Could this be a scam?

[sylvester37]

I found an ad on craiglist for a house rental and emailed the people. I am unsure if this could be a scam or not. What do you think? THANKS!

This is the email i recieved:
(i edited out personal info)

Hello,
Thanks for the email. I (name) owns the house and also it is situated and also want you to know that it was due to my transfer that makes me and my Family to leave the house and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take a very good care of it as we are not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean all the time and the possible tenant will see the house as his or her own.

We have left the US and we are currently in the West Africa for a program called 'World Conference Against Racism Youth Summit, Empowering youth for combating racism, HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Lack of Education, the program is taking place in three major countries in Africa which is Sudan, Ghana and Nigeria. It as been a very sad and bad moment for me, the present condition that I found myself is very hard for me to explain. If you will be the right tenant to our house, we will get the keys and documents of the house sent to you via courier services as soon as all terms are settled.

House Address: (address)...4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms, 2570 sqft single Family Home with 2 Car Garage. Beautiful home on wide cul de sac located near schools and shopping just off (street). This impressive home looks almost new. Property was built in 2000 with 2347 sq. ft. of living space. There are three bedrooms upstairs and an additional bedroom on the first floor. Elegant stucco exterior, plush landscaping with gardener included in rental rate, backyard patio and fenced dog run make entertaining a breeze. Interior boasts gourmet kitchen with corian countertops and center island, neutral wood cabinetry and paint, wood and ceramic tile throughout first floor and bathrooms, gas-log fireplace, two living areas on first level, game room upstairs, tons of closet space, this stylish home is a well-kept gem... The home features a fully equipped kitchen and i think a 2 car garage is an ideal home for a family and features tot lots in a quiet and family friendly atmosphere. I am flexible regarding the length of the lease. 6 mo., 1 yr., 2.yr, 3yr. etc. are all acceptable. I never increase the rental amount for good tenants..All credit considered, all types of pet allowed and Additional monthly charge of $200 for pet deposit.....You can drive down there to take a look ate it.

I will be online through out to get back to you as soon as you are able to get back to me. I would want to know how soon you would want to move in, as requesting for a security deposit which is $1700 and the first month rent, and also want you to know that the utilities (Electricity, Water, Internet, Heat and Garbage) bills are also included in the rent. I am asking for $1700 and I believe we should be able to help ourselves. I am accepting $2000 including utilities because I want you to take a very good care of the house while I am away.

I am looking forward to hear from you ASAP so that i can forward you an application to fill out and discuss on how to get the house for rent over to me so that I can get the keys and papers sent to you via FedEx or ups e.t.c, also are you ready to rent it now or when?

Await your reply. I will be willing to send the inside view of the building if you demands for it.

I could let you remain in the house till I come back if you are a good tenant and you can reach me on +(000-000-000).

Thanks and awaits your mail as soon as possible.

Regards and God bless.

(name)

From: name <[email protected] >
To: [email protected]
Sent: date, time
Subject: $1700 / 4br - 2570ft² - Beautiful 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath home on wide cul de sac (San Diego)

Hello, I am very interested in this place and I would like to take a look at the place. Please contact me asap at [email protected] or call me at (000-000-000). Thank you very much!

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/apa/3164709813.html

[kalvin71]

Yes, it is a scam. I just looked up "World Conference Against Racism Youth Summit, Empowering youth for combating racism, HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Lack of Education," on google and the first thing that came up is "housing scam."

[eorl]

LOL darn near fell out of seat laughing
at that listing SCAM.

if u need a rental simply google 'for rent' in
zip codes u interested in or do drive bys.

C-lists is great for rental scams.

we even had some of our listed.
Scamming people.

[honi]

I would never rent a house from someone who didn't live in the city the property was located in unless they were workin through a property management company. It smells of potential scam, so why bother? If it sounds too good, or even the slightest bit like a scam, then don't go for it.


http://www.utopiamanagement.com/rentals
Here's the link to the real rental info for the house

[gideon]

Yes its a big scam.Its better you can contact your nearest house dealer for further information

[bellden]

Of course it's a scam

ANY time you cannot see the place inside and out before you fill out an application or pay a deposit it's a scam. It seems these days that 90% of listings are scams. Last time I tried to find a place to live on Craigslist NOT ONE of the places I contacted was real

These scammers steal pictures off legitimate agents websites

If someone was really overseas they would have a management company, real estate agent, friend or family member handling the property and showing it. They would not rent it way below market value to some random person on Craigslist

Since they gave you the address, inform the police so they can inform the real tenants about this. On the news a few months ago was a similar situation where on the first of the month, 10 different people who had paid deposits all showed up at the same place to move in and the real people living there knew nothing about the scam or why their address had been used

Also report to Craigslist ASAP to get it removed

[seager]

It's the same rental scam that's been on the net for over 4 years now.