Beware of Housing Fraud…Here and Abroad

My colleague’s friend just sent her this email which was a response from an ad she answered online:

Hello,

My name is Burgin Badams the owner of the 1bedroom apartment and also want you to know that it was due to my transfer that makes me my wife and Son to leave the house and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean at the time and the person that will rent it to take it as if it were its own. So for now, We are here in west Africa, our new house and put all my worries off concerning the maintenance of the apartment for, since i am not residing there for now.I left behind some Facilities and electonics which include the rent, and a DVD player, air conditioning, alarm system. The kitchen is fully equipped with all necessary cooking utensils, arefrigerator-freezer, four-hob and oven, microwave,dishwasher and washing machine, My Computer Connected with Internet Acess Also the keys to the House are right here with me, and the lease document. Which i can send to you after all necessary agreement has be accepted. Also i will like you to know that the rent charges is not really the issue,Hope you are okay with the price of $800 with hydro,heat laundry facilities,air condition and so on,but your absolute maintenance of my apartment is most important thing so will want you to get back to me with the Application form below.

Here is the Apartment Address: 25 Tudor City Place #2118/2119, New York NY 10017

RENT APPLICATION FORM
1)Your Full Name
2)Your Full Address & Phone Number
3)How old are you?
4)Are you married?
5)How many people will be living in the house?
6)Do you have a pet?
7)Do you have a car?
8)Occupation?
9)When do you want to move in
10)How long do you want to stay in my apartment
11) Pictures of all the Occupant that will stay in my apartment

MORE DETAILS

The accomodation comprises; entrance hall/landing (21’1×5’10), reception room (17’0x16’0), kitchen breakfast room (13×11), bedroom 1 (12’10×10’5), bathroom and separate WC on the first floor.

FURNISHED
PERIOD PROPERTY
SPACIOUS AND LIGHT
KITCHEN BREAKFAST ROOM
POPULAR AREA
GOOD TRANSPORT LINKS

Landing 22’1" x 5’10" ( 6.73m x 1.78m )
Reception room 17’0" x 16’0" ( 5.18m x 4.88m )
Kitchen 13’0" x 11’0" ( 3.96m x 3.35m )
Bathroom 6’10" x 5’10" ( 2.08m x 1.78m )
Guest WC 5’0" x 2’10" ( 1.52m x 0.86m )

One McWilliam called me about the apartment,I told him that I can’t give him the apartment because he loves smoking,drinking and dont want him to get drunked and damaged my property one day so If you are still interested, No extra fees.I will like you to give me a call on this effect to know how serious you are. I personally will actually come visiting you sometimes during the year as our new tenant.Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you. Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the keys of the Apartment to you.

Thanks
Burgin Badams

The exact same ad was posted online in Vancouver for a property there.