Sarahiously Speaking

I know you’ve all been on the edge of your seats!  So, here’s the last update regarding this particular internet real estate scam.  When we last checked in on Michael Richie, Nigerian internet scammer, he was trying to convince me to send him $1400 through Western Union to rent the house I already own.  This is the email chain that picks up where we left off. 

Hello Sarah,

Im glad you meet with some of the neighbours,you are to use Western Union Money Transfer to wire the money,below is the details will need:

Kindly back to me with the payment information that includes the Mtcn,Sender’s name and address and the text question and answer.You can use “what for” answer “Keys”

Sure the couch do stay.

I hope to read from you soon.

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 Micheal,
 
I don’t feel very comfortable using Western Union Money Transfer.  It offers me virtually no way of knowing you actually got the money.  I am sure you can understand my hesitation since I am sending money to a foreign country.  Are you not willing to provide me with bank instructions?  It is the easiest and would allow me to deposit the rent money every month directly into your account.  There is no way for me to withdraw money using the wire instructions, only deposit – if that is your concern. 
 
What about the dining room table?  Can I use that too? 
 
When will I need to sign a lease? 
 
Thanks!
Sarah Kelso

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Hello Sarah,

I do not see any stress using the Western Union service,as i said in my previous mail,that we are in a research and due to the duration we are going to stay,we decide not to make use of our account only if we know how long you intend to stay,that is why i am sending you this application form.

There is no problem to receive the money down here once the information given is correct,its a fast and easy service.It should give you no burden that about the foreign country,I just provided you with my details for payment.I’ll wait for the form before I know what next to do.

RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW
 
RENT APPLICATION FORM. 
FIRST NAME:__________?
MIDDLE NAME:__________?
LAST NAME:__________?
DATE OF BIRTH:__________?
PROFESSION:__________?
PHONE:
(CELL)PHONE__________?
(WORK)PHONE__________?
(HOME)PHONE__________?
KIDS _____ (YES/NO), HOW MANY ________
PRESENT ADDRESS: _____________________
CITY: _______________
STATE:______________
ZIP CODE: ____________
HOW LONG? ___________IF RENTING
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING__________?
IF THIS HOUSE IS BEING GIVEN TO YOU,
HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING? ____________?
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN? ______________?
IF YOU HAVE A PET,
NAME OF PET: _____________?
KIND OF PETS: _____________?
HABITS
DO YOU SMOKE ______________ ?
DO YOU DRINK ______________?
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT ____?
 
Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file incase of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you.

Kindly don’t let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this.
 
Thanks and Remain Blessed. – Micheal

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Michael-

You may not see the stress in sending money to a foreign country, but you’re not the one sending the money. You will be receiving the money.  You have no risk of losing the money, I do.  I don’t see the big deal in giving me bank account info.  Surely you had bank accounts while in the United States and surely you didn’t close them if you are just going to be in Nigeria for a year and a half.  Why can’t you give me the bank information and make this easier on all of us? 
 
I will fill out the application tonight and get it back to you tomorrow.  Why does it matter isf I work late at night?  And why does the application reference being given the house?  I don’t understand that part.  I also asked you in my previous email when I could sign a lease.  I need a lease to lawfully occupy the property.  It sounds like you guys haven’t leased out many properties.  You have mentioned a Realtor in the past, I am sure you can contact a local real estate firm while you are in Nigeria and ask for their services.  I don’t want to miss out on this house because of money and timing issues. 
 
Thanks!
Sarah Kelso 

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Micheal -
 
Here is my rental application. Please let me know asap if I am approved, as I need housing asap!  The bank that foreclosed on the home I am currently renting has given me until June 30 to move out. 
 
I went to my local Western Union today and they said that they could not wire any money to an address with the zip code you provided.  Apparently it is the same zip code as a town in Virginia and they have had issues with that. They suggested I ask you for another address or specific wiring information for your local Western Union.  They also suggested that I wire the money directly to a bank like I’ve been asking to do the last few days. 
 
How would I get in contact with you if something went wrong with the townhouse?  Like a pipe leaks or something like that?  Do you have an application fee?  If so, how much is it?  When will I get a copy of the lease to sign if I am approved and how will I return the lease to you? 

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Hello Sarah, 

The form is approved and it pleases me.I check on the website for Western union outlets for payment centre,here are few below for easy location.

www.westernunion.com

Of cause you can wire to the address i gave you,here is it again below.

You are to get back to me with the payment information and text question and answer you choose.

I thought i explained why i cant be using bank wire in my last mail,i really wish i can help out in issue like this since you want to move in immediately as stated in the form,i can assure the shipment if the payment can be confirmed as soon as possible.Of cause i know its same zip with state VA but i do not think its same country.

Well as for the the security deposit for any damage,I will be sending some documents along with the shipment that contains everything about the house,also the lease,papers for repair if anything gets faulty and a paper form that will be scanned to me when you fill it with a pen.How many months do you want to pay for?

Remain blessed

Micheal

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Michael-

Well this is good news!  However, as I stated in my prior email the local Western Unions won’t let me wire money to that address.  You will need to come up with an alternative.  I am competent enough to google my local Western Unions, although I appreciate that you took the time to do it for me. 
 
Please send me alternative wiring instructions so I can send you the deposit and 1st months rent today!
 
Thanks! 
 
Sarah

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 Hello Sarah,

 Im glad we are moving ahead,if i do understand what you mean by alternative,you are talking about the western union information,here is it below:

Get back to me if anything you dont get right.And i do hope you have a wonderful stay.

With Regards

 Micheal

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 Michael -

I don’t know how I can be more clear.  Western Union will NOT allow me to send money to this zipcode!  They said NO!  Please send me alternative wiring instructions so I can wire the money soon.
 
Thanks!
Sarah

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Is is possible to make the payment to the state while i give a Western union details?because i don’t really know what you are up to and i am waiting. 

Micheal

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Michael,

I don’t understand your question.  Make my payment to the state of Virginia?  The last I heard from you it was a Sunday evening.  Not much is open on Sunday evenings in this area.  You should be well aware of that since you’ve lived here.  I have been waiting for you to gve me some secure way of sending you money.  Thus far, you have not offered that.  So, I guess I’m the one waiting.
 
Sarah

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 Hello Sarah,

 I got back to you with another Western union details,let me know if you cant use western union to make the payment.I also said you can make use of Money Gramm.I dont understand why this payment can’t go through,western union dont have much problem like this.

I provided you with another address and yet you still say they complain,i called the customer care to make enquiry about this and they said of cause its possible,i dont think i am the one keeping you waiting,rather you are the one,i don’t know what other payment you are talking about when i just confirmed i can only use western union or money gramm for now. 

That is the changed address above.You next reply will tell my next step.

With regards

Micheal

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Michael –  

I had just wired the money from Money Gram, but I have put a hold on it becuase a funny thing happened today.  I went over to the house and ran into someone claiming to be the owner of the property.  I thought you owned the property.  Please explain so I can send go ahead and send the money.
 
Thanks!
Sarah 

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 Hello Sarah,

 I left information with one of my Realtor about the house but i later told him not to bother ill handle things myself,apart from that ,anyone you meet there is not the owner.I am the owner and you contact me initial on it from craiglist.

You can go ahead and authorize the payment while i prepare the shipment tomorrow first thing.I do hope you don’t get yourself involve with anyone trying to claim he his the owner.

I wait your remain soon.I will be waiting for the payment information.

Remain blessed.

Micheal

 __________________________________________________________________________________________

 Michael-

So, the man that showed me the tax records for the house that says he is the owner is not the owner?  It said his name right there on the tax records.  He also said he would have me arrested if I moved into the property.  I am so confused.  Please provide me with something that says you are the owner of the property.  How long have you owned this property?  Who did you buy it from? 
 
I will only take the hold off of the transfer once you confirm ownership.
 
Thanks.
Sarah  

 __________________________________________________________________________________________

 Hello,

This is what am talking about,ever since i removed my post from craiglist,its not other secure because people will claim they are the owner,if the payment can be processed today,i can have them shipped with in 15hours,ill have to pay for express shipment.

I have the documents here with me as well,i suggest you ignore any issues from him,i am giving you my words and do not panic over anything because my house is secured and under a good control once some one moves in,all this will be over because you will be having the original papers with you.

Thanks for understanding.

Micheal

__________________________________________________________________________________________

 Michael-

If you do own the house you should be able to supply me with some sort of record saying that you own the house.  You should at least be able to tell me who you purchased it from and when.  You are not making me feel very secure about this transaction. 
 
Sarah

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Hello Sarah,

I don’t know how i can proof this to you any longer,I said in my last email that i am here with the documents of the house but it seems you don’t want to believe me.

This are the documents that can show that you are leasing from the true owner of the house,it makes no sense if i tell you when i bought it,its not a proof,or who i bought it from,but i believe a paper work can show all this with,i said this is 100% risk free and don’t get bored over the person you meet in the house claiming to be the owner.

If you are doubting me and then i believe you should put a stop to the payment because i am calm about this situation as i said,i want to trust you that you will handle and care of my house like yours,and i want you to believe that all required info will be shiped to you

Micheal.

 __________________________________________________________________________________________

 Michael -

I will handle this house like it is my own.  Don’t worry about that.  You know why I’ll treat it so well?  Cause it is MY own home!  I own this house!  I pay the mortgage on this home!  I am the only one with the right to rent it out.  See, if you truly owned the home you would be able to reference things about the home and realize that tax records are public and that anyone can see who the owner of a home is. 
 
You are a con-artist!  And not a very good one.  Luckily 2 of the consumers you tried to rent MY house to contacted me directly.  That’s how the Craig’s List post was removed.   
 
I appreciate you playing along with my game. I have been posting your emails on the internet as a warning to consumers and homeowners.  I’ve also sent our correspondence to the local sheriff’s office, the FBI – Internet Crimes, and, again, it has been published on the internet for posterity. 
 
I recommend you do your best to make sure you don’t STEAL any of my properties and list them as your own again.  I also recommend that you get out of this line of business.  You aren’t good at it. 
 
Thank you for taking the time to give me as much information as you have about your enterprise.  It has been thoroughly entertaining and very educational.
 
Regards.
Sarah

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That was the last time I heard from Michael Richie.  What has amazed me the most about this entire ordeal is the length these scammers are willing to go to get the money.  I was also flabergasted when the scammer actually mentioned Craig’s List scams to me.  Consumers need to remember that these scam artists wouldn’t be running these scams if they didn’t work.  This particular scammer tried to play on my emotions and religious beliefs to get me to send him money.  They will do whatever they need to do to have a successful outcome.  Do your homework when trying to rent or purchase a property.  Hire a professional to help you through the process.  And remember, if it looks too good to be true, it most like is.

I posted New Internet/ Real Estate Scam in February after a REALTOR(R) friend informed me that several of her listings had been “stolen” and posted on Craig’s List by a man in Nigeria.  After doing some more research and talking to other REALTORS(R) across the state, it appears that this scam is very widespread.  It also appears that some consumers are still falling for it.  Well, this scam hit closer to home for me last week when my husband was notified by a phone call that a woman had been in contact with a man named Micheal Richie to rent out one of our personal homes!  Just a few days later I received an email from a consumer on Trulia asking me about this same home and if a man named Micheal Richie owned it.  My husband and I explained to both consumers that we, in fact, owned the home and asked where they had come into contact with Michael Richie.  They both sent us an email correspondence chain resulting from their rental home search on Craig’s List.  (You may be asking why I wasn’t checking my own listings on Craig’s List since I reported on this scam.  Well, I was.  And so was my husband.  Michael Richie’s posting of our home slipped by both of us).  Both consumers agreed to help in any way that they could to gather more information on Michael Richie in hopes of stopping this type of scam.  (Luckily, neither consumer sent Mr. Richie any money). 

I decided to do more own digging into Michael Richie, more to annoy him than anything, but also to see how much information I could gather and how far this man was willing to go to earn $1400.  Yes, all this for $1400.  But, if you multiply $1400 by 100 consumers duped into sending money to Nigeria, he would make $140,000 and I guess that could be worth it.  Here’s my email chain with Michael Richie regarding the property that I own that he has on Craig’s List to rent:

I am interested in renting this home.  My friend sent me your contact information.  Can you please send me more information.
Thanks!
Sarah Kelso

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How can I see the house if I can’t get inside it?  I would like to see the condition of the inside of the house.  I’ve already seen the outside of the house.  I’m not quite sure why you don’t have someone here or a representative here that can show me the inside of the house.  You keep mentioning a Realtor.  I don’t care if you have a Realtor or not; I just need to find a house to move into quickly.   
Thank you!
Sarah Kelso

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A few weeks ago I was contacted by a local REALTOR.  She alerted me to a problem she was having with her rental properties and Craig’s List.  It appears that someone is stealing her rental listings and posting them!  They are even using this REALTOR’s name in the ads.  (And one advertisement actually had the name of the owner of the home listed).  Here’s how the scam goes:

1.  Person posts a property for rent using the REALTOR’s pictures and name, but for less money than what it is actually on the market for.  All of this information has been gathered from housing databases on the internet.

2.  Prospective renters contact the “REALTOR,” via a free email address that has been set up, to inquire about the property.

3.  The “REALTOR” sends the prospective tenant an email application that is really just a few questions about yourself including:  Your Name, Your Current Address,  Your Age, Your Marital Status, Your Occupation, and Your Cell and Work Phone Numbers.  By the way, you have just given more than enough information about yourself to have your identity stolen. 

4.  The prospective tenant fills out the questionnaire and email it back to the “REALTOR.” 

5.  The “REALTOR” contacts the prospective tenant in a few short days and lets them know their application has been approved.  The “REALTOR” then gives the prospective tenant an address they can send the security deposit and first months rent to.  (Or) The “REALTOR” will set up an appointment to meet the prospective tenant at the rental property; putting the prospective tenant in danger!

6.  The prospective tenant never receives keys to the property and can not track down the person that they sent the money to.  Or, the prospective tenant does receive keys and moves into a property that they have no right to live in.  This results in a lengthy court battle between the tenant and the actual owner of the property.  Or even worse, the prospective tenant is mugged at the property showing.

If you are looking for a rental property there are some important things to remember.  First, anyone can post anything on Craig’s List!  There is no way of proving the advertiser has the right to sell or rent the product.  Second, google the listing.  If the home is for rent through a real estate company you should be able to find the information on multiple websites.  Third, if the price looks too good to be true, it usually is.  Make sure you research the average rental costs in the area you want to live in.  Fourth, no owner will conduct a rental transaction entirely over the internet!  It’s just not going to happen.  If there is an absentee owner, they will most likely hire a real estate company to promote the property and their best interests.  If an owner of a rental property is requiring everything to be handled over the internet, walk away!  Fifth, if you are going to view a rental property, do not go alone.  Always take a friend with you.  And, never view properties after dark.  Sixth, hire a REALTOR!  REALTORS can help you find rental properties.  REALTORS also have access to databases that allow them to verify property ownership and can help verify that the property is not on its way to foreclosure. 

Don’t fall victim to the latest real estate scam!  If you come across one of these scams, contact your local sheriff’s office and file a complaint.