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2007 Tradeshow
DEPOSIT SCAM
- posted November 23, 2006
Some of our members have advised they have been approached to enter into a scam that could be extremely costly to landlords. We received copies of e-mails and in every case, the prospective tenant describes himself as a professional – however, the manner in which the e-mails are written suggests otherwise. We even received one where a “widow” is looking for assistance!
There is a recurring theme with each e-mail. Although the names are changed, age and profession, number of children, tragic life circumstances and involvement in a very important private project, there is always a trusted “agent” who will be glad to accept money from you to assist their client!
The scenario goes something like this .... A prospective tenant (from the U.K.) offers a large amount ($6,000 - $8,000) to cover the first month's rent and security deposit. He requests that the excess be sent immediately to his agent in another area (Eastern Canada, U.S. etc.) Then, a family disaster occurs, he cannot rent the property and asks that his money be returned. (This all occurs in a very short period of time). The tenant’s cheque or bank draft is eventually returned as having been stolen or altered, making it worthless. In the meantime the landlord has issued the supposed excess to the agent and possibly the tenant.
Fortunately, the companies that received the following e-mails did not fall into the trap. They offered to share them with us so our members could get an idea of how this scam works. There are many variations of these letters, but all have overlapping similarities.
Subject: PAYMENT AND MOVING IN PLANS
Hi:
Thanks for the response,well for now what have in mind is 6months and if i enjoy the place could have it extended to 1 year ok?i love straight forward and down to earth people,i just made arrangement now, as to how you will get the payment across to you there . i just finalised with an associate of mine now,and he has agreed to send you the payment inform of bank drafts and this will be stress free and will really speed up your payment and my move in. i have made a solid arrangement with my long time shipping agent who will be on ground to have my belongings brought over as soon as you confirm payment. Please as regards the bank draft.Concerning all paper works that would be done on arrival prior to my move in. Please re-confirm and send to me the beneficiary name that will be endorsed on the bank draft and also your full mailing address inclusive telephone number.As regard rent payment, you will be receiving a payment of $6000, and you will have to deduct the first month rent and security deposit and you will have to send my balance to my shipping agency that will be responsible for the shipping of my stuff over to the place am renting from you.my stuffs include my laptop and some art works with my personal belongings.i hope i can trust you with my balance that will be sent to my shipping Agent.
Do get back to me with your contact details like this:
Name you want on bank draft, phone number/office number.
i wait to read from you soon.
Cheers
Good day,
i am from Ireland .i work as an architect in dublin i am 46 years of age, i came across this posted place available for rent, i 11 like to know if its still available. i am a professional architect and, I am in desperate need of a good appartment that is very comfortable and also condusive for my work and also my personal projects which i am working on right now. i am single for now. Lost my wife to a motor accident and i have a lovely daughter she is 6yrs old she is on break for now so i want her to come over with and experience life in Canada .she always wished to visit, and also make plans changing her school. i work very hard day and nite for my self and my daughter and also wish my late wife was here with me. i intend working on a big project coming up soon. in which i need privacy and time to work on this project in Canada. Right now i will want to know if the house is still for rent and also the details on the house so we can proceed and have things done by today concerning the rent kindly email this to me. there are questions i want you to email me back with concerning the appartment..
1 what is the cost of the appartment per month and how long do i pay for and move into the place
2 the location
3 i will need more pictures of the house
i will be expecting to read answers to my mail and also make arrangements to for my arrival as i need the place urgently, and also feed me back with the total cost of everything. thanks and hope to hear from you soon . good morning.
Hello, i am a computer analyst and am 42 years of age. i reside in Ireland, i came across the posted place available for rent. i ll like to know if its still available. i am a professional, i am in desperate need of a place that is very condusive for my private project which should take up soon. My project is related to computer softwares and design. i write programs and design them as well. i am a widower, just lost my wife to cancer last month so i want to relocate. i get more grieved when i remember somethings about her and when i visited the shrink I was told to vacate our appartment, that’s the reason why i am moving and also because its kind of affecting my work. So kindly email me again with the below details so we can proceed and have some things done concerning the Rent. i am an open minded person that would get along with anyone, email me with answers to the following question.
HOW MUCH IS THE ROOM PER MONTH?
HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY TO MOVE INTO THE PLACE?
WHAT LOCATION IS IT?
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR?
CAN I SEE PICTURES OF THE PLACE?
Please, i’ll like to know the total move in cost as well as the picture of the place as i will not be able to check out the place until my arrival, so that i can make arrangement for payment prior to my arrival since i’ll be moving down from Europe as soon as i’m able to secure a comfortable place. Please its quite urgent. i will be expecting to read answers to the above questions soon.
Thanks
Hello,
i am an engineer. i formally work with hellicopters down here in England. i just retired. Am 62 years of age with four kids but only i and my daughter are staying together cause my other kids are married and working and i just lost my wife 2 years ago. i reside in England, i came accross the posted place available for rent. i ll like to know if its still available. i am a professional, i am in desperate need of a place that is very condusive for my private project which should take up soon. Kindly email me again with the below details so we can proceed and have some things done concerning the Rent. I am an open minded person that would get along with anyone, email me with answers to the following question.
HOW MUCH IS THE ROOM PER MONTH?
HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY TO MOVE INTO THE PLACE FOR LIKE.?
WHAT LOCATION IS IT?
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR?
CAN I SEE PICTURES OF THE PLACE?
Please, i’ll like to know the total move in cost as well as the picture of the place as i will not be able to check out the place until my arrival, so that i can make arrangement for payment prior to my arrival since i’ll be moving down from England as soon as i’m able to secure a comfortable place. I will be expecting to read answers to the above question soon.
Cheers
------------
Our member responded:
Just check out the advertising list. Everything’s there and I don’t know about the move in cost.
------------
He wrote:
Hi
Thanks for the response, well for now what have in mind is 6months and if i enjoy the place could have it extended to 1 year ok? i love straight forward and down to earth people, i just made the arrangement now, as to how you will get the payment across to you there. i just finalized with an associate of mine now, and he has agreed to send you the payment inform of bank drafts and this will be stress free and will really speed up your payment and my move in. i have made a solid arrangement with my long time shipping agent who will be on ground to have my belongings brought over as soon as you confirm payment. Please as regards the bank draft. Concerning all paper works that would be done on arrival prior to my move in. Please re-confirm and send to me the beneficiary name that will be endorsed on the bank draft and also your full mailing address inclusive telephone number. As regard rent payment, you will be receiving a payment of $6000 and you will have to deduct the first month rent and security deposit and you will have to send my balance to my shipping agency that will be responsible for the shipping of my stuff over to the place am renting from you. my stuffs include my laptop and some art works with my personal belongings. i hope i can trust you with my balance that will be sent to my shipping Agent.
Do get back to me with your contact details like this:
Name you want on bank draft:
Home Address:
City:
State:
Postal Code:
Country:
Phone Number/Office Number:
i wait to read from you soon.
------------
She wrote: You need to fill in the application still in order to be qualified as a tenant. Let me know and I will email it to you.
Thanks.
------------
He wrote:
Yea I know that so let me have the form and advice me on where and whom to have the payments sent to and i ll do that right away amd have the form filled out and bring it along on my arrival ok??
------------
She wrote:
Once you arrive here call me and I need to see you and I don’t guarantee that you will get the place – if it’s still available that’s your chance.
------------
He wrote:
Ok thenks i wll try to have a speedy delivery of payment where exactly do i have it sent to??
Hello, i am a widow who just lost her husband due to an accident in the united kingdom, i need to relocate due to this tragic incident, I would like you to forward to me pictures of the place and the cost I would be incurring to secure this place, I would be glad if you can assist me in making my relocating stress free and easy.
Thanks for the swift response, i am having some little problems with cashing international money orders down here, i would like to seek for your assistance as a widow in cashing this, my husbands best friend wants to make out this payment to me as a compensation for my husbands death. i would like to confirm from you and i also seek your trust on this, the amount that intends to be sent is $3000,let me know if you can help with this, if yo would i would be needing your fullname that would be on the check and also your full mailing address to have it mailed out to you.
We urge caution on the part of our members. If you find yourself in a similar situation, do nothing. Do not respond to an e-mail, or enter into any business dealing that sounds suspicious. When in doubt, contact the Better Business Bureau and the Calgary Police Service.
LAUNDRY ROOM BREAK-INS
One of our service providers has advised us that there have been many break-ins involving coin-operated laundry machines. Owners who manage their own machines should remember to empty them regularly to discourage thieves.
Remember that break and enters result in losses from damaged machines and buildings in addition to lost revenue. Break and enters are a factor in tenants' security and feelings of well-being.
Please encourage your tenants to be alert and report any suspicious activities to the Calgary Police Service - 266-1234.
Community Safety and Security Advisories
www.calgaryblockwatch.com
Remember the Apartment Watch Theme: "Don't Know Them, Don't Let Them In".
