My New Home!

Last month our apartment lease was up. So we decided to look for a new apartment. We of course turned to Craigslist to find a new home. If you've ever looked for an apartment on Craigslist you have no doubt come across the "too good to be true" apartment ad. If it's not really an offer for you take over somebody else's house payment it's probably a scam.

I hate to admit it, but I actually emailed one these because I just had to see if it's real. Here's the ad title (the original ad was flagged for removal, not surprisingly): $800 / 1br - LARGE DETACHED 2ND FLOOR ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT IN 25th St (Santa Monica, CA)

Below is the text my email exchange with my Future Scamlord:
ME:
Is this available to view today?
If so, where is it located?
Thanks
Penny

SCAMLORD Reply:
Thanks for your email and interest in renting my house..I am Henderson Flatauer,the owner of the house you are making enquiry of…Actually I resided in the house with my family, my wife and my only daughter before and presently we have moved out due to my transfer from my work now in Warsaw,Poland. Presently my house is still available for rent for $800 USD (rent already includes utilities).Moreso Now, i’m currently in West Africa, for an international Christian follower’s crusade.

Pls i want you to note that,i am a kind, honest and trustworthy man and also i spent a lot on my property that i want to give to you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and want you to treat it as your own, It is not the money that is the main problem but i want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat when i come for a check up……….I also want you to let me have trust in you as i always stand on my word.. This is the address of the House: (1217 25th St Santa Monica, CA 90404 )..

It has a Lovely home in a nice Laguna neighbourhood. is known for excellent schools. Conveniently located with nearby shopping centers, hospitals, free ways and public transportation. This is a must see. Amenities W/D Hookups Central Heat & A/C Granite Tiled Fireplace Ceiling Fans Vaulted Ceilings Cable Available Broadband Available
Custom Drapes in Living Room, Dining Room, & Master Bedroom Blinds

SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE
RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW

RENT APPLICATION FORM.
FIRST NAME:__________?
MIDDLE NAME:__________?
LAST NAME:__________?
PROFESSION:__________?
PHONE:
(CELL)PHONE__________?
(WORK)PHONE__________?
(HOME)PHONE__________?
KIDS _____ (YES/NO), HOW MANY ________
PRESENT ADDRESS: _____________________
CITY: _______________
STATE:______________
ZIP CODE: ____________
HOW LONG? ___________IF RENTING
CITIZEN OF WHICH COUNTRY _____________?
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 hearing 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…Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the keys to you,please we are giving you all this based on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words,you know that we have not seen yet and only putting everything into God hands,so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this…
Thank and God bless you ………….

ME :

Dear Mr Samantha (I use the name on the email address, completely ignoring his actual name)
Thanks for your response. I have filled out the application below. Please note I am not using my real name as my WITSEC agent has advised me not to.
But the information below is as accurate as I can get for now.
I really like this place. Had my boys scout it out last night.
If you like I can have my West Africa connections deliver an entire years rent to you in US cash (small untraceable bills, of course) to the mission where you are.
I really admire that you are doing that by the way.

Please let me know where you are... so I know where to find you if you screw me over... hahaha... just kidding.

Thanks and God bless you too.

RENT APPLICATION FORM.
FIRST NAME: Penny
MIDDLE NAME: Capone
LAST NAME: Fussell
PROFESSION: Casual Pharmaceuticals
PHONE:
(CELL)PHONE: Only have a disposable one at the moment: you can use 310-272-2540 (CRACK-H0) for the next 48 hours. Or text: "KILO" to NDAFX(63239) and I will hit you right back.
(WORK)PHONE: see above
(HOME)PHONE: see above
KIDS yes (YES/NO), HOW MANY: 6
PRESENT ADDRESS: unable to disclose due to the terms of my deal with the Feds.
CITY: _______________
STATE:______________
ZIP CODE: ____________
HOW LONG? ___________IF RENTING
CITIZEN OF WHICH COUNTRY: USA by way Sicily
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING: I think the guys I rolled on are on to me.
IF THIS HOUSE IS BEING GIVEN TO YOU,
HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING? Just laying low until things blow over.
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN? Right after I testify in Federal Court
IF YOU HAVE A PET,
NAME OF PET: Killer
KIND OF PETS: Pitbull French Poodle Mix
HABITS
DO YOU SMOKE well, not cigarettes if that's what you're asking
DO YOU DRINK hell yeah!
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT? Well I work ALL night, so sure.

At this point I figured they would know I was on to them. I didn't expect a reply. But lo and behold...

SCAMLORD reply:
Thanks for getting back to me with the Rent Application Form. I just wanted to let you know that we have decided to let you live in our house. As we have found your application very satisfactory and acceptable by my family. So we would want you to go through this email and get back to us on what you feel so we could proceed in renting the house to you.We would like to send the following documents and keys to you via Dhl to the address you sent to us and the tracking number will be sent to you so that you can possibly occupy our house, Please once again, we are giving you this on trust and do not dissapoint us and i promise you that, you will love the house so we are with the below document and keys here with us.. You will need to make Payment for the first ($985) to enable shipment of the Keys and document to the address you have to provide to us, after which you could move in at your convenience. The rent starts counting when you move in, so you could go ahead with the payment straight away to make things faster….Here are the contents of the document that needs to be sent.after the first month deposit of ($985) i will have to send you the lease agreement form so that you can sign for prove and send back to me asap.

1) Entrance and the rooms Keys
2) Paper/Permanent house form
3) The house document file.
4) Full Description of the house
5) Payment Receipt

The house is available for rent at the moment so you are free to move in as soon as you wish to…………A Deposit of $985 (which happens to be the first months rent) is required before moving in…Feel free to call me for more information and arrangements on how to get the keys and other necessary documents delivered to you…..my number is (+2347085806071) or (+0112347085806071).The house will be available for rent for a period of 4 years so you have a choice of deciding how long you intend staying there..

All i need now is for you to make the first month deposit of ($985) so that the keys and documents can be send to the address you send to me in your rent applications form, so get back to me asap and let me know if i should forward you the information on how you will be making the payment via western union.

Some people do not know when they are being punked. He even included pictures of my new home.






















I move in a week after hell freezes over.