Just happened to me as well. How do we report this on Craigslist? All I saw was a "prohibited" button.

Anyway, I say I'm interested in the Orange County property & I might like to rent it 1-2 wks this summer. He doesn't even question which weeks. His English is poor (and in written word!) & it's the same ol' Western Union crap. I immediately googled his name, Mitchell Braverman & whaddya know? He's all over the net!

My email looks eerily close to the others:
Thank you for showing interest .The property is available for the weeks chosen.I am sure this is one of the best property you can get around at this reasonable rate but i cannot guarantee to hold the property until you book for it. You are required to deposit 50% of the rental fee together with the refundable security fee of $200 to enable me hold the property for your chosen date because there is rush for the property at this time.Once you have make the deposit i will issue you a receipt confirming your payment on the reservation which you will print out and come along with it on your arrival .You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving to make arrangement to pick you up.There is no extra charges for this. I will render this service for free.We accept Western Union as form of payment. I will send you our Agreement and Booking form for reservation as soon as i have your reply to know you are interested in booking the property.



14 NIGHTS = $2,100

50% DEPOSIT = $1,050

REFUNDABLE SECURITY FEE = $200


TOTAL AMOUNT TO DEPOSIT = $1,250

Thanks

I got a similar message for a rental in Vail from Mitchen Braverman - I knew something was off when it's so suspiciously cheap and they only access MoneyGram. And there's no mention of a contract!


Mitchell Braverman bestcomforthome@aol.com

Thank you for showing interest in the property .The property  is available for the dates chosen.I am sure this is one of the best property you can get around at this reasonable rate but i cannot guarantee to hold the property until you book for it. Check the quote below for the nights you intend to stay.

3 NIGHTS   =   $450

%50 DEPOSIT  =   $225

SECURITY/DAMAGES FEE =   $200

TOTAL AMONUT TO DEPOSIT = $425

All you have to do to reserve the property is to deposit  50% of the rental fee together with the refundable security fee of  $200 which will be given back to you on the day you are departing from the property,once you have made the deposit i will issue you a receipt confirming your deposit and reservation.You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving to make arrangement to pick you up no extra charges for this. I will render this service for free.We accept Money Gram as method of payment.I will send you our Agreement and Booking Form for reservation as soon i have your reply to know you are interested in booking the property.

Regards

Mitchell

I have actually lost money. $370 plus moneygram fee for a "condo in Breckenridge" went to "Mitchell Braverman" in NY. If anybody already filed an FBI case or something else to get this guy - let me know please. I did file a complaint on moneygram's website but it's unlikely will lead to any results. The whole schema of getting money from "any location by presenting your ID" is very prone to fraud. Anybody with fake Id can claim that money and there is no trace of that individual left anywhere. The actual person whose  name was used to get that money knows nothing about this.

I will explore FBI options and post updates here.
Alex: wbmich@comcast.net

thnaks for this useful information. I ALMOST sent  my money in, but decided to research it further, and interestingly I found this same guy, trying to rent a condo in Breckenridge, same story......  Thank GOD i read this first.

Same deal for an offer on Craigslist for a cheap room in Breckenridge, CO. Had different names, gave me the information below and email addresses changed from an aol.com one to vacation.rental010@zoho.com

"I am native america. name Alexandra and David. My last name is Lincoln.

2 nights : $300
50% deposit :$150
refundable security fee :$200
total : $650.

Alex

Attached is the paperwork. You are to send the deposit Money in minutes transaction to the owner so we can confirm the deposit asap and get back to you with the property receipt you will come along with on the day of your arrival. Below is the owner's name and address to send the Money gram ($350).

Name: Mitchell Braverman
Address: 31 59th Street
Brooklyn NY 11234

Get back to me immediately with the money gram reference # and the information given to you while deposit is transferred. Please remember to print and come along with the property receipt that i will attach and forward to you after confirmation of payment. Let me know when you will be through with this.

Thanks


From: David lincoln <day.lincoln@aol.com>
Date: February 6, 2012 4:42:02 PM MST
To:
Subject: Re: $150 / 2br - Elegant Home in Downtown Breckenridge-Walk to Lifts,Village, Restauran (S Main Street)
Thank you for showing interest in the property. The property is available for the dates chosen but i cannot guarantee the hold of the property until you book for it. You are required to pay50% of the total rental fee and a refundable security fee of $200  to enable me hold the property for you, as there is rush for the property at this time. The owner accept payment through secure way money gram. Get back to me if you want to book with us so i can send you the require paperwork along with the payment info.

2  NIGHTS  =   $300
%50 DEPOSIT  = $150
SECURITY FEE = $200

His First email to me...

Thank you for showing interest in the property. The property is available for the dates chosen but i cannot guarantee the hold of the property until you book for it. You are required to pay50% of the total rental fee and a refundable security fee of $200 to enable me hold the property for you, as there is rush for the property at this time. The owner accept payment through secure way money gram. Get back to me if you want to book with us so i can send you the require paperwork along with the payment info.

5 NIGHTS = $1000
%50 DEPOSIT = $500
SECURITY FEE = $200


Thanks
John.

Here is another address he is using...


Attached is the paperwork. You are to send the deposit Money in minutes transaction to the owner so we can confirm the deposit asap and get back to you with the property receipt you will come along with on the day of your arrival. Below is the owner's name and address to send the Money gram ($700).


Name: Mitchell Braverman
Address: 2162 59th Street
Brooklyn NY 11234


Get back to me immediately with the money gram reference # and the information given to you while deposit is transferred. Please remember to print and come along with the property receipt that i will attach and forward to you after confirmation of payment. Let me know when you will be through with this.


John

sorry, forgot to mention the property is in Laguna Beach and on orangecounty craigslist.  I have sent an email to craigslist reporting it - not sure if they can do anything about it.  Does anybody know what federal authority we can report this to - it is a Nationwide issue?

This person is still out there and now sending emails under the name of Patrick Jean with vacationhomeforrent@yahoo.com, getting smarter with responses trying to rent a 3 bedroom beach property for $200 per night and with a money back guarantee - so please beware - definitely a scam.  Wants you to send the money via Western Union to:
Name : Mitchell Braverman
Address :  119 east 32nd street,
Brooklyn New York 11234,

this guy renting a place in PA and took my money

Hi there!

Same SPAM - http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/vac/2417916558.html

Beware! Beware! Beware!
=================

From: Tara Zola <tarazola@rocketmail.com>


Thank you for showing interest .The property is still available for the date chosen.This is one of the best property you can get around at this reasonable rate,I cannot guarantee the hold of the property until you book for it, as you are required to pay a 50% of the total rental fee plus the refundable security fee which is $200.Which will be given back to you on the day you are departing from the property,once you have made the payment i will issue you a receipt confirming your payment.You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving so we can make arrangement to pick you up. I will render this service for free.We accept only Western Union  as form of payment.I am an agent.I will send you our agreement and booking form as soon i have your reply to know you are interested in booking the property.This is $200 per night.Check the quote below for the night you intend to stay.

 2 NIGHTS = $400
%50 DEPOSIT = $200
SECURITY/DAMAGES FEE = $200

Get back to me if you are interested in booking this.
Regards

Tara.
===============
Thanks for the reply,Yes all 3bedrooms are available for sleeping.Attached is the agreement and payment form, I want  you to complete this form and return it back soonest. Also to have the apartment reserved for you.You need to have the %50 deposit plus the refundable security fee which is $200 the total amount you are going to send is ($400)  you will transfer it to the owner of the apartment via western union money transfer on your arrival you will pay the remaining %50 payment while i will then hand over the keys to you. Here is the  owner's name and address to send the deposit.


Name .Mary Reopelle
Address:1225 W Broadway
City. Missoula  
State. Montana  
Zip-code.59802

Get back to me  immediately with the western union control # and the information given to you while deposit is transfer.Please remember to print and come along with the apartment receipt that i will attach and forward to you after confirmation of deposit.Let me know asap when you will be through with this.
Regard


Tara.
====================

Postings in Miami BEWARE!

purplegreen101@juno.com

Thank you for showing interest. The property is still available. I am sure that this is one of the best property you can get around at this reasonable rate but i cannot guarantee the hold of the property until you book for it. You are required to pay50% of the total rental fee and a refundable security fee of $200 to enable me hold the property for you as there is rush for the property at this time. I will issue you a receipt confirming your payment. You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving in to make arrangement to pick you up. There is no extra charges for this also. I will render this service for free. The owner only accept western union as form of payment.I am an agent. I will send you our booking and payment form as soon as i have your reply to know you are interested in the property.

7  NIGHTS    =   $750
%50 DEPOSIT  =   $375
SECURITY FEE =   $200

Thanks

Glenette

Hey I just responded to this ad that all of you are talking about.
"Glennette's immediate request for a deposit sounded a bit fishy so thanks for the heads up.  I've requested more info from her so will see where this goes.
Unfortunately, I have given out my phone # to her.
time will tell

Thank you all for posting this.  I just about got taken myself, what a great resource this community is.  Here's the latest scam from this person who posted a craigslist ad:  $150 / 3br - Large 3 Bedroom / 3 Bath with Stunning Ocean Views from Every Room (Kaanapali Beach).  Tip was that these units are going for $600+/night.  He/She asked for western union right away to an address to confirm with the owners.

On Apr 12, 2011, at 4:44 PM, purpleblue10001@juno.com wrote:

Thank you for showing interest. The property is still available for the date chosen 6/30-7/7. I am sure that this is one of the best property you can get around at this reasonable rate but i cannot guarantee the hold of the property until you book for it. You are required to pay50% of the total rental fee and a refundable security fee of $200 to enable me hold the property for you as there is rush for the property at this time. I will issue you a receipt confirming your payment. You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving in to make arrangement to pick you up. There is no extra charges for this also. I will render this service for free. The owner only accept western union as form of payment.I am an agent. I will send you our booking and payment form as soon as i have your reply to know you are interested in the property.

Property Address: 130 Kai Malina Parkway Lahaina, HI 96761

7  NIGHTS    =        $1050
%50 DEPOSIT  =    $525
SECURITY FEE =   $200
TOTAL DEPOSIT =  $725

Thanks

Glennette

Just found the same type of posting for a vacation rental in Vail, Colorado.  Name is now Donald Marvelous and his email is now m.vacationrentals@yahoo.com.

I got the reply that I pasted below in quotation marks when I responded to an ad on Craigslist for a nice, summer vacation rental in Vail, Colorado. I thought the grammar and typos were odd for someone who owns and/or manages a high end property in Vail, Colorado.  And the price seemed too low. Also the request for payment via Western Union caused me to be suspicious so I started googling his email address and found this chain.

"Thank you for showing interest in the property .The property is available for the week chosen .I am sure that this is one of the best property you can get around at this reasonable rate but i cannot guarantee to hold the condo until you book for it. You are required to pay50% deposit of the total rental fee together with the refundable security fee of $200 for me to reserve the property down for you .The Unit is $200 per night .Check the quote below for the night you intend to stay.

3 NIGHTS = $600
%50 DEPOSIT = $300
SECURITY/DAMAGES FEE = $200

All you have to do to reserve the property is to pay a 50% of the total rental fee together with the refundable security fee which is $200 which will be given back to you on the day your departing from the property,once you have made the payment i will issue you a receipt confirming your payment and reservation.You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving to make arrangement to pick you up. There is no extra charges for this. I will render this service for free.We accept western union as method of payment.I am an agent.I will send you our agreement and booking form for reservation as soon i have your reply to know you are interested in booking the condo.

Regards

Donald"

Hawaii's craigslist also has the same type of western union request and pattern. I inquired on a few Maui locations and got replies from:
1. Vikky Lawson - lawsonhomerentals@yahoo.com, 386-256-0765
   The email states "Here is my office number 386-256-0765 but is connected to the internet and when  the internet is on the number will not be reachable. Just get back to me here if you want to book."

2. frankapt211@netzero.net

3. Glennette - purpleblue10001@juno

Something seemed fishy when all three inquires had the same western union request. I called one of the properties, and was advised this was a scam.

I saw his ad for rental property in Nw Orleans for Mardi Gras. Red flags for me went up as soon as I saw the price and that the "owner" would only accept Western Union payments.

Kept asking him for pictures of the outside of the property so I could look it up on Google Earth, and all he kept saying was "did you send the booking form?" over and over again.

The email response they give you is exactly the same every time. The only difference is they went by the name "Glennette" and said that he's in florida acting as the agent for the owner who lives in Kentucky, renting a property in New Orleans.

No company name, they don't give you one or an address for the agent. Looked up the house address they give for the property on Google Maps and it's a vacant lot. SCAM!

Had the same thing happened to me.. the phone number is exactly the same, the emails he used were:

vacation.rental1@zoho.com and vacation.rental2@zoho.com

If there are any leads on how to pursue him, please post it. I would love to follow up on this and have the guy arrested.

Thanks.

This one Joseph Levis <josephlevis1978@yahoo.com
Re: $400 / 8br - New 8 Bedroom near NYC. Easy commute from New Jersey to all of New Yor (Teaneck, NJ)

Thanks for your reply.You are expected to fill the contract and send it back to us as soon as possible,for us to hold the property for you, you will need to pay 50% of the rental fee and $200 refundable security fee which will be refunded back to you on the day of your departure date, on your arrival you will pay the remaining balance while I will then hand over the keys to the apartment to you. the total amount you will be sending for me to pencil you for the choosing date is ( $600).Here is the owner information to send the payment to :

Name:Tom Nelson.
Address: 123High St North,East Ham, London,E6 1HZ    ENGLAND

Get back to me  immediately with the western union control # and the information given to you while deposit is transfered so i can prepare and forward your receipt to you. Please remember to print and come along with the property receipt that i will attach and forward to you after confirmation of deposit.
Joe

I about got taken!!   He used the name John Peterson, renting a vacation home in Newport Beach.  My emails are identical to the ones others have posted.  I got suspicious and started digging, asking for a phone # to talk to him.  Always an excuse as to why he didn't/couldn't answer his phone.  My husband left a message and this guy actually called him back. He hung up on my husband when he started asking to many questions.  SCAM  SCAM  SCAM.  watch out!   here is my email:  

Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:01:00 -0700
From: johnrentals40@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: beach house for rent


9  NIGHTS    =   $900
%50 DEPOSIT  =   $450
SECURITY FEE =   $200

Thank you for showing interest .The property is available for the dates chosen.I am sure that this is one of the best property you can get around at this reasonable rate but i cannot guarantee the hold of the property until you book for it. You are required to pay50% of the total rental fee and a refundable security fee of $200  to enable me hold the property for you,as there is rush for the property at this time.i will issue you a receipt confirming your payment.You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving in to make arrangement to pick you up. There is no extra charges for this also. I will render this service for free.The owner only accept western union as form of payment.I am an agent.I will send you our booking and payment form as soon as i have your reply to know you are interested in the property.


Thanks
John.


He sent the form with this email:

From: johnrentals40@yahoo.com
Subject: Agreement & Booking Form

I want you to complete and return it back soonest. Also to have the property reserved for you.You need to have the %50 deposit plus the refundable security fee which is $200 the total amount you are going to send is ($650) you will transfer it to the owner of the property via western union money transfer on your arrival you will pay the remaining %50 payment while i will then hand over the keys to you. Here is the owner's name and address to send the deposit.

Name: Linda Delacruz
659 S Yale
Kansas,Wichita 67218

Get back to me immediately with the western union control # and the information given to you while deposit is transferred.Please remember to print and come along with the property receipt that i will attach and forward to you after confirmation of deposit.Let me know when you will be through with this.

John.

He advertised on Craiglsist for Dewey rental
SCAM artist so thanks for the heads up
How can we report this guy>

He is on NC/Myrtle Beach Craigslist now-

This is his email:
3  NIGHTS    =   $300
%50 DEPOSIT  =   $150
SECURITY FEE =   $200

Thank you for showing interest .The property is available for the dates chosen.I am sure that this is one of the best property you can get around at this reasonable rate but i cannot guarantee the hold of the property until you book for it. You are required to pay50% of the total rental fee and a refundable security fee of $200  to enable me hold the property for you,as there is rush for the property at this time.i will issue you a receipt confirming your payment.You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving in to make arrangement to pick you up. There is no extra charges for this also. I will render this service for free.The owner only accept western union as form of payment.I am an agent.I will send you our booking and payment form as soon as i have your reply to know you are interested in the property.

http://myrtlebeach.craigslist.org/vac/1883987330.html


Thanks
Mark.

Same scam. He is in craig's list NYC now.

His listing is "$100 / 2br - Spacious and sunny apartment (TriBeCa)"

I contacted and he wrote me back from account "mikedomer@gmail.com"

On Aug 8, 2010, at 11:57 PM, Mark Domer wrote:

> 21  NIGHTS    =   $1800
> %50 DEPOSIT  =   $900
> SECURITY FEE =   $200
>
> Thank you for showing interest .The property is available for the dates chosen.I am sure that this is one of the best property you can get around at this reasonable rate but i cannot guarantee the hold of the property until you book for it. You are required to pay50% of the total rental fee and a refundable security fee of $200  to enable me hold the property for you,as there is rush for the property at this time.i will issue you a receipt confirming your payment.You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving in to make arrangement to pick you up. There is no extra charges for this also. I will render this service for free.The owner only accept western union as form of payment.I am an agent.I will send you our booking and payment form as soon as i have your reply to know you are interested in the property.
>
>
> Thanks
> Mark.

Scam!!!!

The same happened with me in two of my requests for Charleston. The email goes like:
3 NIGHTS = $300
%50 DEPOSIT = $150
SECURITY FEE = $200

Thank you for showing interest .The property is available for the dates chosen.I am sure that this is one of the best property you can get around at this reasonable rate but i cannot guarantee the hold of the property until you book for it. You are required to pay50% of the total rental fee and a refundable security fee of $200 to enable me hold the property for you,as there is rush for the property at this time.i will issue you a receipt confirming your payment.You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving in to make arrangement to pick you up. There is no extra charges for this also. I will render this service for free.The owner only accept western union as form of payment.I am an agent.I will send you our booking and payment form as soon as i have your reply to know you are interested in the property.


Thanks
Mark.

The other guys name was Nelson but the email content was SAMe (which got me wondering). Thankfully I googled.

I found a very similar scam while searching for a place in Ocean City. The email I got was almost identical to the ones above, his name is Lee Carlos:(Email Below)

Thank you for your patronage. The condo is available for the dates
chosen.I am sure that this is one of the best condo you can get around at
this reasonable rate. But I cannot guarantee the hold of the condo until you
book for it.

 You are required to pay 50% of the total rental fee and a Refundable
security fee of $300  to enable me hold the condo for you,as there is rush
for the condo at this time.The condo is $150  per night. Check the below
quotes for the cost of nights you intent to stay in the condo.

2   NIGHT    =   $300

%50 DEPOSIT  =   $150

SECURITY FEE =   $300


All you have to do to hold the condo is to pay a 50% of the total
rental fee, plus the Refundable Security Fee which is $300.  which will be given
back to you on the day you departing from the condo, Once you have made the
payment I will issue you a receipt confirming your payments.

There are also door men and cleaners who would come at intervals under
your request to clean and attend to your needs.This does not attract any extra
charges. You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving to
make arrangement to pick you up. There is no extra charges for this also. I will
render this service for free.

I will send you our booking form and agreement as soon I have you reply to know you are interested in the condo. Let me know if you are ready to book the condo so i can send you the agreement and booking form. Thanks

Got the same message on a rental in North Coast Village in Oceanside. Format the same as yours. Davidrents54@gmail has the same m.o., too. Glad they are as stupid as they sound.  It doesn't take much to figure them out.
Lori

My wife and I have exchanged a number of emails with this guy in response to an ad on Craig's List (http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/vac/1808372456.html) for a rental house in Santa Barbara.  I even received a template contract and signed/returned it... I just didn't feel right about following through on his instructions to pay by Western Union...  I asked for alternative payment options, and he went silent... so I googled his email and found this thread.  Unreal.  I was very nearly taken.  He actually gave an address for an apartment in Santa Barbara, gave the same owner's name as mentioned above (Betty Lamb), had the same requirements, etc.  Below follows some of our email exchanges... just very glad I didn't actually send money.  TAKE CARE + BEWARE!

------ Forwarded Message
From: marvelous mark <m.vacationrentals@live.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 18:04:21 +0000
To: <*****>
Subject: RE: $150 / 3br - Comfortable And Nice, Santa Barbara Family Home (SANTA BARBARA)

Thanks for getting back to me.Yes is available the dates chosen.Here is the address 731 Bath St, Santa Barbara, CA.Yes towel,sheet,dishes and flatware is provided.We have a problem with our pay pal account so we accept western union as method of payment.I will be the one to handover the keys to you on the day of your arrival.The refundable security fee will be given to you on the day you departing from the apartment if there is no damages.I will send the agreement form shortly.
.
________________________________________
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:47:34 -0700
Subject: Re: $150 / 3br - Comfortable And Nice, Santa Barbara Family Home (SANTA BARBARA)
From: *****
To: m.vacationrentals@live.com; *****

Re: $150 / 3br - Comfortable And Nice, Santa Barbara Family Home (SANTA BARBARA) Hello -

Sorry for not responding sooner ? I was waiting to discuss with my husband, and he had a late night at work.  We are interested in reserving for both Saturday and Sunday nights (July 3 and 4).  Assuming the house is still available, please forward the agreement at your convenience ? and I would appreciate if you could copy my husband (copied here).  

Also, could you please fill in a few details:
?    What is the address of the house?
?    Will towels/sheets/dishes/flatware be provided?  
?    How should we process payment (for both the deposit and the nightly rate)?  Can we pay by PayPal?
?    How would we coordinate picking up the keys?
?    Regarding the security deposit ? what is your policy for refunding it?  

Thanks in advance for your response, and very much looking forward to enjoying Santa Barbara this weekend.

Sincerely,
****

On 6/30/10 9:06 AM, "marvelous mark" <m.vacationrentals@live.com> wrote:
Thanks for getting back to me.Yes you can rent it for two nights.Get back to me if you want to reserve this so i can send you our agreement and booking form for reservation.

Thanks
________________________________________
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:56:55 -0700
Subject: Re: $150 / 3br - Comfortable And Nice, Santa Barbara Family Home (SANTA BARBARA)
From: *****
To: m.vacationrentals@live.com

Re: $150 / 3br - Comfortable And Nice, Santa Barbara Family Home (SANTA BARBARA) Thank you for your information,

I was wondering if can you rent it just for two nights?

Thank you,


On 6/29/10 6:08 PM, "marvelous mark" <m.vacationrentals@live.com> wrote:
Thank you for showing interest .The apartment is available for the date chosen.I am sure that this is one of the best apartment you can get around at this reasonable rate but i cannot guarantee to hold the apartment until you book for it. You are required to pay50% deposit of the total rental fee and a refundable security fee of $200  to enable me hold the apartment for you,as there is rush for the apartment at this time.This is $150 per night .Check the quote below for the night you intend to stay.

3  NIGHTS   =   $450
%50 DEPOSIT  =   $225
SECURITY/DAMAGES FEE =   $200

All you have to do to hold the apartment is to pay a 50% of the total rental fee plus the refundable security fee which is $200. which will be given back to you on the day your departing from the apartment,once you have made the payment i will issue you a receipt confirming your payment.You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving to make arrangement to pick you up. There is no extra charges for this. I will render this service for free.We accept western union  as method of payment.I am an agent.I will send you our agreement and booking form as soon i have your reply to know you are interested in the apartment.

Regards
Marvelous

> Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:04:23 -0700
> Subject: $150 / 3br - Comfortable And Nice, Santa Barbara Family Home (SANTA BARBARA)
> From: ******
> To: hous-qqef2-1808372456@craigslist.org
>
>
>
>
> http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/vac/1808372456.html
>
>
>
> Hello,
>
> Do you still have this house available for 4th of july weekend? What is your
> rate?
>
> thanks

Hi there guys!
Same phone number, but whoever this is is operating by different name now, under Tara Zola, vacation property near Daytona Beach. Total scammer, don't foolish yourself. Get real. Here's the first reply I got from this person:

$100 / 2br - Amazing Cottage in Daytona Beach - Totally Private Pool - Minutes from (Daytona Beach)
Thank you for showing interest .The apartment is available for the date chosen.I am sure that this is one of the best apartment you can get around at this reasonable rate but i cannot guarantee the hold of the apartment until you book for it. You are required to pay50% deposit of the total rental fee and a refundable security fee of $200  to  enable me hold the apartment for you,as there is rush for the apartment at this time.This is $100 per night .Check the quote below for the night you want to stay.

7 NIGHTS = $700
%50 DEPOSIT = $350
SECURITY/DAMAGES FEE = $200

All you have to do to hold the apartment is to pay a 50% of the total rental fee plus the refundable security fee which is $200.  which will be given back to you on the day your departing from the apartment,once you have made the payment i will issue you a receipt confirming your payment.You get to notify me of the exact time you will be arriving in to make arrangement to pick you up. There is no extra charges for this. I will render this service for free.We accept only western union  as form of payment.I am an agent.I will send you our agreement and booking form as soon i have your reply to know you are interested in the apartment.
Regards

Tara

When asked to whom the money should be sent, got the name BETTY LAMB. The contract or so called agreement does not specify any specific information about rental property,  like adress or anything. Beware. Beware. Beware

And another this morning regarding a rental on Craig's List in Venice Beach, CA:  Mark Domer <domerrents@yahoo.com>

I am sure this is one of the best unit you can get around at this reasonable rate but i cannot guarantee the hold of the unit until you book for it. You are required to pay50% of the total rental fee and a refundable security fee of $200 to enable me hold the unit for you.The owner only accept western union as form of payment.I am an agent.I will send you our booking and payment form as soon as i have your reply to know you are interested in the unit.Check the below quotes for the cost of nights you intent to stay in the unit.

7  NIGHTS    =   $700
%50 DEPOSIT  =   $350
SECURITY = $200

Oh yes, this guy is a piece of work!  The FBI needs to get on him quick...look at where he operates:

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=%22m.vacationrentals%40live.com%22&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=e73b16faf0160c30


If the link doesn't work, google search his email add in quotes:

"m.vacationrentals@live.com"

Has anyone been had...and actually lost money?

MAX