Craigslist Scammers
Thursday, 17 May 2012 10:32
Grand Rapids, MI - He ran an ad seeking a babysitter. When someone contacted him, he would get personal information and obtain money from them to pay for running a background check on them. Then he would never be heard from again.
He had previously served time in prison for running the same scam in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Friday, 04 May 2012 14:13
Lower Paxton Township, PA - The ad said she was selling a 2002 VW Passat.
She took a $300 deposit to secure the sale from four people then she shut off her phone.
Carmen Marie Wilkes, 38, has been arrested on charges of theft by deception, criminal attempt theft by deception, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and unlawful use of a computer.
Wednesday, 18 April 2012 06:02
A scammer goes to a real estate site and grabs copies of house photos.
Then he places "for rent" ads, using the pilfered photos.
When somebody expresses interest, the scammer tries to get them to send money, often a deposit plus the first month's and last month's rent. The scammer usually requests that the money be wired.
Then the "renter" discovers the house isn't available and they've lost their money.
The scammers are often overseas, as in this case, where a house was listed for sale in Charleston, WV.
The scammer placed an ad advertising the house for rent.
A prospective renter showed up to look at the property and the homeowner was shocked to learn her house was being advertised for rent -- by somebody else.
Saturday, 14 April 2012 07:28
A Massachusetts man has been arrested for scamming people around the country out of money in real estate scams. Police arrested Joshua Leventhal, age 48, at his home, after a 10-month investigation.
He would contact people on several websites, including rent-to-own sites, offer property for rent, take their money, then never contact them again. He reportedly targeted people with a bad credit history. He offered to purchase property then rent it to people on a rent-to-own basis.
He reportedly scammed people out of amounts varying from $1,000 to $8,000.
Friday, 06 April 2012 06:55
A western Pennsylvania man ran an ad for a roommate.
He received an e-mail from someone who said they were interested.
They sent him a check for more than the amount due, and asked him to send back the balance.
Later, they sent a second check.
The man got suspicious and told the bank he was concerned about the validity of the checks and asked the bank to determine if the checks were good or bogus. The bank told him they'd take care of it.
Later, a cop arrived at his home and arrested him for forgery, theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
The cop hauled him off to jail, where he was held for a week.
Later, the charges were dropped.
The man is now suing the cop who arrested him.
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