LOL, got hit with my first nigerian scam =)

So I was browsing for apartments/condos in the bay area and was interested in this one:
http://www.thatrentalsite.com/For-Rent/Mountain-View-CA-7133-12359.html

I emailed the owner and this was the email he replied with:

Thanks for the email. I Mr Lincoln Green own the house and also it is situated at 870 E. El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040 .Also I want you to know that it was due to my transfer that makes me and my wife to leave the house and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take a very good care of it as we are not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean all the time and the possible tenant will see the house as his or her own.

I left Mountain View, CA with my Family and we are currently in west Africa .I am here for my Job Here as Radio/Tv Broadcaster.

My asking price is $850/month.I am accepting 2months upfront of $1700.00 to get the keys to you.

I will be online through out to get back to you as soon as you are able to get back to me.I am looking forward to hear from you ASAP so that i can forward you an application to fill out.Also are you ready to rent it now or when? Await your reply. attached is the inside view of the apartment .I could let you remain in the house till I come back if you are a good tenant.You may need to call me: +234-8060988887.You can have the address and go to confirm the house.

Thanks,
Lincoln Green
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Something smelled fishy. So I sent him an email to which he replied with more info:

Thank you for your kind mail.Here is the pre-forma Application for Rental.Please fill out carefully and send back to me.My Scanning machine just got bad.I will fix it as soon as possible I should have emailed you the scanned copy of this Application form.However you have to fill this out so i can transfer it to the Original copy which will be Fedex to you with the LEASE OF AGREEMENT after you have paid the 2months upfront of $1,700.00.

Please note that after this form is filled you will pay the 2months upfront so that we can arrange the keys,the original Application form and the Lease of Agreement to be Fedex to you at your address.

For re-confirmation of your address and informations, Please complete the form below.

RENT APPLICATION FORM

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?

9)What is your religion?

Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file incase of issuing the payment receipt to you and contacting you. Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the keys of the house to you, please I am giving you all this base on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words, you know that.I will send you the payment information after this mail.

Regards.
Green
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I went and googled "west african apartment scams" and came up with this article:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/294/ripoff0294554.htm

I have been a dedicated craigslist classified (apartments available) seeker for the past 2 months or so. If you are familiar with the website, you will know that there is an option for you to email the person that posted the ad (whether its for an apartment, to sell something, dating, etc.). I have been emailing many apartment owners in hopes of finding an apartment but to no avail. One thing that raised a red flag for me is the fact that out of maybe 8 emails, three of them (yes three) responded in a similar manner. All of which the owner claims that they're out on a so called 'mission' in NIGERIA and how the money is not the object, it the cleanliness of the apartment. Please refer to the three DIFFERENT email response to my apartment inquiry:
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Looks like this happens a lot... I don't get how people fall for it though since it's so obvious.

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LOL, got hit with my first nigerian scam =)

Lpdesigner Peon

satyrion Active Member

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LOL, got hit with my first nigerian scam =)

Lpdesigner Peon

satyrion Active Member

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