Heads up to craigslist posters

Juanita: I got the same thing - knew it was a scam and just ignored the emails asking about deposits, etc. Then a few weeks after the initial email I received a check via UPS and an email telling me to cash the check and send money from the check to a woman in California for the furniture to be delivered. Called the FBI and they suggested I report it on www.fbi.gov, then click Internet Crime. He told me that when people see the same name and email address over and over they check it out. Whenever I receive one of those emails telling me they will send a check for more than the amount requested I just delete it.

I like to play along with them. They say that they will send the check and more and all they want you to do is return the extra money to them. About two years ago I took all the paper work to the FBI office. Of course it was a small thing to them and they said they would look into it.
So now what I do is I like to hook them, good. And then when we get the sending the money I tell them that I am sending their info, along with all of their emails to the FBI. Funny, I never hear from them again!

They also use a floating email. They just resign under a new name. So there is no way that you can catch them. It is a shame that the world has gotten to this level. You try to rent you apartment and someone it trying to steal money from you

You are right they do have a problem with our language.

So watch out!

Happy rentals!

billd

Everyone, stay clear of these parasites. Our company fell for this nonsense. We lost money to these idiots. If it sounds to go to be true and they are oh so eager, you've got a thief on your hands.

I ran across two ads on craigslist, same pictures except one rental was cheaper than other. I printed them both read them each, and felt the one with the broken English and living in Nigeria was the scam. I then sent the owners an email letting them know what was going on. I found out that a lady moving down to the islands had already lost money over this scam. The owners turned them in. Three weeks later he was back, under a different name. So there are some out there that are trying to rent out your property, soon as they get the money, never heard from again.

Good thread Juanita,

Last year I returned to STX and saw a sad fellow at the airport. I started talking to him to see if I could help. He said he felt like the biggest idoit because he had gotten scammed from Craigslist. He was trying to secure a rental for 2 weeks and fell for a scam coming from a Nigeria living in England. He sent the scammer $$$ in return for an envelope with keys for the rental. A week passed and no envelope arrived. The second week passed, same nothing....So, still having hope, he flew down and the scammer told him he would express another envelope. Nothing arrived, and he was stuck at the airport with no place to stay. Fortunately, he had visited STX before and knew his way around, but he did feel like a HEEL!

This is very important for anyone considering a relocate to the USVI, beware craigslist.

oh wow. i feel bad for the guy but, really, who sends money without something really knowing who the person is or renting a place unseen?

I always get the emails!!!! Talking about how they're dying and they want to name me in their will or they head up this bank in Africa and they can secure a wire to me...Tell tale signs are if they request your address, telephone number, employment info. and the grammatically incorrect writing. I send it straight to SPAM.