There is a very simple way to protect yourself from a rental/vacation rental scam. It is the method of payment. If you are asked to use a wire transfer (Western Union, MoneyPak, MoneyGram, GreenDot, etc.) to send money - it's a scam. 100% every time. A wire transfer is NEVER to be used for business, and NEVER to send money where you do not personally know the person receiving the money. A wire transfer is CASH - CASH! Untraceable cash that can be picked up anywhere in the world. Nigeria, for example.
He is doing this using craigslist in Milwaukee, WI as well. Going by the name Daniel Honeycut and using the same story about working for Skanska in NYC.
Posting: $950 / 2br - furnished 2bed/2bath (Milwaukee, WI )
Was looking for apartment in Boston...this guy daan hoenycut is trying to sublet 7-Walnut-St-APT-4-Boston-MA-02108 $1500 a month
"
Hi,
Here is the apartment address: 7-Walnut-St-APT-4-Boston-MA-02108
See attached pictures of the unit and the rental form, and the monthly rent still remains $1500 which includes all utilities, internet n cable included.An advance first month rent payment plus the refundable security deposit shall be paid before moving in and before receiving the keys and legal papers.
NOTE: Landlord of the unit does not reside in the unit nor in the city but monthly rent shall be paid directly into the landlord banking account and your filled rental application form shall be reviewed by me and the landlord before approval so viewing and walk through wil not be possible but you can only view from outside and the neighborhood.
If you will need to vacate the apartment, notice shall be given 2 to 4 weeks prior to intended day of moving.
The security deposit shall be refunded on or before the day of vacating the apartment.
Please return the filled application at your convenience, which I expect to receive the approval from my landlord.
I am willing to review the sublease agreement and seal the deal as soon as possible.
Thanks and Best Regards,
Daniel
Text/Call: (347) 450-9571
This [***] is scamming people in Portland, OR too. Here is his exact email after I sent an email response to his post.
"Thanks for taking your time to write me, The unit is currently still available. I got a 2 year's contract to work with one of the best Construction company around the world (http://www.skanska.com) in NY. I still have a 24 months lease at my Portland-OR Unit. The unit is currently vacant and locked while I'm seeking to sub-lease it out for between 1 to 24 months. The apartment is fully furnished with all the necessary equipment and appliances and its inclusive all the bills too. As its been difficult to find someone to sub-lease to for 24 months, I am happy to lease the apartment to you for short/long term. I will not be able to show the apartment to you in person, since I'm in NY. I took some pictures of the unit before leaving and can show them to you to see if its okay and I also have the keys and documents right here with me, So you can only view the unit from outside at the moment.
I’d have actually left it vacant, but my wife advised that I must rent it out. It's a lovely 2bed/2bath, fully furnished, cable TV, WiFi Internet, electricity, water and Parking are included in the monthly rent. The rent, which includes all utilities is $1100 per month. A Refundable damage deposit of $1100 will be paid alongside the rent before you move in. I will like you to tell me about yourself because I am interested in knowing your capability of funding the rent and taking care of my apartment.Please let me know if you would still like to proceed to sub-lease the unit so I can speak with the landlord for the rental form.
Let me know if you need anything else.
Thanks & Best Regards,
Daniel Honeycut"
I wish you all could see the font he used too. It had "scam" written all over it. So happy that I found this website.