Ok, looking for housing in Flagstaff, az. Here's the ad link:
http://flagstaff.craigslist.org/apa/1300846813.html seems normal enough except its pretty cheap. Here's my emails from him. (Cliff notes at bottom)
Hey Evan,
Sorry for my late reply...I've been out of town..but there is no problem if you are still interested in my property...it is still available for rent,my current tenants will be out by August,so I will need to know if you are likely to move in soo soon or month..A 2-3months rent is required.is it just you and Lauren will be the occupant or a third person will come join you guys after or what?.Do you have a good credit check..well. I just do not want my present tenant to owe me..because it is a month to month rental..It is located on N.Beaver.I am having problem attaching a picture of my property so I will not at this time but I will try to attach picture of my property in my next email if I ever read from you
Micheal
and then the weirder one..
Hey Evan,
We have the same names and it sounds good to have you as my tanant..I attached picture of me and my family for you to know whom the owner of the property is and your landlord if you are willing to take proper care of my property and appliance..My current tenants will be out by Aug 12th,so I will need to know when exactly you are likely to move in.
Attached is a duplicate of my property lease agreement form,property picture and my self that will be coming along with other documents and keys,you will sign it when you receive it after signing the agreement form you will make a duplicate and send the photocopy back to my secretary address which i will be emailing you after i receive your email and hold the original copy with you because I will come from time to time to pay you a visit after you have moved into my home to see how you are maintaining it.
Before moving in you will deposit either three,two or first month rental which ever you feel you are capable of doing so that all documents and keys will be delivered to your given home or work address,a receipt as prove of payment and all documents will be delivered to you through my secretary in Michigan because that is where you will pay your rental fee,My secretary bank account is currently inactive due to the reason of fake check and money order she received on this same issue for that you will send/wire the rental fee
through western union or money gram to my secretary in Michigan,because I think it is reliable, secured and fast. From your profile I can see that you are responsible and a hard working person.Please Here is the rental application form for you to fill and get back to me in other for me to have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you and
contacting you:
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 property:
11) Pictures of all the Occupant that will stay in my property
PS:Let me know if I should ignore every other tenants that has shown interest in this same property though I believe that you will take property care of my property once you people move in.This being an international business transaction, I want to make sure that we are both covered under any agreement that is made,for you to be rest assure. Do get back to me so that I can complete the keys and every other document for registration as soon as possible for you to occupy the properties.
Micheal
Cliffnotes:
He did attach pictures of a house, and some goofy looking dude with a wife and two kids, but wtf is up with this? I know, none of you read all that. He says a bunch of weird shit (which could be explainable because he is supposedly foreign) and he wants me to send rent/deposit to his secretary in Michigan via western union or moneygram. Hasn't asked for money yet, but who would send a deposit without at least seeing the house and having keys anyway? I'll ask him some more specific questions about it, but is this a common type of scam? With housing? Seems like a weird one to try to pull off.