Craiglist Scams (Huntsville, Saks: renters, houses, transfer)

[Elizabeth_G]

One of my agents received a call today...someone had snagged a listing from our MLS and listed it on Craigslist as a rental, claiming to have moved to Nigeria. This is really starting to become a big problem. The listing was an upper end property and the lease amount was very low, for that sized home.

Be VERY careful when using Craigslist. The scams are becoming more frequent. If it sounds too good to be true, it IS too good to be true! Never send them money...always insist on meeting them at the house (and for goodness sake, don't go alone).

[Ketabcha]

"Moving to Nigeria" is a huge red flag.

[mike0618]

why anyone would send anyone money without walking a property I dont understand.

[harry chickpea]

You can flag the scam posts on Craigslist and force the scammers to easier pickings. I do that regularly.

[talenagarrett]

I have been scamed by craigslist before to, I have advertised my childcare on there but all people keep sending me messages like that. They offer me a job and then tell me they are going to send me a cashiers check, but they tell me when I get it to cash it then send some of it western union to somewhere else.

[marmac]

It must be tough for the honest people in Nigeria.

Anytime " Nigeria" is mentioned on an internet buy/sell site, I lust presume it's a scam.

[phantomplan]

I've heard about something like this happening with new subdivisions as well, where onsite agents will just give a person a builder's key that gets into all the unsold houses in the subdivision. The scammer actually took the unsuspecting renters inside various finished houses claiming they were going to be rentals, and the renters gave the scammer the first month's rent upfront. Very weird

[Huntsvegas29]

funny that you bring up Nigeria. This is what was in my inbox this morning: Maybe I'm too trusting but this guy seems totally legit

LAGOS, NIGERIA.

ATTENTION: THE PRESIDENT/CEO

DEAR SIR,

CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL

HAVING CONSULTED WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND BASED ON THE INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THE NIGERIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO REQUEST FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE TO TRANSFER THE SUM OF $47,500,000.00 (FORTY SEVEN MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) INTO YOUR ACCOUNTS. THE ABOVE SUM RESULTED FROM AN OVER-INVOICED CONTRACT, EXECUTED COMMISSIONED AND PAID FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS (5) AGO BY A FOREIGN CONTRACTOR. THIS ACTION WAS HOWEVER INTENTIONAL AND SINCE THEN THE FUND HAS BEEN IN A SUSPENSE ACCOUNT AT THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA APEX BANK.

WE ARE NOW READY TO TRANSFER THE FUND OVERSEAS AND THAT IS WHERE YOU COME IN. IT IS IMPORTANT TO INFORM YOU THAT AS CIVIL SERVANTS, WE ARE FORBIDDEN TO OPERATE A FOREIGN ACCOUNT; THAT IS WHY WE REQUIRE YOUR ASSISTANCE. THE TOTAL SUM WILL BE SHARED AS FOLLOWS: 70% FOR US, 25% FOR YOU AND 5% FOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPENSES INCIDENT TO THE TRANSFER.

THE TRANSFER IS RISK FREE ON BOTH SIDES. I AM AN ACCOUNTANT WITH THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC). IF YOU FIND THIS PROPOSAL ACCEPTABLE, WE SHALL REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

(A) YOUR BANKER'S NAME, TELEPHONE, ACCOUNT AND FAX NUMBERS.

(B) YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS -- FOR CONFIDENTIALITY AND EASY COMMUNICATION.

(C) YOUR LETTER-HEADED PAPER STAMPED AND SIGNED.

ALTERNATIVELY WE WILL FURNISH YOU WITH THE TEXT OF WHAT TO TYPE INTO YOUR LETTER-HEADED PAPER, ALONG WITH A BREAKDOWN EXPLAINING, COMPREHENSIVELY WHAT WE REQUIRE OF YOU. THE BUSINESS WILL TAKE US THIRTY (30) WORKING DAYS TO ACCOMPLISH.

PLEASE REPLY URGENTLY.

BEST REGARDS

ISSAC IDENIJI

[Elizabeth_G]

Phantom: Have you heard of them doing that hear in Huntsville? If so, I need to let our Board of Realtors know so they can make "another" alert.

The person that called us was SO UPSET that it was a scam...why anyone would think they could rent a luxury home for $950 per month is beyond me. They were furious because they wanted that house for the listed price. Crazy!

Yes, Nigeria should have been a HUGE red flag. Some people still don't understand how many scams are being carried out on CL lately and just go for it. Ugh!

Huntsvegas: Maybe we can pool our money and open a Nordstroms? Hey, a Saks as well! (Charles and HB2HSV, we'll give your wives a 10% discount, lol). I have won the same lottery and several more Between the 2 of us I bet we are filthy rich!

[Rickers]

I play with scammers and waste their time, it's called "scambaiting " and it can be fun. Be careful though if you engage in scambaiting as a hobby.