Type of Scam: Rental Scam
Message sent to us on our Facebook page providing Rental Scam details:
Hello Dear,
Am sorry for the late response. It's my great pleasure that you are interested in our
lovely home for rent. I 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), here is the site for more detail about why I am here in West
Africa, Nigeria. ( http://l.facebook.com/l/ATNKD7ViIiG1s-C ... cliffe.org) And my wife who is a missionary's dealing with
Bible Translation and literacy worldwide..We spent less time in the States so we
could not get a hold on any Realtor to handle this rent issue, although it was when
We knew how long we are going to stay in West Africa that We decided to rent out the
house. However, the initial plan was to sale out the house. which we tried, but
sometimes the agents inflates the prize and it takes longer to sell..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 contacted the agent back and requested for my keys and documents. Later we
decided to have the house rent out, 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 (6103 Balsam Dr Fort Pierce, FL 34982)
The rent is: $750
Security Deposit: $900
For this 3 Bedroom Home.
Pets Allowed:Dogs and Cats.
Available :Available Now for move in.
SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM
BELOW.
RENT APPLICATION FORM.
FIRST NAME:__________?
MIDDLE NAME:__________?
LAST NAME:__________?
PROFESSION:__________?
PHONE:
(CELL)PHONE__________?
(WORK)PHONE__________?
(HOME)PHONE__________?
KIDS_____ (YES/NO), HOW MANY________
PRESENT ADDRESS: _____________________
CITY: _______________
STATE:______________
ZIP CODE: ____________
OWN OR RENT:____________?
MONTHLY PAYMENT OR RENT:____________?
CURRENT EMPLOYER AND PHONE:____________?
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING__________?
IF THIS HOUSE IS BEING GIVEN TO YOU,HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING ____________?
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE LIVING IN THE HOUSE:____________?
DO YOU HAVE A CAR:____________?
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN?______________?
HOW SOON CAN YOU MAKE THE DEPOSIT PAYMENT____________?
HOW MANY MONTHS RENT CAN YOU PAY UPFRONT? MINIMUM (1 MONTH + SECURITY DEPOSIT ) or (
2 MONTH + SECURITY DEPOSIT ), SO WHICH OPTION DO YOU PREFER ???? ________
HOW SOON DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THE KEYS:____________?
IF YOU HAVE A PET,
NAME OF PET: _____________?
KIND OF PETS: _____________?
HABITS
DO YOU SMOKE ______________ ?
DO YOU DRINK ______________?
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT?____?
YOUR PICTURE OR FAMILY PICTURE(IF ANY):could be attached with the application
Looking forward to hearing from you with all this details so that i can have it in my
file in case of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you…Await your urgent
reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the keys to you,please we
are giving you all this based on trust and again i will want you to stick to your
words,you know that we have not seen yet and only putting everything into Gods
hands,so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you
do this…The house is available for rent at the moment so you are free to move in as
soon as you wish to. Feel free to get back to me for more information and
arrangements on how to get the keys and other necessary documents delivered to you.
The house will be available for rent for a period of 5 years so you have a choice of
deciding how long you intend staying there…
(TAKE NOTE: YOU CAN ONLY DRIVE BY AND SEE MY PLACE FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT IF DRIVE BY
THE HOME YOU MAY SEE A SIGN THERE, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT IT BELONGS TO OUR
PREVIOUS AGENT SO YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT AND DON'T HAVE TO CALL
THEM BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE HOME ANYMORE!)
YOU CAN CALL ME ON THESE NUMBERS: +1(231) 335-1438,+1 (231) 335-1438,and if you are
unable to dial out of the country, you can text me on +1 (231) 335-1438, (231) 335-1438
Rev.Justin Harold
IN GOD WE TRUST