We are pounded constantly by advertising and marketing and occasionally a good scam. I can recall a couple of years ago a beautiful vintage Fender Stratocaster that I nearly fell for that fell in the category of "too good to be true." Thankfully I woke up once I read the phrase "Western Union" the money. I recently placed a rental listing of mine on CraigsList for a fantastic historic row home in the Little Italy section of Baltimore. Cute as can be! Let me introduce you to a fine Englishman, Paul Resch...
Paul asked for me information on the property as his company based in the UK was to be opening an office in Baltimore. Checking out the company, it did match the location of where he currently lived. Knowing that a review of a credit report from one of our bureau's, I asked him for the information on his landlord. His landlord replied with a modest testimonial about our dear friend Paul (paulresch80@gmail.com).
Here was one of his first replies:
I want the 12 month lease to start on the 15th of April 2009, I also want to notify you that I have in the mean time arrange with an interior decorator (Agent) who will be handling the purchase of furniture's, entertainment system and other appliances that I will need in the property, they will as well be in charge of moving down my luggage's down to the states. So the check of $7,500 will be sent over to you which is a relocation grant by my employer. All you need do is to deduct the deposit $3,350 and forward the difference to my Decorators so I can have the place prepared before my arrival. All applications and lease will be signed as soon as I arrive. Also for familiarization I am Paul Resch, I am 31 yrs of age, a British citizen, married to a lovely lady, with a daughter (Family staying over in the UK), I work with ( Kingsbridge Risk Solutions (UK) Ivy house,8 - 10 High Street,Twyford,READING,RG10 9AE), as a loss adjuster agent, I am a Christian, reserved in Nature, Non smoker also i don't keep pets.
I look forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship as a tenant with you. I await the details. You can reach my at this number +44702 402 3794 Below is my present landlords information for reference :
Dr.Joseph Williams.
4 Dorville Crescent. London W6 0HJ
UNITED KINGDOM
EMAIL:josephwilliams2xxp@live.com
Regards.
Paul Resch
Once I notified Paul that we would not accept a check for $7,500, almost double the amount of rent and deposit, our communication began to lag. The sounds too god to be true Stratocaster began to pop up in my head once again. You see Paul or whatever his name is solely looking for opportunities to rent a home from afar, send a phony check, and as it sits in limbo and never clears- attempt to earn the difference for his "interior decorator."
While I was optimistic the transaction would work, in hindsight, it simply didn't add up. So beware of Paul and scammers that attempt to secure your properties from afar with a hefty check coming straight from his company's relocation department!
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