Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing

At our office meeting today, we heard of a scam that was new to us, although we all get frequent chances to help wealthy Nigerians in various ways. An agent in our Johnson City TN office had shown one of her $800 rental condos to someone who seemed interested but didn’t sign a lease at that time. Later, he called and wanted to rent the one he saw on Craig’s List for $650. She assured him that they were all $800 and there was only one still available. He insisted he’d seen it for that great price on Craig’s List, and when she checked, sure enough – it was there, complete with pictures, even her picture, but with a different price and email address. Luckily, because he’d already met her, he called her instead of emailing the address on Craig’s List. He was disappointed, but at least he didn’t fall for a scam. Someone else did, on the same property. A young woman also responded to the changed email, sent the “owner” the requested information, got preliminary approval from the owner, then sent Social Security number, bank account, credit card info, and wired the first-month’s rent and security deposit. The promised key never arrived and somehow she got in touch with the agent, embarrassed that she’d fallen for this. She had been reassured by the “owner’s” expressed confidence that God would provide a good tenant and other expressions that should indicate good character but did not in this case. It’s especially reprehensible when people use the language of believers to deceive others. The person gave details about the inside of the property that he could not have had from the pictures on the internet which showed it furnished, and it is now vacant. He told her which window would give her the best view of the interior, etc. He couldn’t show it to her in person because he was out of the country on a mission trip, even naming the mission group. The mission appears to be scamming people If it could happen twice on one rental, there’s no telling how often something similar has happened on others, and even on properties for sale.