Please read this memo carefully. This is about Walt Winkelman whom we met and spoiled his plan.
I live in Chicago and placed an ad for rent. I was contacted by Walt Winkelman, who really seemed interested in the room and provided his number.
Next morning, we met and I showed him the place. He insisted about getting the place and renting it asap and moving tomorrow. He actually started making a legal lease document himself.
My first impression looking into his eyes was this "his eyes were hidden behind glasses, but the looks were dishonest"
He had discribed himself the night before setting a meeting point as "I am 57, salt and pepper hair, 5 foot 8 inches, beard and glasses"
Mr Winkelman did not mention anything about the place, and as I showed him the apartment complex, and got him to my apartment, the incidents that followed were scary, selfish, and blatant lies.
He discribed himself as a PhD with his course work completed and getting a fellow ship in Rotterdam starting September '08. So his stay was going to be till Aug 31. He didnt ask any questions and just wanted to get the place, my wife and I liked him since his demeanor was some what elderly but his words kept changing.
Bottom line is this: He was extremely cunning, quite, didnt ask anything about the place, just wanted to shift the next day and asked how we liked him.
Once everything was done, then came the fun part, or the part that could have cost us pain, money, damage, time, and regretting ever to offer our place for rent.
He took out a check and without any concerns, put the amount of rent.
I asked him we would need the deposit also and he agreed. Suddenly when he gave me the check, I noticed something not right. My name was ok, date was fine, amount was good, but the signature line read a name "Bonita something"
Next everything changed. I asked him is that his name, and he said "That is something I forgot to discuss with you" and his story was this.
The name on the check was a business name, he said it was a business that he had 50% partnership in and the signed name he put was his partners name.
My answer was that sorry, but would prefer if this was your check made out to me.
His attitude changed 100%, he became irriated, his mouth gasped open, he said now look what you did, all this was going in perfect harmony and now thats gone. He also mentioned "what difference does it make if you get the funds" My wife quite till now, got up saw the name and said what is the matter? I explained and felt bad because now an elderly man was upset, acting all strange, someone who we gave time respect to, who was going to move in less than 24hrs.
Walk Winkelman suddenly got upset, tore the lease paper he just created, tore the check he had forged and said this was suppose to be a surprise to you kids of good faith. I asked did i offend you and the answer was yes but being scared he would not talk or say anything at all.
By now my wife and I both got spine chills knowing a con artist whose supposed to be a Phd, working on happiness, who pretends to have a father who was an entrepreneur, is now all likely to be a lie. Next he just wanted to get out of the place and run.
He asked "are you going to show me out" We walked with him, his face expression was scared, low, open mouth, like a liar caught, and wanted to run out. Once we got out of the elevator, he then said "I can see myself out"
and disappeared.
He left his check and the torn lease. We were in shock and could not believe what just had happened.
I searched him online and found plenty of stuff on google. He has two kids, went through a divorce he said, hasnt payed child support in thousands, nor does he ever meet his children.
Check out few sites
Http://usacomplaints.com/reports/0/274/RipOff0274854.htm
Http://usacomplaints.com/reports/0/288/RipOff0288152.htm
Http://www.childsupportinillinois.com/winkelman.htm
Http://archiver. Rootsweb.com/th/read/WINKELMAN-06/1182777920
Http://zazazu. Wordpress.com/about/
Always, get an ID. Always ask questions, references, criminal check, do everything you to save yourself situations like these.
Walk, next time I see you, will send the cops after you for giving a bad check.
Like someone stated, reputation follows and you cant hide if you keep doing this to people. Plus your stories didnt match. Stop scamming, what you do to others, will come 10 folds. Unbelievable.
"Im sure his fellowship was a lie, as well as rest of your stories"
You own a business? Be ethical
Askally
CHICAGO, Illinois
U.S.A.
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