The same thing just happened to my fiance and I. I saved all the emails and text messages. We sent them money and everything.I want someone to find these scam artists.

I'm communication with this person do you have a private email or phone number I can contact you?

I replyed  a add on craigslist about a house rental in lewiston Maine . They said they wad doing unicef work in Florida . They finally call using a connecticut number .475-235-0654  . The guy was African by the accent i asked to speak to the woman that emailed me he got aggitated . This is a spam and they wadsreported to the police

Here is what Tonya E Jackson sent me in an email:

From: Tonya E Jackson [mailto:jacksontonyae@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 6:31 AM
Subject: YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AND APPROVED BY THE FAMILY

Thanks you very much for your reply, i am so sorry for the late response my daughter was admitted in an Hospital and i can see your willingness in this House. I want you to know that I'm satisfied with your profile and also believe l can trust in you because l will not like to experience what l experienced from my last tenant again, l showed your profile to my wife and daughter , they said they are OK with it

l want you to know that we can let you stay in my House till the period of time you wish to.I want you to know that the rent fee is among the House utilities all included, so you can use them anytime but make sure you take proper care of my properties.We will come and pay you a visit after you have moved into my House to see how  you are maintaining it,I will be receiving the security deposit and first month rent sent to my western union from you because l think it reliable,secured and fast, and moreover, my Christian team and I, got into Florida just few weeks back a.l wish you best of luck in your work, from your  profile l can see that you are responsible and a hard working person may the almighty God lead you in what ever you wish to do.

Please once again, i want to trust you and i hope you do not disappoint us and i promise you that, you will love the house and not only, a good relationship between us.  The following documents are here with us as i could find anyone whom i could trust to drop them with for this purpose. But never-mind, FedEx next day delivery service will handle that perfectly for us.In doing this, you will need to make a first month and security deposit and the rent payment which the deposit is refundable (should in case you don't like the house) to enable the shipment of the Keys  and document to your current address that i have here in the rental form, after which you could move in at your convenience.The rent starts counting when you move in and after moving in, you will be required to make the first month rental fees at your convenience Here are the contents of the document that needs to be sent.

1) Entrance and the rooms Keys
2) Paper/Permanent house form
3) The house documentary file.
4) Full Description of the house and Address
5) Payment Receipt
6) Signed Lease Agreement Form you are supposed to also sign and get it sent back to me

NOTE: THAT THE SECURITY DEPOSIT IS REFUNDABLE IN CASE YOU DON?T LIKE THE HOUSE..


As soon as the security deposit and first month rent sent to my Money Gram is been confirmed by me, l will go ahead and commence on how the House Keys / Documents will be delivered to you and i will ensure that i book for the 24 hours FedEx next day delivery service as to enable you receive it on time and as scheduled. Let me hear back from you as soon as possible so that i can arrange for the delivery.
Get back to me via email,call or Email me so as to instruct you on how to make the refundable payment  to me by

I await your reply ASAP.Regard and God bless you!!!

Lahoma,

Would you be willing to do an interview with me about this? I was recently looking for a house to rent as well and once I found out it was a scam I decided to cover it as a news story giving our viewers ways to avoid being scammed.  If you wouldn't mind talking to me about your experience email me jparker@wach.com

Thanks!

Hi, I'm an anchor/reporter here in Columbia.  I was recently house hunting as well and ran across this scam.  Do you live locally? I'd like to interview for a story I'm working on.  I'm basically letting our viewers know how to avoid online rental scams like this and personal stories always hit home.  Thanks!

Ok this happened to me here in Atascadero CA and I am really wanting to see this Slime Ball brought to Justice for Fraud.

How do they think that someone with the name Kelly Jacobs whose text in an email, sentence structure and composition, etc., that sounds like a person from a Third World Country is Believable?

Florida Cyber Crime Officials need to get involved and find this individual and Prosecute them for the Fraud that this is.  I have an envelope containing all the printed emails that I will be dropping off with the local Sheriff's Office later today.

Same thing here in Atascadero

It's a reportable crime to the Sheriff

This number is being used for house for rent in 2193 W Fir Ave in Merced Ca..Asking to send money for deposit...

I replied to an ad for a house in Columbia south Carolina. It was a single family home for $400. I just received a text from rev. judith fellows asking when I would give them my money and they would ship my keys. Something didn't seem right so I googled the phone number and found this information. Im  glad I followed my gut instinct.

This number contacted me about renting a house in Columbia SC...I knew it was too good to be true..

I almost felt for it . Nice house in South Carolina  own by Rev. Terry D Watts . Want $700 deposit and was going to send me the keys .  Did my research and found this . How can these people get capture and put out of the streets ???

Too good to be true. I replied to a post on craigslist Molly Miller responded with same email word per word as the one above but house is located in fallbrook, ca.

Same situation for me for a house for rent in Ohio asking for $700 deposit before sending the keys. He was going by the name reverend Tonya E Jackson I'm glad I did not fall for this and did my research! Has he ever done anything to anyone though considering he has my name and number now? I don't want to keep being bothered by this person or have to worry about me and my family's safety

Any comments or suggestions?

Looks like I almost fell for this, too. Knew it sounded too good to be true!

Hello Dear,

  Thanks for your email response. My house is still available for rent and the rent include utilities Electricity,heat,laundry facilities, Air condition, Internet and phone line. And I also want you to know that it was due to my  work transfer that made me and my wife to leave the house with an intention of giving it out for rent.We are looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money for the rent but want the property to be kept clean all the time as it is our hard-earned property. If you are honestly interested and will absolutely maintain my property (Taking care of it like yours) as i hope i can put my trust and confidence in you.. Long and short lease available.

Presently, We are here in Orlando Florida doing the UNICEF program(The United Nations Children Fund) for through our direct service to mankind, the blessings and promises of God will manifest today. The house vital informative documents and the entrance keys to my house is with us, we try to look for dependable agent to handle the rent but could not find one due to the limited time we had before leaving the state. Mostly we do not want our property to be given to any sort of person to avoid damages and troubles. I and my wife came over to Orlando for a missionary work, So we hope you will be a good tenant which we've been praying to get.

Rent: $720 monthly include with utilities.
House Address:  10416 Mullhacen Place Nw, Albuquerque, NM 87114

SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED, FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW RENTAL APPLICATION DETAILS

FIRST NAME: __________________
MIDDLE NAME: __________________
LAST NAME: __________________
PROFESSION: ________________
PHONE (____) __________ (WORK)
PHONE (____) __________ (CELL)
MARITAL STATUS: _________
KIDS _____ (YES/NO), HOW MANY ________
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE LIVING______
PRESENT ADDRESS: ________________________
CITY: _______________
STATE: ______________
ZIP CODE: ____________
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING? ____________
YOUR CURRENT RENT: _______________
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN? __________
REFERENCE DETAILS___________
PICTURES OF OCCUPANT SHOULD BE ATTACH

*PETS*
IF YOU HAVE A PET,
NAME OF PET: ______________
KIND OF PETS: _____________
WEIGHT: ___________________

HABITS
DO YOU SMOKE? ______________
DO YOU DRINK? ______________
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT? ____
I ____________________CERTIFY that answers given herein are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I authorize investigation of all statements contained in this application for tenant screening as may be necessary in arriving at a tenant decision. I understand that the landlord may terminate any rental agreement entered into for any misrepresentation made above.

Landing 22'1 "x 5'10" (6 .. 73m x 1.78m)
Kitchen 13'0 "x 11'0" (3.96M x 3.35 m)
Bedrooms 12'10 "x 10'5" (91M x 3.18M)
Bathroom 6'10 "x 5'10" (2.08m x 1.78m)
WC 5'0 "x 2'10" (1,52 m x 0,86 m).

Kindly get back to me as soon as possible.
Thanks And God Bless.

here's the email i received.

Hello,

Thanks for your email, I personally own the house, we want our property to be well taken good care, and there are some Precaution in which i do give out to tenant willing to rent my house which brings about safety of a home, so please don't be offended. But if you are still capable of renting my house the precaution goes this way..
           You must keep my house clean including the surrounding, you must know the way in which you use the stove so as to avoid fire outbreak,you must not disturb the neighbor. We decided to rent out the property due to our transfer to (orlando  Florida).  My Family and I just traveled to orlando  Florida for a program Empowering Youth to Fight Racism, HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Lack of Education with Dove Christian Fellowship International on a Missionary Work, so we are renting it out since we need someone to take good care of the property on my absence and the house will be available for a period of 5 years. The program is taking place in four major countries which are Uganda, Japan, Haiti and Usa. Have this in mind you must know the kind of person that i am. Nevertheless i am giving you this Precautions because of what corresponded between me and my last tenant. The keys and documents are with us here in orlando  Florida ... so i will need to ship
them to you before you can occupy the house but you can drive by the house anytime to take a look.
         I want you to understand that I spent a lot on my property that you have requested to rent, so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and would want you to treat it as your own because cleanliness they say is next to Godliness. It is not all about the money to be paid on rent or spent; it is all about a good maintenance culture which I want you to adopt on the property. I want you to keep it tidy all the time so that I would be full of smiles whenever I come and above all, a good, strong and tight relationship between us when I come for a check up. Please one more thing, I wouldn?t like to have any benefit of trust in you because I want to stand in your words that the property would be well taken care of all the time.I believe you have see how lovely it is if from only the pictures you saw in my posting compare to the 100% comfort to be derived from it as you are an occupant.
         We will be away for a while that is why we made up our mind to put up our house for rent to whom ever that will take good care of it. Please i want you to note that i spent a lot on my property that i want to give to you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and want you to treat it as your own. Utilities include Water,Trash,Sewer,Gas and Electricity etc and all utilities are included for six (6) months of move in. The money is not the main problem but i want 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 also want you to let me have trust in you as I always stand on my word. The Bedroom house is equipped with everything you can need for your stay: fully equipped kitchen, Refrigerator, Microwave, Gas Range,Dishwasher,Garbage Disposal,Hood Over Range,Granite Counter,Available,washing machine..... Bedrooms, bath.. And large living room with appliances including
in-suite washer and dryer,electric heating,Wall Furnaces.

Address: 3020 Bluffhollow Gap Antioch, TN 37013


Pets are Welcome!!!
Rent: $700
Security Deposit: $700
Living Building Square Footage: 1952
Number Of Bedrooms:        3
Number Of Bathrooms:      2.5

SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW:

RENT APPLICATION FORM.
Name (First name/ Middle name/Surname ) : __________?
Phone numbers (home,cell and office line ) # :__________?
E-mail :__________?
Best time to call :__________?
Marital Status:__________?
How many proposed occupants :__________?
List all in addition to yourself including approx age :__________?
Present Address :__________?
City/State :__________?
Will you have pets :__________?
Please describe Breed, size :__________?
Personality of pet :__________?
Preferred move in date :__________?
Intended length of lease:__________?
Do you agree to pay the payment before you move in:__________?
Earliest possible date of deposit payment:__________?
Length of previous tenancy :__________?
Present occupation :__________?
Are you a section 8 applicant  
Do you work late night :__________?
Do you smoke :__________?
Do you drink :__________?
Send your picture or family picture __________?

Please feel free to ask any questions you do not understand and i will be looking forward to receive your email as soon as possible. As i am not around to show the inside, you can go check out the house and the neighborhood from the outside and get back to me if you really like it for more information. Please respond ASAP.
I hope to read from you with more information.Thanks for the time and energy writing me, My regards to your family.you can call me for more info 786) 529-0995
For more inquiries,

Best Regards.

He tried calling and texting me trying to get me to make a deposit on a house in KC. Hes a missionary in Florida he says. Its not gonna work on me.

Same situation, going by the name Rev. Bessie D Rossetti and claiming to be a missionary. Trying to rent out a home in the Charlotte, NC area. I looked up the real Bessie D Rossetti and she's like 90 years old. If someone's asking for money before meeting you and showing you a property you should definitely ignore it. Never give money before making sure the person is the property owner!!!!

I responded to an add from Rev. Andrea K. Burtt claiming to have a house for rent in North Carolina.  Once I realized it was a scam, I reported it to Craigslist and to FBI (at http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx).  

Please report this scam if it has happened to you so that the scammers may get caught!  Do not assume everyone else has done it already.  If I am the only one that has reported it, nothing may ever get done about it!  

He's at in Orlando too. Goes by Pastor Molly Miller. Incredible house for rent, below market value. Wanted to rent it for 5 years, prayed for us yada  yada... Agreed he was going to send us the keys to see it,  so we could decide, then suddenly wanted a check first before sending the keys... RED FLAG!!!
They are scammers In Miami. I hope they get caught soon..

This # is being used to call and ask for money for a house for rent posted in Craigslist at south san Francisco, he said his name is Pastor Kelly Jacob who owns the house and asked for details of my phone # and email to contact . He asked for deposit money and he will send the keys of the house.

What is weird is why he doesn't have no one to entrust his property here and pushing for money stating he prayed over it ..

This # is being used for house for rent in south san Francisco asking for money deposit.

Hi John,
I just received an email from PASTOR RICHARD L. LYLE. He offered a nice house in Oxnard, CA (3BR, 1100 sqft, furnished) on the beach for rent @ $850, which would be usually $2000 and up in this area.
He asked to fill out an application in order to get the keys ASAP.
I'm wondering, how he wants to collect checks and cash them without showing the property.

This guy scammed my craigslist ad for a house that I'm trying to rent.  Fortunately, the person that he was trying to scam called and e-mailed me and let me know she had some questions and I learned of this scam.  He is going by the name of Richard L. Lyle, pastor from Miami.

Im glad i did my research and looked this up same response from him $ 700 for rent how soon can we send money for an apartment in San Diego CA. He is going by Rev Patrick M Stanton from Fl... Thank You for these post... Big Scam What can be done to report this person. This is the email he provided us patrickmstanton@yahoo.com

Huge Scam!! He is pretending to rent a house out..he told us he lives in Nebraska and he wont be home for 5 years but wants to rent. He wants a 700 deposit before he mails keys! He calls himself Rev Allen l butts. He needs to be reported

They also believe they own a house in DC, and are renting it out, again it is a scam. They go by the name Rev. Kelly L Jacob as missionaries in Florida. They lift the addresses from zillion and trulia. Don't be fooled

I guess we are all looking into the same house. They are going by rev. jance y johnson as well. I just received a text from them and they have emailed me asking how quickly can i send them the deposit to the house to receive keys also. I am glad that I googled the number and found all of this information. Luckily I have not sent any money. I am convinced the house posting is a scam. Is there any way to report this individual?

He called me i was tryn to rent a house from him send him two payments he went by charles im so pissed

dont send money its a scam! I swear it is a scam it got me twice this week kept asking for a depoit or how soon i can come up with the deposit and they will ship me the house keys