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  • Exposed rental scams: fake apartment listings, room-for-rent fraud, and vacation rental cons using stolen photos of real properties. 16,974+ cases documented.
Who are you really talking to? Check their location - InfoSniper
Exposed rental scams: fake apartment listings, room-for-rent fraud, and vacation rental cons using stolen photos of real properties. 16,974+ cases documented.
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  by Lena
 
Below is a link to the ad & emails between me & the owner

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/vac/2255134053.html

The emails are below this:

> We would love to have you. This is a 2 Bedroom,2 Bathrooms apartment >> The dates (April 16th-21st ) is available, Our rate is $100 per night >> , 5 nights period for a total of 500, plus a $50 cleaning fee and >> $500 refundable security deposit for,$1050. All taxes included >> Bedroom 1 : 1 King size Bed >> Bedroom 2 : 1 queen size Bed >> Living Room : Large sectional can sleep 6-8. The large sectiona >> living room sofa can accommodate two adults or children.The address is >> 1500 0CEAN DRIVE SOUTH BEACH MIAMI FL. The CONDO is 1,700 sq ft. We >> do accept BANK WIRE TRANSFER / WESTERN UNION / MONEY GRAM as mode of >> payment. Keys will be available for pick up at the apartment on your >> arrival, check in time is 2.00 PM and check out time is 11.00 AM >> There is underground parking space for your vehicle. The building has >> its own Fitness Center,Pool 24hrs doorman and elevators.We have >> enclose an Agreement Form,Kindly complete it in order to process your >> reservation without completing it we cant process your booking and We >> have other renters interested in this apartment, Kindly let us now if >> you wish to proceed on by getting back to us.We look forward to having >> you in our home

Next email was:

Due to many enquires We > are obligated to guarantee a reservation to renters that complete our > agreement form and payment meanwhile a photo identification needed for > proper recognition,Doorman will handover the Keys to you upon > check-in. kindly complete the Agreement Form > and send it back along with photo identification via Email / Fax.Once > we have the Form completed we will proceed with your reservation NB:We will gladly return your deposit ($500) upon your departure as > long as the apartment is returned in the manner it was provided to > you, no property damages and return of keys.We do offer free air port > pick up as complimentary if you are interested. Here is the references from BAHAMAS,SEATTLE WA AND UK Mr & Mrs Garcia and friends from United Kingdom.. Stayed 4nights [email protected] Mr & Mrs Chet from Bahamas .... . Used the condo for 9nights Email: [email protected] Mr. Jeffrey Moore from Seattle WA USA. Used condo for 2 weeks. Email:[email protected] PHONE NUMBER :206-426-0381

Here is the bank account details >> >>Account Name Holder : Raymond Winebrenner >>Bank Name :Chase Bank >>Acct # 784105132 >>Routing# 044000037 >>Bank Address :601 Portage Rd >>Wooster, Ohio 4469 >> >>Once payment receive,We will confirm your reservation by sending you >>receipt via e-mail or mail along with packet of information about our >>home,which will provide you with all the access codes and nformation >>that you will want to know,if you have any special needs to check in >>early or leave late, or anything else that might make your stay >>memorable one.We look forward having you in our Home please help I don't know what to do
  by Dotti
 
It is indeed a scam.

The English tells me the author is African, not American. The phone number is another giveaway, it is an International Telcom number--a free US phone number with voicemail that allows the scammer to pretend to be in the US when he is not.
And, last but not least, tineye shows me that the photos are used in many ads, but are actually of an apartment in New York!

http://www.tineye.com/search/58357c75ae ... f3a90ff1a/
http://www.bridaltweet.com/profiles/blo ... e=activity
  by myb8by
 
did anyone confirm to see if this was indeed a scam? I am trying to book a stay in NYC and this name is the same name they want me to wire transfer the money to an account in Ohio!

Please help! I need to know before making any deposits to secure our rental place! thanks
  by AlanJones
 
Dotti has confirmed in her post above yours that it is a scam, that is as good a confirmation as you are going to get.

The comments about the English used being African and the pictures matching those of another apartment are very good indicators that it is a scam.

If they are using the same account then odds on it is the same group of scammers, so I would look for another rental place if I was you.
  by joesher
 
YES YES YES This is a 100% SCAM
DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY
HE IS NOT IN THE USA
I sent a friend to the address listed by him
It doesn't exist

Joe Sher
  by joesher
 
Winebrenner & Christy Rentals is a SCAM
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  by skin
 
Hello,
I am reading all the posts and I am afraid that I have been scammed.
I have sent a deposit for a rental in Miami. I've made some research before to be sure it was not a scam but I have to say that they are very good. So I have wire transfered the amount.
Now, my question is, do you know other victims of these scammers and if there is something we can do to stop them?
Thanks