Albany NY listing on Craigslist

[Michelle]

This is the email i received

"Yh Ok <[email protected]>
12:26 PM (1 hour ago)

I must confess that I am very very new in this landlord business..However, My name is Adam B Catalano,I own the house located at (318 Osborne Rd, Albany NY 12211).Due to my job as a missionary I spent less time in the States so I could not get a hold on any Realtor to handle this rent issue, although it was when I knew how long we are going to stay in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia that I decided to rent out the house and i will be here for (4-5 years).. How ever,the initial plan was to sale out the house.which I tried, but some times the agents inflates the prize and it takes longer to sell i am telling you this in case if you find the house on another website,that is the old advert. because of this reason and more we need a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money , but want it to be clean and for you to take of it as if it were yours The rent is $500 and $500 for Security Deposit For this 3BR/2Bath/1800 sqft. Air Conditioner Dishwasher Walk-in Closet Refrigerator Vaulted Ceilings Washer/Dryer Cable etc...Below is my phone numbers
440-579-2504

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Full Name__________________________
Home Phone ( )________________________
Cell Phone ( ) ___________________
Date of Birth_________________________
Current Address_______________________
City____________State______ Zip______
Reasons for Leaving____________________________Rent $________
Are you married_______________________
How many people will be living in the house___________
Do you smoke____________
Do you have a pet___________________________
Do you have a car___________________________
Occupation____________________ ________
Move In Date__________________________ __
How soon can you make the payment_____________
How soon do you want to receive the keys and the document______
Application Comment
============================== =======Please make sure this questions are fill correctly because the best way you answer with your comment will impress me the more to accept your applications.I know you would want to see the house before making any kind of rental payment , which is understandable.We can make arrangement for the keys and documentation including an Authorization letter to be shipped to you,this will give you the opportunity to view house.
Regards
Adam B Catalano
440-579-2504"

I googled the Contact name and everything seemed legit but it is when I googled the phone number that I came across this website and seen the same exact email sent to others with different names and addresses.

[Michelle]

Welcome to Scamwarners.com MiraclesMaMa

The Scammer will have wanted you to send him money to have keys and documents to be couriered from abroad, or to send money to a family friend to show that you are financially sound and not a time waster. He would have asked you send money by wire transfer (normally Western Union or Moneygram).

These transfers can be picked up virtually anywhere in the world and with the minimum of identification. They are almost impossible to trace once the money has been collected.

You may find this BBC news report and video of interest.... it shows how a similar Room for Rent scam works..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/art ... ture.shtml

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOGAxUqHxsE

For an overview of Rental Scams please follow this link:-

http://scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=12278