You guys just saved us from making a huge mistake. We got the exact same e-mails. They were disguised as Susan Gropp and family. Moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Thanks so much guys! We definitely won't be sending them any money.
We were also almost scammed by the same artists. Our initial email is below (names removed).
When we visited the property, it was clearly inhabited, which started our suspicion, which went downhill from there. Unfortunately we had already sent the application, so we fear our address may be put up for rent next. Only enough information is requested to do something like a rental listing - I think they do this because they know nobody would be comfortable giving more than name, address, and employer. No credit check or history would be able to be performed with the little information requested.
The last email we received essentially said "just send money and you'll get the keys" which was a very different message than the previous email communications. Below is how it started. BEWARE! (we also called the number but it only goes straight to voicemail - it's a Texas area code).
Hello,
We are pleased that you have an interest in our house, Our lovely home is still available for lease and we want responsible adults/family who are neat and also believe that they have what it takes to take care of our house as if it were theirs. My wife and I initially had it up for sale but had a change of mind in leasing it out ourselves because the agent that was in charge of our rental property was asking too much of an agent fee and also making it difficult for people who cannot afford the rent, stay away from renting my house.
The reason why our house is up for lease is because I got transferred from my place of work to Athens-Clarke County, GA, I will be away with my family for at least 4 years because of the love I have for them, I have decided not to sell our house and also assuring them that we only have few years to spend here and will be willing to lease it out to person/family who is willing to assure us of taking absolute care of our home and pay their rent on time. I will start by telling you more in regards me and my family. I have a daughter named <name> (20yrs) who attends University of Athens-Clarke County, GA as a medical student, she has a lot going for her and she is also down to earth in all that she does to keep us happy and when she is back home on vacation, she also assist her mom in the house work when am at work. I work as a Robotic Programmer & Welder/Fitter here in Athens-Clarke County, GA and got married to a lovely wife who is a member of Joyce Meyer Ministries. We will be very pleased if we can find the right tenant to rent our home, a person who is a clean freak and does not tolerate anything that has to do with dirty... We also would like to know more about you and your family, your renting experience and how long and when you plan moving into our home. These 4bedrooms and 4baths home are very specious.
Below is the rental property address:
House Address
827-Ridgewood-Rd-Millburn-NJ-07041
Monthly Fee; $2000
Security Deposit: $900
Pets Allowed
Available Now for move in.
So pls get back to me today.
I await your reply ASAP.
The rental fee is inclusive with utilities and my home available as at this moment.
We are pleased that you have an interest in our house, Our lovely home is still available for lease and we want responsible adults/family who are neat and also believe that they have what it takes to take care of our house as if it were theirs. My wife and I initially had it up for sale but had a change of mind in leasing it out ourselves because the agent that was in charge of our rental property was asking too much of an agent fee and also making it difficult for people who cannot afford the rent, stay away from renting my house.
The reason why our house is up for lease is because I got transferred from my place of work to Albany GA I will be away with my family for at least 4 years because of the love I have for them, I have decided not to sell our house and also assuring them that we only have few years to spend here and will be willing to lease it out to person/family who is willing to assure us of taking absolute care of our home and pay their rent on time. I will start by telling you more in regards me and my family. I have a daughter named Leslie (20yrs) who attends University of Albany GA as a medical student, she has a lot going for her and she is also down to earth in all that she does to keep us happy and when she is back home on vacation, she also assist her mom in the house work when am at work. I work as a Robotic Programmer & Welder/Fitter here in Albany GA and got married to a lovely wife who is a member of Joyce Meyer Ministries. We will be very pleased if we can find the right tenant to rent our home, a person who is a clean freak and does not tolerate anything that has to do with dirty... We also would like to know more about you and your family, your renting experience and how long and when you plan moving into our home. These 2bedrooms and 2baths home are very specious and 1,496sqft.
Below is the rental property address:
House Address
10 Alicante
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Monthly Fee; 1100
Security Deposit: $800
Pets Allowed:
Available :Available Now for move in.
So pls get back to me today.
I await your reply ASAP.
God Bless You.
Mr & Mrs Marc Ochoa & family
THEN I responded and got another email, until they finally gave me their number:
Hello,
We are very pleased that you wrote us regarding our home at 10 Alicante Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 I also had other people writing me requesting that they rent my property less than a year which I do not support. I want anyone renting my house to at least rent for a year or more. We have also made it known to anyone renting our home that our objectives are making sure that the house is kept clean and neat. I initially wrote you that we had plans of selling our house but had a change in mind to lease it out since we will not be staying more than 4 years I initially wrote you that we had plans of selling our house but had a change in mind to lease it out since we will not be staying more than 4 years. I really know that God has lead me to a wonderful family like yours, as we are planning on selling our home initially thinking that no one can take care of our home when we are gone but with the help of me to my husband, we are able to think properly before selling our home and have found out that renting it will be the best option for us as we plan on coming back to our lovely home. You have also said a lot that pleases us and we have also seen how wonderful you and your family can be when you move into our home. My concerns has been solved by you and we believe that all you said should be done the right way in ensuring that we trust you of becoming our tenant. We also plan on making our tenant family friends when they move in.
If all arrangement goes well, we will have the entrance keys and other relevant document in a hard copy paper shipped to your present home address for you to move in at your convenient date. Our home is beautiful and need no amendments. All you have to do is bring in your belongings and maintain the utilities for us. We also have Internet cable in our home as we speak, and will like you to take absolute care of our house when you move in. As soon as you get back to me I will be attaching a rental application form for you to fill and get back to us with your information so that we can know you better.
God Bless You.
Marc Ochoa & family
and later...
Hello,
Attached is the Rental Application form, fill it and get back to us via email, I can see your willingness in leasing our home and hope we will never have regrets in leasing our home to you.
I want you to also know that we will let you stay in our home till the period of time you wish to as long as you pay up your rent on time. We also want you to know that the rent fee covers the utilities, you can use them and take proper care of our home.
All we ask for is making sure you fill the rental application form properly so that we can approve you as our tenant, we will also advise you secure our home by paying for a refundable security deposit so that we can take our house off market and let other renters not to contact us anymore for the same house you are about renting. You can reach me on 4697379418 or you leave a message so that i call when im less busy
Here are the contents of the package that will be shipped to your present home address via a courier service upon receiving your application form filled by you.
1) Entrance and the rooms Keys
2) Paper/Permanent House form (Containing your reference details)
3) The duplicate of the House documented file.
4) Payment Receipt.
Unfortunately I received the same emails. I found it weird when they mentioned about the 'don't be late or you'll be embarrased part as well as the laywer since they at first said that the realtor's fee was too high when the lawyer would take your money anyway. I did send my "application" I decided to research the "laywer" and that's when I found this site. Is there a way to place this scam with police?
We were almost scammed by whoever is using this phone number as well. They told us an almost identical story to the one listed- out of town, working in Atlanta, need someone to take care of the property, etc... They wanted us to wire them money before we had a signed contract on the property.
I wish there was a way to find these Jokers and lock them up.