Interesting Few Days

[teachnlearn]

Almost bought a house this summer and found it had problems so we decided no. Our trips have averaged 7 to 8 hours one way, which doesn't work well when the realtor says, 'I've got one that won't last long, come see it quick'.

We decided to try to rent a place in the area on a month by month basis. Found a house a few days ago and sent email.  Man wrote he was a Rev, owned the house, but he was 'called to another state.' , AL.  After the basics he wants me to copy and email my drivers lic. Then he says the house rent comes with all utilities and 'Hydro'. Then he went in for the kill today and writes, he needs 500 wire transferred to his 'lawyer' in another state, MI.  His English was a bit broken.

No, i didn't email my state lic or send $500.

Today I emailed, we were thrilled to get the house. I talked to my relatives and they would buy us flight tickets and a hotel stay to complete the deal. SO just supply his address, or his lawyers office address, in another state. We will fly there, finish the paperwork and hand over the deposit. Now all he has to do is be in AL with an actual address, and state drivers lic to identify himself, or the person that is a lawyer is going to need a law degree and state lic in MI along with a business address in their name, to meet us and get their $500.

Found this rental on Zillow, so I turned the email over to the city police that has the 'rental house'. Someones house is being used for a scam. Figured if the police  want to arrest someone they can take up the email and complete the deal themselves.

This 'Rev' wants me to wire transfer the money to a specific person in a specific state, rather than overseas So its a US crime. Police may not look into it, but I hope they notify the person that owns the house. Someone is going to be at their door ready to live there. RJF

[Foxfold]

Good Grief, what's the world coming to ????

[meflick]

Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. My niece had a similar story, “owner” was out of state and wanted to do it all by mail. Fortunately they figured out it was a scam before turning over any $. NEVER do anything like that by mail, if they can’t meet you at the house and do the deal in person, then don’t do it. Even if they do meet you in person,  VERIFY Ownership, it’s all public record just have to check property records. Better safe then sorry. Too may scam artists out there looking to separate good people from their $.

[teachnlearn]

Here is a bit of the first email, shortened it. I was curious and tried to find the owner of the address. Haven't found it. RJF

 

 

Zillow listing    https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1817-S-Ralston-Ave-Independence-MO-64052/2317575_zpid/

 

Am sorry for the late response. It's my great pleasure that you are interested in our lovely home for rent.My name is Rev. Jim Christopher am the owner of this home, Actually we resided in this home before and presently we have packed out due to my transfer as a matter of my profession, where I work as a volunteer with Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability (ECFA) I am here in Brent, Alabama. And my wife who is a missionary's dealing with Bible Translation and literacy worldwide...Please i want you to note that i spent a lot on my property that i want to give to you for rent, so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and want you to treat it as your own, It is not the money that is the main problem but i want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat when i come for a check up. I also want you to let me have trust in you as i always stand on my word. Me and my wife bought the house when we got married. When we left the state i had a thought of selling the house so i have to look for an agent, after getting one, we got a deal but later my wife advised against that. I reasoned with her and accepted her advise. So i contact the agent back and requested for my keys and documents. Later we decided to have the house rent out our-self, we would have give the same agent this job also but the truth of the matter is that the agent would want to handle it professionally and the occupant may not be able to reason along with him later. If you notice, you will discovered that the price we are offering is far below standard price, this is enough for you to know that we are not after the rental fee but the absolute care for the property. 

 

The house include the utilities like Heat, A/C in wall/window, Hydro, cable, Garbage Disposal, Fireplace ,Fridge, stove, Dishwasher, Dryer, Breakfast Bar, Dining Table and Sofa Set,Refrigerator,Canopied deck overlooking nature.,internet access e.t.c. because of this reason and more we need a responsible person  that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money, but want it to be clean and for you to take it as if it were yours.

 

This is the address of the House (1817 S Ralston Ave, Independence, MO 64052)

The rent is: $700

Security Deposit: $500

2 beds / 1 baths available now

cats are OK - purrr

dogs are OK - wooof

wheelchair accessible

house

 

SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW.

YOU CAN CALL ME OR TEXT ON THESE NUMBER:

(469) 312-8897

Rev. John Christopher

 

[Rockytime]

I just sold my Hawk to a young lady for cash. The first person to answer my craig's list ad answered within 15 minutes of it being posted. Said it looked just like what he wanted but was unable to come see it. He wanted to send me a check for $3000, have me wait seven days for it to clear and keep $500 plus another $100 for my trouble and give the rest to the agent who would pick up the saw. He did not say if it was a cashier's check which I am sure it would be which takes a minimum of 30 days to clear. I was born at night but not that night. I said no deal and he kept texting me which I ignored. This goes on all the time and it must work because people keep doing it.

[Rockytime]

6 minutes ago, teachnlearn said:

Here is a bit of the first email, shortened it. I was curious and tried to find the owner of the address. Haven't found it. RJF

 

 

Zillow listing    https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1817-S-Ralston-Ave-Independence-MO-64052/2317575_zpid/

 

Am sorry for the late response. It's my great pleasure that you are interested in our lovely home for rent.My name is Rev. Jim Christopher am the owner of this home, Actually we resided in this home before and presently we have packed out due to my transfer as a matter of my profession, where I work as a volunteer with Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability (ECFA) I am here in Brent, Alabama. And my wife who is a missionary's dealing with Bible Translation and literacy worldwide...Please i want you to note that i spent a lot on my property that i want to give to you for rent, so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and want you to treat it as your own, It is not the money that is the main problem but i want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat when i come for a check up. I also want you to let me have trust in you as i always stand on my word. Me and my wife bought the house when we got married. When we left the state i had a thought of selling the house so i have to look for an agent, after getting one, we got a deal but later my wife advised against that. I reasoned with her and accepted her advise. So i contact the agent back and requested for my keys and documents. Later we decided to have the house rent out our-self, we would have give the same agent this job also but the truth of the matter is that the agent would want to handle it professionally and the occupant may not be able to reason along with him later. If you notice, you will discovered that the price we are offering is far below standard price, this is enough for you to know that we are not after the rental fee but the absolute care for the property. 

 

The house include the utilities like Heat, A/C in wall/window, Hydro, cable, Garbage Disposal, Fireplace ,Fridge, stove, Dishwasher, Dryer, Breakfast Bar, Dining Table and Sofa Set,Refrigerator,Canopied deck overlooking nature.,internet access e.t.c. because of this reason and more we need a responsible person  that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money, but want it to be clean and for you to take it as if it were yours.

 

This is the address of the House (1817 S Ralston Ave, Independence, MO 64052)

The rent is: $700

Security Deposit: $500

2 beds / 1 baths available now

cats are OK - purrr

dogs are OK - wooof

wheelchair accessible

house

 

SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW.

YOU CAN CALL ME OR TEXT ON THESE NUMBER:

(469) 312-8897

Rev. John Christopher

 

This guy is a Reverend? Every reverend I've ever known had a good command of the English language. This guy is an illiterate con man!

[teachnlearn]

I've seen different scams. I have used Zillow to search for houses. I am a bit surprised, they found a listed house and have used it for this week with out any change in Zillow information. There is posting of offers, take off market, pending. I assume they have watched it enough that the house isn't moving and the seller isn't doing anything with the Zillow listing.

I've had 5 more emails from this guy today. Its interesting he still thinks hes going to get me to wire him money. We I wrote we would flight down and meet him, he had a wedding to go to in Australia and said his lawyer would handle it. I wrote we will flight to his lawyers office, met and sign, since its not legal without our signature. He ask me to list our phone number so his lawyercould call to explain we don't need to be at the office. I just wrote back, he had to know his lawyers name and business name and business address. We are packing for the flight and will contact the office when we are ready. He is silent so far.

I've gotten the prince and lost money bit for years. When this started I looked it up and didn't know they will break in a house, and show you around and its not theirs. We have rented a bit, been married 30 years and hoping to have our first house. Have to watch the house sale is legal, the way its going. RJF

[GrampaJim]

12 hours ago, Rockytime said:

This guy is a Reverend? Every reverend I've ever known had a good command of the English language. This guy is an illiterate con man!

yup. That was my first clue too.  Every Rev. I know (and that a bunch) never flaunts it! 

[meflick]

When the deal is too good to be true - it usually is. Even a Reverend is not going to ask for rental rate far below the standard price for the area. There is no agent, because it's not a legit deal.

13 hours ago, teachnlearn said:

we would have give the same agent this job also but the truth of the matter is that the agent would want to handle it professionally and the occupant may not be able to reason along with him later. If you notice, you will discovered that the price we are offering is far below standard price,

 

13 hours ago, teachnlearn said:

The house include the utilities

They claim the utilities are included because they don't want you going to the utility company and trying to get them setup in your name to discover that it is a scam.

The poor English its self from the email would have also been a red flag to me.  I'm glad that you were not taken.  I would quit wasting my time with this man - tell him I had reported it all to the local police and then block his number on my phone.

[teachnlearn]

I wrote several emails to him informing him we were extremely interested. In fact our in laws gave us money for hotel and flight to either his address or his lawyers. Told him our family could have a little vacation, talk with him in person. He said he was going to a wedding and his lawyer in MI would handle it. I wrote, 'fine', give us his lawyers business address and phone. I will contact her secretary, setup an appointment and fly out to meet her. We will even have dinner out with her.

For some reason he hasn't written back. Gee, I though he wanted his deposit and rent money. HUH. His number is in the US and his directions for the wire transfer is in the US. Forwarded the emails the the Independence Police. Also forwarded his ad. He suddenly stopped. Wondered if the police wrote him, with an offer and he is chasing that offer. One of the times I think some of the people involved are in the US. RJF