›

Distressed property owners in need of your help! hmmm

baristabarista
edited April 2008 in Housing Bubble
I came across this ad in craigslist today http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/651037318.html

Did a bit lookup on the image and realized there are many more of these at
http://s280.photobucket.com/albums/kk180/nashkobehook/

So what's the deal here? Is it even legit?

Comments

  • AlanAlan
    I put odds on this being a bait and switch tactic. Those properties may actually exist, but I doubt the pictures are of those properties. The monthly cost they list assumes payment on the remaining loan balance. It does not include fees to get current on the mortgage. There is also no guarantee that the properties will sell for the remaining balance amount. The more people they get interest from, the more bidders they will have and the higher the price will go.

    They are also advertising in Lousiana.

    http://lafayette.craigslist.org/apa/606540395.html

    It could also be a scam to steal "deposits".
  • perfectfireperfectfire
    The ad has been removed. Can one you tell us what the deal was?
  • baristabarista
    It was esentialy what it says in one of those images

    http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk18 ... 1iajlo.jpg

    It also said that the properties are close to foreclosure and the owner is looking for people to take over the existing mortgage.

    What caught my attention was that the prices listed were so low and the images looked so good that any sane person could actually sell those houses and pay off the remaining debt. Looks like a scam to me.
  • AlanAlan
    This is actually the ad that was displayed:

    http://s280.photobucket.com/albums/kk18 ... ter124.jpg

    Again, I'm sure those deals exist, but not in Seattle and those aren't pictures of the properties. On the Lafayette ad it said that a refundable deposit was required.
  • kbro2699kbro2699
    Here is another one I have come across.

    http://redtape.msnbc.com/2008/04/fake-craigslist.html#

    My wife actually inquired on one of these a couple days before I read this article.

    Here was their response:
    Hello Dear >
    How are you, sorry i replied late it was due to my mission of work. It is a great pleasure that you are interested in my flat. Thanks for your email and it is my gladness to hear from you. I am the owner of the house you are making enquiry of, actually resided in the house with my family, such as my wife and my only daugther before we presently packed due to my transfer from my working place and now situated in (West Africa Nigeria) and presently my house is still available for rent $950 including the utilities like hydro,washerand security,it is furnised.Moreso Now, i went for a Crusade in West Africa .Pls i want you to note that,i am kind and honest man and also i spent alot on my property that i want to give you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute mentenance of this house and want you to treat it as your own,is that taken,it is not the money the main problem is for 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 do that once in a while.I also want you to let me have trust in you as i always stand on my word. SO IF YOU ARE REALY INTRESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE > RENTAPPLICATIONS FORMS BELOW RENT APPLICATION FORM Also,Pls let me get this answer. 1)Your Full Name 2)Your Full Address & Phone Number > 3)How old are you? 4)Are you married? 5)How many people will be living in the house? 6)Do you have a pet? 7)Do you have a car? 8)Occupation? Looking forward to hear 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 key to you,please we are giving you all this base on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words,you know that,we do not see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand,so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this. Thanks and you are welcome Dennis

    I guess if it sounds too good to be true ($950/month for beautiful townhouse in Capitol Hill), then it probably is.
  • AlanAlan
    Hmm.. 419 scam. I didn't see that one coming.
  • kbro2699kbro2699
    Yeah, anyone who sends money after reading their message almost deserves to get it stolen.
  • TJ_98370TJ_98370
    Does anyone know why these sort of scams always seem to originate in Nigeria?
Sign In or Register to comment.