This person was posting ads on Seattle-Craigslist in the Apartments/Housing section. Offering an "unbelievable" deal for a luxury condo/apartment. The following email script was sent to me last Friday and I received an identical email today from another scammer:
Hello and thank you for your reply.
I want to let you know that I decided that you are perfect to become my tenants and I will be more then happy to be your Landlord.
As I told you before I want to use the Yahoo Homes rental services to rent the apartment. Here you can find more information about how everything works (Yahoo Homes Rental Services). Please read the terms in order to see if you agree. Right now they are already in the possession of the keys and they will take care of everything on my behalf.
I will also try to explain you step by step how everything is handled (according to the 5 steps from the rental terms):
(Step 1) You decide that you want to rent the apartment and you contact me with your full name, date of birth and the address where you want the keys and also the contract be delivered. Then I will forward all the information to Yahoo Homes and in maximum 24 hours they will approve the transaction and will contact you with the confirmation of the transaction and also future transaction instructions.
(Step 2) You will have to deposit 2700$ (2 month 1 guarantee month) to Yahoo Homes. They will lock the payment on your behalf (only you can unlock the payment). Upon payment confirmation the shipping of the keys and of the contract will be started.By paying you are not committing to anything, you are just respecting a policy of a rental company. The money that you will pay are 100% refundable, no questions will be asked if you request a refund.
(Step 3) After the payment will be confirmed and locked in Yahoo Homes custody, the shipping of the keys and of the contract will be started.in 5 days you will receive the keys and also the contract.
(Step 4) After you will receive the keys and the contract, you will have 10 days to inspect the apartment (you will not be charged for the 10 days). At the end of the 10 days you have the right to decide if you want to rent it or not (if the apartment meets your conditions).
(Step 5) If you want to rent it, you will sign the contract and fax it to Yahoo Homes representative. After that you will have to instruct Yahoo Homes to release the funds to me (in all this time your money will be locked into Yahoo Homes possession and won't be forwarded to me until they will receive your confirmation that you accept to rent the apartment).
If you don't want to rent it, you will contact Yahoo Homes and ask to have your money refunded.in this situation, in maximum 24 hours they will refund your money back and you will return the keys and also the contract to me. The returning of the keys and also of the contract, will be done with the same company that will deliver it and I will support the returning taxes. (I am sure we won't need to use the return policy because the apartment is exactly as I described it and I am sure it will meet your conditions).
So the conclusion is: The money will stay in Yahoo! Homes custody until you receive the keys and inspect the apartment.
This are the transaction steps. I hope everything is clear and in case you agree to start the transaction, I am waiting for your email with the requested information (full name, date of birth, delivery address) so I can initiate the transaction with Yahoo Homes. After receiving the information from you, I will contact Yahoo Homes and start the transaction with you as my tenant and as the intended receiver of the keys. From my part everything is prepared with Yahoo Homes, the transaction will be started same day when I receive the information from you.
If you have any other question, don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank you!
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