On Craig's List there is a "too good to be true" deal for a 2bd/2ba in a luxiourious apartment complex for $800/month (utilities included!) in the heart of Old Town Pasadena. Feeling that this is just "too good", I did a little research on-line and found the consumer complaints with the exact wording of the emails that I received.
These people ask you for money first, then make it sound so secure. But in the end, it is just too perfect. I have included the exact emails that I received which were IDENTICAL to the ones that the other report here regarding another apartment deal. I have since called the complex in Pasadena and they assured me that they have NEVER sold any of their complexes and are only a rental property.
My first email asked if this was a typo for the rent price.
=
Email#1:
Hello,
Thank you for your interest. I have available the apartment located at 375 E. Green street pasadena, ca 91101. The apartment itself has 1400 sq. Ft 2bedrooms and 2 bathrooms perfect furniture. Appliances: Air conditioning, Cable ready, Carpeting, Ceiling fan, Hardwood floors, High speed internet available, Vaulted ceiling, Walk-in closets, Dishwasher, Garbage disposal, Microwave, Refrigerator, Washer/dryer hookups, Washer/dryer in unit, Balcony/Deck/Patio, Laundry room, Parking Covered.
I moved to London, in United Kingdom about six months ago. New job, new responsibilities I have to be here until everything will settle down. I kept my apartment because I wanted to have a comfortable and familiar place to stay when I come visit my family. I had a lot of work done in the apartment while I was gone, and when I recently returned to stay there I feel in love with the place all over again. I will not sell it. I will just rent while I'm London. It may take up to 5 years. I want someone to stay in the apartment because I don't want it empty when I'm not there. You can have the apt for the period of time suitable for you of course.
I don't have a lot of personal things in the apartment, but it is fully furnished and ready to move in. There are a lot of empty bookshelves so hopefully you can fill them up with whatever you want.
I'm only asking for $800.00 a month because I own the apartment and it's paid off.
I'm being selective so please send a description of what you do and why I should rent the apartment, and anything else that might give you the upper hand. Of course I would need a deposit as well, one month rent, which you would get back when you move it or whenever I feel like I can completely trust you.
The rent for 1 month is $800.00 including all utilities (water, electricity, Internet, cable, parking, air conditioning). You can move in the apt in the same day when you receive the keys. The only problem is that I 'm the only person who have the keys but I hope that we will find a compromise.
Above all things, this is a great place and opportunity for someone. Hope to hear back from you soon!
Best Regards,
PS: This is a cat and dog-friendly building. Other pets are allowed with monthly pet rent*. (Maximum 4 pets per apartment.)
*PET RENT: $10 Cats, $30 for dogs over 45lbs; $15 for all other dogs.
Jessica Peterson
=
At this point, I thought her name was Jessica so my response included her name in the beginning. But as you noticed, this person never signs the emails!
=
Email #2:
Thank you for your information's *. I really appreciate it. I am really pleased that you like the apt. I can tell you this is a great location, neighborhood full of the elegant clubs, restaurants, cafes and shopping. The apt is located above the posh Paseo Colorado retail village overlooking the San Gabriel Mountains. Offering spectacular views of downtown Pasadena and the San Gabriel Mountains. Step outside your front door and located within a few steps are over 60 of the finest boutiques, restaurants, and shops Pasadena has to offer.
Like I have informed you before, the price you have to pay for one month of rent will be $800.00 with no extra fees. About the payment, I would like to receive it monthly into my bank account and I hope there will be no problem for you to wire the money to it. The apartment is ready for you, you only need to receive the keys and the contract so you could check it out, and see if you like it. The apt will be furnished exactly like in the pictures but it cab be rented easily unfurnished. The apt has a parking lot assigned.
Since I'm in London we will need a way to complete this deal that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are asking for. I have found away for us to complete the deal safely and fast, and in this way you will receive the Keys in less than 2 days. The solution is provided by TNT similar to FedEx, DHL or UPS, which will handle the payment and delivery of the Keys. I have found a procedure that will allows you to pay for the rent of the apt only after you will receive the keys, and through this way you will see it and decide if you like it or not, before sending the payment. Please click on the link bellow to the TNT web site to see how we can
complete the deal safely and fast directly from the web site of the company where this procedure is explained:
Http://www.tnt.com/country/en_generic/services/special_services/timecritical.html
Let me know if you are interested, because I really need to take care of this matter by the end of next week.
Kindly,
Jessica Peterson
=
Clearly not "Jessica", my email following this was clarifying that she didn't mean 800 Pounds (which would make a lot more sense for the apartment!) and if I could know a little more about her.instead her following email was impersonal and did not address any of my questions.
=
Email#3:
Thank you again for your reply. If you are ready to proceed with this transaction I will need to inform you with the steps on how this service works and how we can make it happen. You will only have to deposit to TNT Service the first month of rent $ 800.00 so they can proceed with the shipping, and you can receive the keys and the contract. We will make the contract this of prod of time that you will need the place for. The payment will be made monthly in to my bank account. Like I said, I will pay for a 2 days delivery so you will receive the Keys and the contract signed by me right away. I will explain you step by step how this will work.
1 - To start this transaction I will need to know your full shipping information, full name, full shipping address to proceed with this deal.
2 - I will go to the TNT Office and leave the Keys and the contract in your name as the intended receiver.
3 - TNT will check the envelope to see if everything is OK with it and also the legal papers that will come along with the Keys.
4 - TNT will send you a delivery notification to let you know they have the Keys and the papers in their custody, in which you will be told that they have the Keys and that they checked it.
5 - At this point you will have to go to a Money Gram office Location and make a money deposit on the TNT payment agent name for the amount we agreed, the total amount you shall deposit is for the first month of rent.
6 - After you make the deposit you will have to send the info about the money deposit to TNT (Reference Number, sender's name and address)
7 - TNT will verify the payment information's and if everything is in order they will deliver the Keys and the contract to you.
8 - After you receive the package, You will go and check the apt and in 2 days you must contact them and tell them if you keep the apt or not, if all is in order you will instruct TNT to send me the information about the money deposit and I will be able to receive the funds. If you don 't like the apt they will send your money back to you, and you will send them the keys and the contract.
I will pay the TNT Service for the shipping and you will pay Money Gram for the Money Transfer fee.
Let me know if we can do this, and email me all your full shipping information so we can proceed with this shipping.
My Best Wishes
=
At this point, my stomach is somewhat queasy as this is just not right. I finally decided to do an internet search and finally called the apartment complex which told me that they have never sold any of their units. I also found the consumer complaints. Here is the last email to me...
=
Email#4:
Hello Lydia,
I have been today to TNT and I have made the arrangements for the shipping of the keys and the contract. Let me know if you have received the invoice so we can proceed.
At this point you will have to go to a Money Gram office Location and make a money deposit on the TNT payment agent name for the amount we agreed, the total amount you shall deposit is for the first month of rent.
After you make the deposit you will have to send the info about the money deposit to TNT (Reference Number, sender's name and address)
TNT will verify the payment information's and if everything is in order they will deliver the Keys and the contract to you.
After you receive the package, You will go and check the apt and in 2 days you must contact them and tell them if you keep the apt or not, if all is in order you will instruct TNT to send me the information about the money deposit and I will be able to receive the funds. If you don 't like the apt they will send your money back to you, and you will send them the keys and the contract.
.
My Best Wishes, Eliza
0 comments