Rental Scam Alive and Well in Denver

If nothing else Nigerians are creative people. The latest hoax out of the African continent is being delivered to us via Craigs List, the popular bulletin board service that serves everything from jobs to homes for sale.

Several months ago my broker had a home for sale that was targeted by these crooks. The put a “For Rent” ad on Craigs List with a rental amount that was far less than the going rate. Included in the ad was the address, so prospective tenants were driving by the property checking it and the neighborhood out.

What the Nigerian scammer didn’t know or count on, was the fact there was a FOR SALE sign in the yard. Yup. It was a normal real estate sign with telephone numbers etc.

So the telephone starts ringing, Larry the listing agent (my broker) begins to get these odd telephone calls wanting to see the property for rent. “Well no,” he replies “the property is not for rent it is for sale. Are you interested in purchasing a home?”

“No, I’m calling on the ad in Craig’s List.” insisted the callers

Finally he figured out it wasn’t a mistake, nor did the owner place the ad. It was the dirty double dealer in Nigeria.

The ad would come in go in Craig’s List, annoying Larry and all that got caught up in it. Eventually they moved on to other properties. Yesterday CBS 4 News reported on the same scam being purpetrated on others. In fact some people even lost there money.

Oh my!

Why I ask would anyone in their right mind send money out of the country to rent a home? And to Nigeria? Hello?

Rules for Renting:

Any good intending homeowner or professional manager, will be taking an application from you. While they check you out, you check them out!

Home ownership is a matter of public record. Check it.
In Colorado Property Management companies are licensed by the State. Check them.
Don’t send money until you are certain of ownership, management in charge and if the keys actually work. (Of course most anybody can have a vacant property re-keyed, so that may not be the best advice).

Footnote in Defense of Nigerians

A few years ago one of my agents had the pleasure of dealing with a family from Nigerian. She loved working with them as they treated her respectfully and were most pleasant to deal with. This leads me to conclude there are actually nice people in Nigeria, unfortunately there are also a bunch of crooks that give everyone else a bad name.