95. Same deal in Hoboken
    April 1st, 2009 |

    EXACT same scammer!! Almost fell for it too. I received word-for-word the same emails, same Athens, Greece story, etc. The name used for the owner was Karina Johnson. We haven’t gotten to the part where “he” asks for the money yet, but can’t WAIT to reply. Thanks SOOO much for posting this info. I would hate to have lost the deposit.

96. K. habazz
    April 27th, 2009 |

    This person changed their M.O. They are going by Mariah and in one case, Lisa. Once I informed her/him I was a cop, all communications ceased. I sent them a request from my other account, and got the same form letter back. I was just wondering why they weren’t flagged on Craigslist.org. Now, I know; because they used a different name.

97. happens in australia
    May 7th, 2009 |

    hey guys i almost got it. this time she told me to send the money bu western union and the keys plus contract will be send by tnt. called tnt straightaway and they said its a scam. so lucky otherwise i will lose $2000 just like that.

    her name is elizabeth thomas. email address: elizabeth.thomas41@yahoo.com. Claim to be working in italy for 3 years. its just sound to good to be true.

    just beware for people out there.

98. Still on craigslist San Francisco
    June 12th, 2009 |

    A couple of weeks ago I responded to an ad on craigslist San Francisco for an apartment in the Diamond Heights area. The apartment seemed under priced, but not so under priced that I was immediately wary. The apartment was in a complex, and lots of apartment complexes post ads with pictures of their model units which are nothing like the unit you actually get, so the fabulous pictures didn’t really set off too many alarm bells either.

    For weeks I didn’t get a response so I figured the apartment was rented and forgot about it.

    Today I get a short, not well written email from the lisamajutyynj@aol.com scammer claiming that the apartment owner is in London and I need to send them the money to get the keys. I especially liked the fact that they never mentioned how much money they wanted; clearly they are losing their touch. Sigh. I’ve reported this to craigslist and told the scammer to get lost.

    Be careful out there!

99. Burkhard
    July 21st, 2009 |

    Mariah Copolis is now named “Norma Gabler” and trying to do the scam in Berlin, Germany, with the following e-mail address: okjiuimnj@aol.com.

100. Another ad on Craigslist in San Francisco
     July 29th, 2009 |

     She/he did it again. Going by the name of Rachel Green. Using the email: lisamajutyynj@aol.com. After googling the email address, and finding this very helpful site I told her that I wasn’t interested in loft anymore, and I received the following email. BE CAREFUL!!!

     Hello,

     I will not be able to show the apartment in erson because i am writing from Zurich, Switzerland. I do not want to fly out all the way to US without first being sure that you are serious about the apartment, no offence. So, as sign of good faith i would propouse to make a wire transfer for the $2800 to someone you trust like a friend or a relative you have. Then e-mail me the receipt and then i will fly out and show you the apartment. For the wire transfer use money gram because i can call them and they have a robot that will allow me to type in your name, the receiver’s name and the reference number on the receipt and their robot will confirm if the funds is there or not. Once i get the confirmation i will fly out to show you the apartment. If you don’t know what money gram is or have other questions please e-mail me , ok? This is the only way to do it. I don’t want to use a broker, i don’t have anyone in us and i don’t want you to send me a bank statement. I had a bad experience 1 month ago with someone who made me fly for nothing to us and i don’t want to get burned again, no offence.

     You can find a money gram location here:
     http://www.moneygram.com/eFindUs/findUs.do?countryCode=US&languageCode=en

     Rachel

101. ako
     August 29th, 2009 |

     Dear friends,

     I’m just in e-mail exchange for a flat with this person or organisation. As it looked too good to be true, I decided to make an Internet search and found this page.

     What can I do to help getting these guys caught?

     Kind thanks,

     ako

102. YZ
     August 31st, 2009 |

     Leave a comment here with the email address of the scammer and the address of the property. This is found to be useful for others. I am not sure much can be done to catch these scum bags. All we can do is prevent other folks from losing thousands of $$$.

103. YZ
     September 20th, 2009 |

     It is unbelievable that these scum bags are operating in Vancouver too. I am looking for a place in Vancouver and I see the same thing here. But, here they are operating for a lot less than San Francisco.

     Here’s the email that I got from the cheapos-
     ———We are looking for responsible tenants that is going to be taking good care of our apt while we are away and we will be trusting you that you are going to be taking good care of our apt as we left it,the apartment is for long term and short term lease is also acceptable.Here is the address of the apt 1155 Seymour st Vancouver (Downtown) British Columbia V6B 1K2.The rent is $750 per month,Damage Deposit $550 which include the utilities such as Water/Sewer,heat,hydro,gas,internet access e.t.c

     Address is
     1155 Seymour st Vancouver (Downtown) British Columbia V6B 1K2
     _____________
     Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in our file in case 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 key to you,please we are giving you all this base on TRUST and again i will like to tell you that there is no way you can view the interior because the keys and the document is here with me in Portland,Oregon and you driveby and view the exterior of the apartment for you to know where the apartment is located and i have attached the pictures of the interior pics for you to have an idea how the inside looks like.

104. YZ
     September 20th, 2009 |

     Email addr of the scammer in Vancouver is
     crystalfamily40@yahoo.com, Crystal and Rodger, Crystal family.

105. Malia Novak
     December 9th, 2009 |

     The same thing just hapened to me! The important lesson is to never wire money overseas to unknown accounts…duh…and that Remaxoverseasrentals doesn’t exist!!!!

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