Admin

Scam to be cautious of

By
Real Estate Agent with United Country Peaceful Escape Real Estate

Hi, I just wanted everyone to be aware of this scam so that you don't get involved in it. This person e-mailed about one of our 1.2 Million Dollar listings and asked for more pictures, which I sent. Then I received the following e-mail. Note the part where they want me to give their "survey" team money...

 "Hello .

I truly appreciate your effort in all.I regret to state that i won't be able to make it on time to come over to view the property. I will send you a comprehensive mail with the way things are going to go  through as I don't know how soon I can leave United Kingdom because of some new developments over here.
 
I would be sending a group of Survey team down to the property to meet with the owner of the property  but i know there won't be any transaction unless you have given me your words and approval. A check will be drawn out to your company  name so as to proceed with this transaction.I am purchasing this property for my dad as a gift for his upcoming retirement from service and the date is fast drawing near.
 
A check of $240,000 .00 will be sent to you, you will take 20% of it as deposit for the property just to make sure that it is not sold to any other person,and to pull off the ads on any advert that it might have posted on.
 
You will make sure the rest are been remitted to the Survey property so as to enable them carry out all the  Survey and rightfully responsibilities as regards to this transaction,because they have confirmed to me that unless they receive some part payment Asap they won't be coming over to your location .
 
As soon as they complete all Survey and confirm the status of the transaction successfully and approved by government that is after going through  Survey and all legal proper  documentaries the complete funds for the property will be wired into the nominated account of the owners before the release of the title or the change of ownership documents. I  will be needing you to provide me with either your company name and address that will be attention ed to the check.
 

Thanks for your understanding and effort.
Please keep me advised as to any additional requirements you have

 
I await your swift response

Regards"

Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
Hi Becky:  This all sounds pretty daffy to me.  Just where do they come up with stuff like this ?  I am guessing that they continue to do it because every once in while somebody bites on it. 
Feb 11, 2008 11:19 AM
Audrey June-Forshey
RE/MAX Realty Services - Darnestown, MD
GRI, Gaithersburg, MD

This is big on Craig's list with rentals as well.  I advertised one of my own rentals and got 4 or 5 of these emails.  You would think those guys would get their act together and know whos emailing whom?  Thanks for putting the warning out.  We have to let everyone know this. 

Feb 11, 2008 11:21 AM
Debra Gambill
Weichert Realtor's Southern Coast - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Realtor, N.C. / S.C

Just when I think I have heard it all--then something like this happens- thanks for the warning.

Feb 11, 2008 11:23 AM
Stephanie Moen (Lazcano)
Champions Real Estate Group - Houston, TX
Commercial Property Manager and Leasing Agent
Wow, can't believe these guys.  I would be very suspicious about an email like this
Feb 11, 2008 11:36 AM
Konnie Mac McCarthy
MacNificent Properties, LLC - Cobb Island, MD
Broker/Owner - VA & MD "Time To Get A Move On!"
You know what I have noticed..the minute a letter has "adverts" in it...It's a scam..who talks like that....
Feb 11, 2008 01:30 PM
Keith Elliott Jr
KEIRE Realty Group - Manassas, VA
Principal Broker/Owner

Hi Becky,

Welcome to Active Rain and congrats on your first post! The opportunities to learn and network are incredible here. Best of luck to ya!

-Keith

Feb 11, 2008 03:25 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
Hi Becky,

I see this is your first post on Active Rain.  Congratulations!!  I just wanted to welcome you to a fantastic Real Estate Industry Network!  Welcome aboard, I hope you'll continue to Blog, and invite others.  

I’ve added a link to a post called, “NEW MEMBERS – Start Here” that will hopefully get you up and running with the least amount of effort, and also help you to navigate around Active Rain more efficiently.

I hope you'll find this to be a useful post in helping you get started. 

Again, welcome to Active Rain, the best place to start, and have a Blogging experience!

Good Luck to you and your business!  B-)
Feb 12, 2008 12:52 AM
Angie Vandenbergh
Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN
A Crye-Leike Blogger

Hi! Welcome to the site. I see this is your first post.

There is a lot of reading on this site. I recommend that you read, read, read and then comment, comment, comment. There are so many different blogs to read. There are tons of topics out there from real estate, marketing, technology, seo, staging, mortgage, etc. It goes on and on. You'll start to get to know people and before you know it... you'll have figured out the benefits of the site. 

Also check out Resources for the Active Rain Newbie.

Good luck!

Feb 12, 2008 01:16 AM