Victim Location 94116
Total money lost $1,780
Type of a scam Rental
My boyfriend and I first got in contact with the other party through Craigslist for a rental inquiry for a small apartment in San Francisco on January 4th. The first part of our exchange was purely informational, in order to gain as much information and pictures of the unit that we were looking to rent. The other party provided detailed emails of the unit, along with texts to ensure we had every question answered. Unfortunately, my boyfriend and I were unable to view the unit since the other party claimed they had tenants currently living there, but to ensure we would get the unit, they told us to sign the paperwork and pay the upfront fee.
The other party then sent us a rental agreement, which was approved. They then sent us the lease to be signed and emailed back to them. They asked for the first-month rent ($1280) plus the security deposit fee ($500) which would be transferred via Zelle. They said once the money was received, we would be emailed a rental receipt. We decided to meet on January 18th at 9 A.M. for the keys and be able to move into the unit, and that we must bring a copy of the rental receipt.
Prior to arriving at the unit, I texted Ana asking if she would like a physical or digital copy of the rental receipt, and she messaged me saying it was okay for me to show the rental receipt through with my phone. At 9 A.M. on January 18th, my boyfriend and I arrive at the unit and wait outside on the driveway for the other party to show up. After 5 minutes passing by, we decided to ring the doorbell but there was no one there and we checked near the gate where the unit was located to see if anyone was there as well, but we saw no one.
We waited 20 minutes and decided to ask the neighbor if he knew the names of the people next door, and he said they were not George or Ana who claimed to be the owners of the property. After waiting 10 more minutes in the car, my boyfriend and I see a car drove into the driveway and we decide to approach her and ask if she was Ana. The woman (who was the actual owner of the property) was very confused when we asked her about the unit for rent. After showing her emails between the other party and me, and the pictures included, she told me that those are the same pictures she used for the unit she rents out through Airbnb. However, she said that the unit is currently inactive and she has not posted any information regarding the unit she owns. She told us we should report to the police about the fraud activity we were involved in.
Victim Location 60647
Type of a scam Fake Check/Money Order
I have in my possession a check in the amount of $2,550. 68 they want me to deposit in my acct to collect payment of $500 for advertising a phone decal on my car. I’m also required to wire the rest of the money to David Jules and Paul James in Houston Tx.
Victim Location 77070
Type of a scam Other
An individual named Alfred or Alvin Cooper called and said he was with the BBB. He stated the consumer won a Mercedes and would be stopping by to pick her up to claim the award. He later arrived in a yellow cab at her home and was requesting payment. The consumer did not offer payment to the individual. The consumer later called the real ScamPulse.com to inform them of the scam. The ScamPulse.com does not offer this type of award to consumers at all; the caller/individual is fraudulent.
Victim Location 96713
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
From Toyota, saying I won prize money of 750,000 from a lottery promotion organized by Toyota Lottery Inc. They are requesting from me my full name, home address, occupation, sex, age, direct phone number, state and country in which I reside. They want me to respond to this email address: [email protected]