206-339-0186

Kelly Hyde hasn't learned her lesson yet. Here is an identical post for Killington which I received just after asking her the rates and location:
http://burlington.craigslist.org/vac/2190945145.html


"Your Vacation Rental - Booked Now

Everything is Professionally Cleaned and prepared and is available for your chosen date.

KILLINGTON RD LOCATION-CONVENIENCE-nearby shuttle bus,close to restaurants/entertainment/ski shops. 4BR/3BA, oversizd 3-car garage,flr to ceil stone f/p in fam rm,oak flrs w/walnut inlay,ceil fans, CAIR,isle kit w/granite tops,high end s/steel appliances,,outdoor hot tub,water purification/softening system.Most furnishings included

The Stylish Interior Remodel Includes New Windows, Doors, Tile, Cabinets, Flooring, Laundry Room And Fine Furnishings. Spacious Loft Area Comfortably Sleeps 10 to 12.  Perfect vacation home. We provide a FREE parking pass.

DESCRIPTION:


Address
182 Weathervane Drive, Killington VT 05751

Price
$250 Per nights
No. Rooms:     4 bedroom and 3 bathroom

               
                                    Modification Details

                         1. 4 bedroom, 3 bath
                         2. Is a private unit and not shared
                         3. Full kitchen AND lots of different small appliances
                         4. lots of Entertainment with DVD players, stereo systems and game systems
                         5. Cleaning fee waived, no resort fees,
                         6. Parking, air condition, high speed internet access included

* A 50% and a Refundable security fee of $200 to enable me hold the apartment for you, as there is rush for the apartment at this time. with the balance due in cash upon arrival.

We shall send you more pictures of the apartment, our booking and agreement form and all the details as soon i have your reply to know you are interested in the apartment.

Rent with an agent who will represent only you throughout your stay,  keeping your best interest in mind throughout the entire process!

Rent With Us For Less
Save money when you book your vacation home with us. Refer a friend and receive a free gas card for your next trip or how about saving 10% on your next stay with us. Ask for details when you book your vacation home with us.

We genuinely hope you have a good stay here!  Thank you"

OMG!!
please let me know what happened.
we did the same thing.

Hey!!
I just booked this same apartment with Dea Lazo.

My holiday is just around the corner and she has not responded to my emails.

please let me know what happened with yours!

Hi, we sent this woman Dea Lazo $450 USD for the Mammoth lakes appartment.

so then it is true, it is a scam?

OMG!! I can't believe I fell for it!!!

Kelly Hyde also posted on craigslist for a house in Breckenridge CO.

I was scammed by him too.

on a hunch i googled the address of the vermont rental that i was looking into and found this site.  this guy sent me the same email that is listed may times below.  i cant belive i almost fell for this


here is the email chain
Re:
From: Ben Love Louis <louisvacation@gmail.com>View Contact

 
 Term and Condition $.rtf (99KB)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I will be happy to book you down for the date.  And to secure the place down for your dates, 50% of the rental fee will be required for the (2 nights)= ($280) + $200 a fixed refundable damage security deposit, so all you need pay to book down the place for your desire date is = $480 to reserve your dates.

Regarding to the payment of the Remaining balance, it must be done on arrival by Cash while i will then hand over the keys of to you. I want you to complete this form and return it back soonest. So that we can process your reservation for your date. I will send you the booking payment information to confirm your reservation for your chosen date.


On Tue, Mar 8, 2011 at 3:35 AM, Ben Love Louis <louisvacation@gmail.com> wrote:

Here are the pics, fill the booking forms to process your reservation. Am very sure that this is one of the best place you can get around at that rate per night and is located in a safe neighborhood and very clean place.   Thank you





we are interested.  
can you please send pics , booking and agreement forms




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Ben Love Louis <louisvacation@gmail.com>


Sent: Mon, March 7, 2011 6:18:38 PM
Subject: Re:


The property is still available okay, confirm your interested, so that we can send you all the booking details.




im sorry im not sure if the property is available.
if it is available of if you have another property we are interested.  
tx




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Ben Love Louis <louisvacation@gmail.com>

Sent: Mon, March 7, 2011 4:26:34 PM
Subject: Re:



Your Vacation Rental - Booked Now



Everything is Professionally Cleaned and prepared and is available for your chosen date.

KILLINGTON RD LOCATION-CONVENIENCE-nearby shuttle bus,close to restaurants/entertainment/ski shops. 4BR/3BA, oversizd 3-car garage,flr to ceil stone f/p in fam rm,oak flrs w/walnut inlay,ceil fans, CAIR,isle kit w/granite tops,high end s/steel appliances,,outdoor hot tub,water purification/softening system.Most furnishings included

The Stylish Interior Remodel Includes New Windows, Doors, Tile, Cabinets, Flooring, Laundry Room And Fine Furnishings. Spacious Loft Area Comfortably Sleeps 10.  Perfect vacation home. We provide a FREE parking pass.


DESCRIPTION:


Address
182 Weathervane Drive, Killington VT 05751



Price
$280 Per nights

No. Rooms:   4 bedroom and 3 bathroom



               
                                    Modification Details


                         1. 4 bedroom, 3 bath
                         2. Is a private unit and not shared
                         3. Full kitchen AND lots of different small appliances
                         4. lots of Entertainment with DVD players, stereo systems and game systems
                         5. Cleaning fee waived, no resort fees,
                         6. Parking, air condition, high speed internet access included

* A 50% and a Refundable security fee of $200 to enable me hold the 4 bedroom for you, as there is rush for the 4 bedroom at this time. with the balance due in cash upon arrival.

We shall send you more pictures of the 4 bedroom, our booking and agreement form and all the details as soon i have your reply to know you are interested.


Rent with an agent who will represent only you throughout your stay,  keeping your best interest in mind throughout the entire process!

Rent With Us For Less

Save money when you book your vacation home with us. Refer a friend and receive a free gas card for your next trip or how about saving 10% on your next stay with us. Ask for details when you book your vacation home with us.


We genuinely hope you have a good stay here!  Thank you.

wrote:



is this home available for this weekend?





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
this message was remailed to you via: hous-dva53-2245125310@craigslist.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow! I just found your post while investigating a newport rental i inquired about. The reply was from the same Ben Love Louis. Glad I found this. Knew it sounded too good to be true and wondered who answered emails at 2 in the morning..

I inquired about a rental on a property in Newport, RI - sounded perfect. When I received a response from the renter, something in the phrasing of the language sounded funny - the English just wasn't that of someone who is a US native (see below), and as stated, this was just too good to be true for my date and that price, so I decided to google the email address of the respondent and here I am.

Watch out everyone there are many scams on Craigslist - I've stumbled on a few and fortunately I've watched enough 60 Minutes and Dateline to be suspicious of these scams.

Good luck!

Donna

"* A 50% and a Refundable security fee of $200 to enable me hold the 3 bedroom for you, as there is rush for the property at this time. with the balance due in cash upon arrival."

I got a similiar email too for a spot in Newport, RI from Ben Love Loius he even sent an expired Missouri License!

BEWARE of Ben Love Louis louisvacation@gmail.com  !!!

Hopefully now his name will show up here on google searches

thomaswatermanrentals@hotmail.com is listing 5 Bedroom BeachFront Home at petvacationhomes.com.  The address of the home that is on the rental agreement (I got that far in the email conversation) is 240 Winston Lane, Panama City Beach, FL 32413.  The pictures of the house sent matched the google earth of the address, so it wasn't a mismatch there.

They wanted an $800 damage deposit, 50% of the total to reserve the home, and wanted the money by Money Gram or Cashier Check.  That immediately raised red flags for me, and I searched the address of the house, finding it mentioned on page 10 of this thread.  

So it's not just craigslist.  I'm glad I found this thread... "thomas" wanted over $1000

I was looking for a vacation rental in Chicago. The person with the name of Bridget Brackins <briedty23@gmail.com> requested a deposit payment of $250 for a 2BR2BA apartment. I asked for a contact number and was given #206-339-0186. I am so glad that I googled this number before sending the payment. The given PayPal account was <tnelson8916@yahoo.com>

Thank you for showing interest. The apartment is available for the dates chosen. I am sure that this is one of the best apartment you can get around at this reasonable rate. But I cannot guarantee the hold of the apartment until you book for it. You are required to pay 50% of the total rental fee and a Refundable security fee of $100  to enable me hold the apartment for you,as there is rush for the apartment at this time.The apartment is $100  per night. Check the below quotes for the cost of nights you intent to stay in the apartment.

Address: 1606 E Hyde Park Blvd Chicago, IL 60615

3      NIGHTS =   $300

%50 DEPOSIT   =   $150

SECURITY FEE  =   $100


All you have to do to hold the apartment is to pay a 50% of the total rental fee, plus the Refundable Security Fee which is $100.  which will be given back to you on the day you departing from the apartment,  Once you have made the payment I will issue you a receipt confirming your payments. There are also door men and cleaners who would come at intervals under your request to clean and attend to your needs.This also does not attract any extra charges. You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving in IL to make arrangement to pick you up. There is no extra charges for this also. I will render this service for free.I will send you our booking form and agreement as soon I have your reply to know you are interested in the apartment.

Regards
Mrs. Bridget.

I am pretty sure that I just narrowly avoided being subjected to an extremely similar scam for a beach house in Dewey Beach, DE. I was responding to a Craigslist Ad and received several very polite, professional responses in really terrible English. I became suspicious but couldn't find anything about the person sending the emails, whose name is simply "Leon", the supposed owner of the house, or "Leon's" email address. "Leon" sent me pictures of the property, a rental contract, the whole bit. Then I found a VRBO listing for a condo at the same address and the descriptions were literally exactly the same. Observe:

VRBO ad: Condo directly on the bay. Beautiful view from the balcony. 2 blocks to the ocean, and 1 block to the dewey night life Address is 208 New Orleans St., which is in Cajun Cove. Even though this condo is close to everything, it is located in a very quiet complex. Parking for 2 vehicles. You walkin the condo on the first floor. Go up a flight of stairs, to the second floor bedroom. This bedroom and bath have room for 4 people. Go up the third floor to the open kitchen/living room. There is also a full bath on this level. The views are so fabulous, you won't want to leave the balcony
http://www.vrbo.com/302612

Craigslist ad:
Beautiful home. 2 blocks to the ocean, and 1 block to the dewey night life Address is 208 New Orleans St., which is in Cajun Cove. Even though this condo is close to everything, it is located in a very quiet complex. Parking for 2 vehicles. You walkin the condo on the first floor. Go up a flight of stairs, to the second floor bedroom. This bedroom and bath have room for 4 people. Go up the third floor to the open kitchen/living room. There is also a full bath on this level. The views are so fabulous, you won't want to leave the balcony

http://delaware.craigslist.org/vac/2366814742.html


Here are the emails I've received from "Leon." Of course he wants me to wire money to him via Western Union, but said they also accept Pay Pal. When I asked for that information, I received no reply.

Email #1, replying to my inquiry about the rental property:

Thanks for showing interest in our large 2 bedroom property listed on CL and we really appreciate your interest about our property listed.Attached is with the pics you requested.The property is located at 102 Chicago St Dewey Beach DE.The property is available for June 11-14.The rent  is $100 per night.........50% will  be required from the full  house rent and $200 A refundable  security fee will be included  to secure your reservation with us  and your  security deposit  will be  refund immediately after check-out.The property is friendly to pets.


3 nights with cleaning fee will cost you ========================$300


50% will be required from the full rent =========================$150


refundable  security  fee to secure your reservation date  ===========$200


Total cost to hold your  reservation ===============================$350


50% balance will be paid upon arrival ================================$150


There are also cleaner that will intervals under your request to clean the house.This also does not attract any extra charges is included to the rent.


Rental Deposit Policy:  All guests that want to rent house are required to sign a Rentals Agreement and Booking paperwork...A minimum of 50% will be required from the full payment of the house rent and $200 A refundable  security fee will be included  to secure your reservation date..security deposit is refundable shortly after departure


please let us  know if you really want us to make the reservation for you ,so that we can forward you the vacationrental agreement and booking paperwork to fill and send back to us in order to secure your reservation  date.


Thanks for your interest.


Leon

Email #2 replying to my request to view the contract:

Thanks for booking with us and we really appreciate your interest about our rental.The house is located at 208 New Orleans street Dewey Beach DE . Your Check in time starts from 11:00 am and Check out time is 5:00 pm, Attached with the mail is Reservation  form which you have requested for in order to make reservation with us. I want you to fill it and email the Reservation form back to us asap so that we can make the reservation for your chosen date. You will make a total deposit payment of $350 Refundable security fee plus %50 required for the reservation of the rent.The deposit payment will be transfer to the owner of the apartment via  western union  And below is the owner information to transfer the payment to ....We also accept pay pal.


Name :George Drake
Address:3228 Gene Ln,
Fort Worth, TX 76117


Kindly Get back to me immediately with the payment information below.western union information given to you while deposit is transferred to the owner of the apartment so i can prepare your receipt asap, please remember to print and come along with the payment  receipt that i will attach and forward to you after Confirmation of deposit.


Sender Name
Sender Address
Western union control #
Amount Send


Notice: Is only when payment has been made before i can secure your dates.


NOTE: Once  the owner  deposit is confirm , You'll receive  your Receipt ASAP to confirm your reservation for your chosen date


Thanks for booking with us.


Your reservation is 100% secure.


Leon

Here's the "contract":

VACATIONAL RENTALS AGREEMENT FORM




PROPERTY ADDRESS:   208  New  Orleans  street  Dewey  Beach  DE.
RENTER’S   NAME:

RENTER’S   ADDRESS: (Include City, State, and Zip) ________________________________________________
RENTER`S HOME PHONE:
BUSINESS  PHONE:
FAX   NUMBER:
E-MAIL  ADDRESS:  _____________________________  
RESERVED  DATES: IN: ___    __     OUT:  __  
NUMBER  OF  ADULTS__   __; CHILDREN__       __

1. AGREEMENT:  VACATION RENTAL HOME…The Owner, and Renter agree as follows: Above Renter is an adult and will be an occupant of the unit during the entire reserved period. Other occupants will be family members, friends or responsible adults. Use of the premises will be denied to persons not falling within the foregoing categories, and as a result they would have to vacate the property immediately without any refund. No keys will be issued to anyone who is not an adult.

2. SECURITY DEPOSIT: The security deposit is $200 for a vacation rental. Your security deposit is fully refundable at the time of your departure provided that the property is in the same condition as when occupancy commenced and all terms of this agreement are met. Renter is liable for all replacements and repairs that are outside what is considered normal wear and tear.
3. PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
You are to pay $350 to hold your dates (Please fill this space, 2011)
Quoted Full Rental fee including Tax: $300 (@ $100 per night)
Refundable Security Deposit of $200 (Will be refunded by me, on your day of Departure)
Rental Balance Payment to be PAID: $150  in Cash (upon  arrival) Pet (if applicable)………
5. CANCELLATION: Should you wish to cancel this reservation, notice of cancellation MUST BE IN WRITING AND RECEIVED before 3 days to your Arrival date. If less a cancellation fee of $30 dollars will be deducted from the paid rent and you'll be paid the rest.
6. CHECK IN:  Check in time starts from 11:00 am. Keys will be ready for pick up at property location.
7. CHECK OUT: Check out time is 05:00 pm, except for guest with pets; it is 06:00 pm. THERE IS AN EXTRA CHARGE FOR LATE CHECK OUT AND PRIOR APPROVAL IS NEEDED. Please leave all keys and remote controls at the location. A $50 hour fee will be charged for each hour (or portion thereof) past the required check out time. A $50 per item fee will be charged for each lost key.
8. CLEANING: Each property will be inspected, sanitized and cleaned after your departure. The rental fee you have paid will provide for four hours of normal cleaning so that you can enjoy your vacation up to the last moment. YOU ARE REQUIRED to leave the property in the same general condition that you received it by making sure, dishes are done and put away, and the home is generally picked up and ready to be vacuumed, dusted and sanitized.
9. WHAT WE SUPPLY: The property is equipped and set up as a fully furnished property that will include bedspreads, linens, blankets, pillows, towels, as well as a fully equipped kitchen, TVs, furnishings, BBQ grill, and outdoor furniture.
10. SLEEPING CAPACITY/DISTURBANCES: Renters and all other occupants will be required to vacate the premises and forfeit the rental fee and security deposit for any of the following: A. Occupancy exceeding the sleeping capacity stated on the reservation confirmation. B. Using the premises for any illegal activity, but not limited to, the possession, serving or consumption of alcoholic beverages by or to persons less than 21 years of age. C. Causing damage to the premises rented or to any of the neighbouring properties. D. Any other acts which interferes with neighbours’ right to quiet enjoyment of their property.
11. There from. In any action concerning the rights, duties or liabilities of the parties to this agreement, their principals, agents, successors or assignees the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs.  

I am now sure that this is a scam

Well I wish I had seen this posting a lot sooner. Unfortunately we did rent this listing... or so we thought. We drove all the way to Panama City Beach to this exact address, thinking it was ours for the week. We paid through PayPal, so we assumed it was ok. We had to find another place to stay. This is a private residental home, and is NOT rented out.The pictures on the website are pictures when the house was being sold. Thomas Waterman is the name given to us and was allegedly who we spoke to. Phone numbers given to us were 239-243-9819 and 850-708-8997. Other people names involved were Lisa Johns and Joel Cabebe. Be aware of this Thomas Waterman "scumbag". I hope a lot of people see this and it saves them the heartache that we experienced.

I also got the same email for a rental in Newport. The guy name was different though - he was using the name Jun Lee. I work at a company where I can look up property records and the owners name was not the same as the name he was asking me to send money too. I was hesitant when he wouldn't give me a phone number to reach him. The adddress was 8 Kay Street in Newport, RI. Beware!!!

Oh man, I was so close to booking an apartment in Boston.  I'm so glad I decided to google it before I went through with it.  New name though, same thing.   Beware of Max Nick! (nickmax@elitemail.org)


Thanks for booking with us and your Check in time starts from 12:00 noon and Check out time is 4:00 pm..The property is located at 25 Clark st Boston MA.Attached with the mail is Reservation  form which you have requested for in order to make reservation with us. I want you to fill it and email or fax (206-888-2358) the Reservation form back to us asap so that we can make the reservation for your chosen date. You will make a total deposit payment of $500 to the owner .......... Refundable security fee plus %50 required for the reservation of the rent...........The deposit payment will be transfer to the owner of the house via  Bank transfer such as western union  .Here is the owner information  you will send the house rent to.....your reservation is pencil down for your chosen date.

Owner Name and Address Western Union info:

Name :George Drake
Address:3228 Gene Ln,
Fort Worth, TX 76117.

please kindly Get back to me immediately with the payment information below  given to you while deposit is transferred to the owner  so i can prepare your receipt asap, please remember to print and come along with the payment receipt that i will attach and forward to you after Confirmation of deposit..

Sender Name
Sender Address
Amount sent
MTCN #

Payment/Rental Deposit Policy:  All guests are required to sign a Rentals Agreement and Booking Form.The Half payment will  be required from the full payment of the house rent and $200 A refundable  security fee will be included  to make your reservation....The owner have to confirm the deposit  7 days before your  arrival date.

Notice: Is only when payment has been transfer to the owner  before we can secure your reservation dates.

Once  the owner  deposit is confirm , You'll receive  your Receipt immediately to confirm your reservation for your chosen date.

Thanks for making reservation with us.

Max Nick
nickmax@elitemail.org


When i opened the reservation document, it was in size 14 Broadway font.  Who in their right mind would use that font in a rental agreement?!  Man, I guess we're just lucky they're such horrible scammers.  I also reverse address-ed the place and there was no one owning the place under the name "George Drake"

This is not a scam, I just want some idiots to send me some money.  Will you help me out?  Do you qualify? lol

Just attempted to rent a room in Rehoboth beach DE. A woman named Katie wanted us to send 400 $ Western Union. She gave this 206 as her telephone number. After reading this site and not being able to get additional information out of her we decided to rent elsewhere. Thanks for sharing these experiences-- they saved us 400 $.

Got this same person for a rental in Delaware. Changed his name to Chandra Arun

same story here. rental in folly beach sc. name was chandra arun. same WU wire address as above, george drake etc. cell given was 302 482 4814 and fax was 206 888 2358.