In my previous article, I told you about an event that was happening in real time. One of my listings had been stripped and re-listed by someone I would love to meet in a dark alley. However, I will have to settle for the fact that the hosting site moved quickly. They removed the phony ad. Restored my ad and launched an investigation into this person.
I ended the last article by dissecting the phony ad. Today we look more deeply into the ad looking for red flags. I want to point out things you should look out for when looking at a listing.
This is not a short article but it is an important one. Stripping occurs in rentals and sales. It can cost you thousands if pulled off successfully. Let’s begin…
The Stripped Ad
After he copied my photos and text, he then claimed to be the owner of the property. Next, he lowered the rent to a ridiculous level; and added lots of amenities. Some of which could not exist on this property.
The Scammer’s method of operation.
- In order to get someone to click on his ad, he had to appeal to the greed factor of his target.
- He counted on the fact that the person would not be using an agent.
- He wanted to target as large an audience as possible.
For instance, a check of the photos of the house and its rooms shows that there is no disability access. However, the scammer’s ad stated that there is one. This is something that widens his targets to include the disabled.
Lots of Amenities
Let’s look at the amenities that the scammer offers. It is obvious, this person wants to spread his net wide. This place has everything and it’s only $1000.00 US.
Breakdown of the Amenities
There is a porch but no patio or deck. Such items would be shown as an incentive to rent. There are no photos of these items.
Then there is the size of the property. How could it have a pool, garden, lawn, deck, and greenhouse? Exactly where would they be? This house is semi-detached with a shared driveway and garage, so where is the greenhouse, etc?
This fool expected to attract an even bigger fool. Someone who wanted a lot of house for nothing. As with most scams, the scammer depends on the greed factor to influence judgment. As well as a lack of a real estate professional.
The Good Agent
Why it’s important to the scammer that you do not have representation.
- A good agent would ask too many questions.
- The agent would check the property out online to see if the items mentioned existed.
- He or she would not agree to a deposit for a “bunch of keys.”
- The items that violated Fair Housing would have stopped the agent from continuing with the rental.
- Lastly, I check property records to make sure that I am dealing with the property owner. There is more that can and is done. But I don’t want any scammers who may be reading this to know what may trip them up.
Calculated Risk
The scammer does have to take some calculated risks if the scam is to succeed. He or she has to leave you a way to contact them. There has to be a way to exchange money for “goods”.
In one of my True Crime stories: Scams In Real Estate I told you how the scammer met with the targets, showed the property, exchanged keys for a lease and cash, and then walked away. Yes, he is known to all he scammed including the owner of the property. He has been spotted by the owner’s wife in a crowd. He has not been caught. This scammer played the odds and won.
Follow the path
Back to this case, the scammer put his email address in the ad. He listed his cell phone number which was different from the number shown in the ad.
The Email
In reading the reply email sent to me. I couldn’t help but notice that it read like the Nigerian Prince money scam.
This is a scam where a Nigerian Prince or someone else of money contacts you by email. They are asking for your help and plead their case. All you need to do is supply a little information and money to gain riches.
What happens is you are out of your money and now a victim of identity theft.
Read the email, –link to email- carefully. See how he pleads the case of a person who has been wronged. How he is the victim and only wants to deal with an “honest person”. Notice how he is willing to send you the keys to his home in another state without meeting you. All you have to do is supply some information and some money. After this, the place is yours. Sound too good? It is.
Not only would you be out of your money. Included in this loss is your identity. Remember the rental application. It contains enough information to mine your profile online. Get enough information and he steals your identity.
Once again: Caveat Emptor: Let the Buyer Beware.
This is not the end. I’m just giving you a break so you can absorb what I have laid out so far.
Return To Previous Article: Stripping: Learn about what it is and what to do if you come across it.
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and nothing stated here is legal advice. This article applies to the five boroughs of New York. All information is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Always check the real estate laws in your part of the country.
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