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JM, thank you so much for posting this. I think that I too have just avoided being scammed on a condo rental in Dewey Beach. Same thing, craigslist ad, polite but poorly written emails, and something about it just DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. I think when your instinct kicks in and tells you that something is "off", you need to listen. I can't prove anything, but the Western Union Money Transfer as the strongly preferred method of payment, the "Owner" being in a remote location, in my case Missouri, and some of the exact same phrases in the "Booking form" that you quote below make me think this is the same scammer. Also, the booking form that I received via email was a Word doc that had five or six different fonts in it...it looked pretty clearly to be a cut-and-pasted thing that someone had thrown together. I'm not taking a risk on this one!

Don't do it. It's definitely a scam because they're now using my name instead. I assume they just use alternate names.

And now I'm out $400 bucks.

Same scam - this time for a craigslist rental out in York, ME

Thanks for booking with us .........The property is located at  197 Long Beach Ave York ME....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 pencil down your reservation with us.......We  inform the owner regarding your reservation with us and the owner said we should go ahead and rent it out for your chosen date at $240 for three nights...........You will make a total deposit payment of $320 to the owner of the property .......... Refundable security fee plus %50 required from the full rental fee .....The deposit payment will be transfer to the owner of the house via  Bank transfer such as western union  .below is the owner information  you will send the deposit to hold your chosen date. ......i will be at the property location one hour before your arrival time to hand over the key to you and check you in .all you need to do and  reserve the property is to  show some sign of commitment to be able to hold the property for the date you chosen to stay in the property.

Your Check in time starts from 12:00 noon and Check out time is 4:00 pm.

How to complete the payment? Follow these instructions:

1. Locate the nearest Western Union Office

You can visit www.westernunion.com  to located the outlet close to your location..

2. Make the payment to the owner of the property's name and address as the receiver:

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

3. E-mail us the following details from the payment receipt:

- MTCN # - 10 digits number from the payment receipt
    - Sender's Name and Address
    - Receiver's Name and Address
    - Amount

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.

Payment/Rental Deposit Policy:  Reservations are made upon receipt of a deposit in the minimum amount of 50% of  rental rate including $200 refundable security fee. Deposits can be made to secure your reservation and by sending via email or FAXing a signed Authorization Form. Please be aware of the fact that reservations are not made until your deposit is received and processed. Final balance of rental rate is will be at your check-in date.....The owner have to confirm the deposit as soon as possible.

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.

Your resrvation is 100% guarantee with us.

Shawn O neil
homecare@airpost.net

Yes, it's a scam.  I just saw Arun's response below where he said the guy is using his name.  Well, I just spend 2 days talking to "Arun Chandra" on email and I'm now sure it was scam.  Don't ever ignore your gut instinct and take time to do the research.   Julie

By the way, that was at 1212 Bourbon, New Orleans.  Same contract sent to me as listed above.

Hate to admit it but I got taken . Maybe will save another . From what I can tell they all over the

country CRAIGSLIST ( vacation rentals )  different contact people and e-mail address but seems


   George Drake 3228 Gene Lane Ft. Worth TX 76117  / phone # 940-604-1828


Shame really have never had problem's renting thru Craigslist in the past .

can't find the # on reverse look-up ? Try  indiatrace.com    ( figures)

I hope you have filed with craiglist fraud department.  Even though they can't do much about it, maybe they could atleast warn people.  You don't seem to be the only person who has been scammed.  You are right, it really is a shame.

He goes by Arun Chandra.  He sent me his driver's license and he's from PA.  I looked into renting a place in VA Beach.  Thank you for your messages here.  I've been saved by all of you!
THIS GUY IS A SCAM ARTIST!!!!!!!!!

Привет!

Me too guys. I was almost like closing the deals. My husband told me it is too good to be true and research some more. Thank you this blog helped me.

Was 1212 bourbon street a scam,,, i am looking for a place in new orleans and that is the address this guy just sent me??

1212 Bourbon Street New Orleans is still being advertised on craigslist. still sounds like a scam.

1212 Bourbon street is definitely a scam. We were taken in our first, and last, attempt to rent on Craigslist. Our nephew said he had done it 'all the time". Should have known better.

1212 Bourbon street off Craigslist is a scam. We were taken in our first and last attempt to rent off Craiglist. Should have known.

yup, still scamming! I looked on new orleans craigslist and the guy, who is going by Matthew Killian is definitely sending out agreements and requesting PayPal. I'm trying to trap him though.

Just had conversation with this guy

The post I posted regarding Dawn Morris was not a scam. I have had many people come to my propery after paying Dawn to find that we have no knowledge of their booking. I just want to warn you all ... NO rental propert will ask for a money order or western union money transfer for payment on ANY rentals.

I'm so glad you wrote this post. I am looking for an apartment to rent for a couple of days in July and came across this beautiful looking apartment for  $100 a night. I emailed the address on Craigslist and received an email back saying if I was interested I would be sent more photos. The email did not have a name or signature. I was also told that I would have to pay $200 deposit and $100 for 50% of the rental. I wrote back and said I needed a name so that I could verify the info. "He" sent an email back with a PDF of his driver's licence (how weird is that?) and yet he still did not sign off on email.

Has anyone actually been scammed by this person - or is he for real?

Zoe

Yes, the guy who is trying to rent "his" apartment is Jun Lee. I have just asked for his phone number so we will see what happens now! The apartment in this case is in Seattle.

Cheers, Zoe

Good grief, me too. Jun Lee sent me a pdf of his driver's license - I wonder if it stolen?