Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Home › News › Local News

New scam out of Africa rents Denver homes on Craigslist

Rick Sallinger, CBS4 News

Published December 3, 2008 at 7:31 a.m.
Updated December 3, 2008 at 8:19 a.m.

Text size  

Related Links

More Local News

More stories »

Some homeowners in the Denver area have seen their houses offered for rent by someone else on Craigslist. It's another in a series of scams that appear to be based in the African country of Nigeria.

Builder John Kurowski's real estate agent got a call from someone who spotted an ad on Craigslist. One look at the price in the ad and it was clear it was a scam. The ad listed the price as $1,300 a month for a five-bedroom, incredibly charming home. But the real owner, Kurowski, never placed such an ad.

"First of all it's not his house, whoever this person is; it's not their house," Kurowski said. "Second of all they have no right to use my house as part of a scam."

In fact, Kurowski's house is for rent at $4,500 a month — three times what the ad states. It's also for sale.

His real estate agent responded to the Craigslist ad to try to see what was happening. The reply stated the owner went "for a crusade to West Africa (Nigeria)," and asked for deposit money to be sent.

"It's amazing someone would send a deposit to someone in Africa thinking they are going to get the house," Kurowski said.

But it's happened time and time again and not just with Kurowski's house.

"It's been a horrible experience. They've lost their money and he does sometimes send them keys," Connie Yamauchi with Heartstone Properties said. "He'll overnight a key and it's just a blank key that goes to nothing."

Kurowski's house is worth more than $1 million, but someone apparently took information from a legitimate ad, put it on Craigslist and claimed it as their own adding, "I'm a kind and honest man."

The Colorado Attorney General's Office says there's not much that can be done about the scam if a home appears on Craigslist in this manner. They say to always be cautious of sending money overseas without assurances.

Comments

  • December 3, 2008

    8:05 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    toocool writes:

    You deserve to be "taken" if you even respond to such an add and more so if you actually made an advanced payment on any rental property.

  • December 3, 2008

    8:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    INC writes:

    About three months ago, I was alerted to this same thing happening to me. A friend who knows my property's sent me an email asking why would I be on a crusade in Africa and to call them when I got back... I called just after receiving the email... We devised a plan to vote down the add ASAP. whilst I contacted the poster asking for details. And who would I call for maintenance? No response and the add was down in 24 Hours.

    So My Advice would be ask "who does the Maintenance?" AND Call the maintenance personnel given!
    it would take 5min and thwart the scam.

  • December 3, 2008

    8:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    campesino60 writes:

    Much like the Wal-mart tramplings, people are desperate for deals and are more than willing to be blinded and baffooned out of their hard earned money.

  • December 3, 2008

    8:36 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    incognitoboy writes:

    ANY advertisement claiming ANYthing that seems out of the ordinary should be suspect. if it asks you to send ANY money to ANY other country, ITS A SCAM!

    recently, folks in my area have become targets of somone in CANADA! this person or persons gets hold of an elderly person's personal info (names of relatives, phone #) and calls claiming to be a grandson who's stranded in canada fishing/hunting/arrested for? and asking for around 3K with a "please don't tell mom and dad, i'll pay you back when i get home". they instruct the target to send the money from walmart moneygram service, and it's 'hello, cash', unless the walmart employee is alert, which of course, NOW we all are after several people fell victim.....

    so, MX_junky, are these older folks "gifted" too, when they just think they're helping a distressed grandson/daughter? not everyone recognises the voice of someone long distance.

    these scammers should be thrown off a bridge!

  • December 3, 2008

    8:44 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    blacksho89 writes:

    inconitoboy: There is a huge difference in the examples. The "renters" are trying to get a deal they KNOW can't be fair to the owner. $1500.00 for a house that rents for 3 times that? They, in effect, are trying to be the scammer. They are doing what they know to be morally wrong.
    Grandma is trying to do what is right.

    I do like the bridge idea. Are there crocodiles in the Nigerian rivers?

  • December 3, 2008

    9:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Macita183 writes:

    I don't know about you but I wouldn't rent an apartment or house without having a look at the inside first, which is typically done with the leasing agent. Wouldn't you sense something was up when you had to send money to another country?

  • December 3, 2008

    9:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    KING writes:

    a fool and their money....

  • December 3, 2008

    9:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    TheDenverB writes:

    mx, nobody is going to take you or your opinoin seriously if you continue talking to everyone like that.

    you sound more like a B-rate WWF wrestler than someone with intelligence and an opinion worth reading about.

  • December 3, 2008

    10:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    NewToHR writes:

    I CAN TOP IT ALL!! We just moved to Highlands - we searched and contacted homes on Craigslist. We actually contacted these people and got the mission scenario, too. We also contacted the real ad (they used her pics) and told her what was going on. They're not even smart enough to change the listing content, just the price. They did ask for money and emailed contracts. We never replied, but the real owner did to confront and they disappeared - even removed their listing for her home.

  • December 3, 2008

    10:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Cowboy63 writes:

    STOP right now and go directly to:

    http://www.419eater.com/

    Check out the "trophy room". Sometimes these scammers mess with the wrong people.

  • December 3, 2008

    10:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Raemid writes:

    Keep in mind that some people are moving to Colorado and need to find a place to live before they arrive. And they usually don't know the local market prices very well.

    Renting a house without seeing it first isn't that uncommon for people moving from out of state, particularly for short-term leases. And many landlord require a deposit to hold a house for a potential tenant. I can see how someone could fall for this trap. You might too, if you were moving from out of state.

  • December 3, 2008

    11:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    redfive writes:

    Nigerians have schools that they can go to learn these scams. Beware of e-mail that sounds like it is written by someone that appears too kind and trusting for an American. And watch for UK email addresses.

  • December 3, 2008

    11:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kushku writes:

    These Nigerians are relentless...It's really annoying..It's giving other Africans a bad name..These scams are entirely by Nigerians..They might say that they are in Canada, Scotland, Germany, Spain, Australia etc.....It's not true...THEY ARE IN NIGERIA and they need to stop. We just need to cut off internet communication from Nigeria..I am dead serious.

  • December 3, 2008

    12:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    666 writes:

    Truther has blessed us with, quite possibly, the dumbest post anyone has ever submitted to this site.

    Because the scam originates in Nigeria, that automatically means that the scammer is black?? Because the victim is American, that automatically means they are white?? Nigeria consists of many different racial groups, and there are lots of people that maintain addresses there but live elsewhere.

    Even if you're joking, it's that flavor of stupidity that makes people fall for such schemes. But, given the virtue of Freedom of Speech, you have every right to let such blitheringly idiotic drivel drip from your lips.

  • December 3, 2008

    12:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    I used to get relay calls from Nigeria requesting 2 to 5 kilos of gold chains or bars, Rolex watches, 25,000 dollar Vacherons, and they even run several credit card numbers by you to make the purchase, as several of the numbers won't clear. We knew it was a scam, and even told the relay operator here in the United States it was a scam, and the relay operator just keeps on with the deal. Diamonds were another scam they tried to run. They know we do both, so they target us. What gets me is when I exposed the scam to the U.S. company handling the relay call, they just keep on talking without canceling the call. I could care less, show me the dead presidents, because I don't ship without cash in hand.

  • December 3, 2008

    12:28 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    HankReardon writes:

    Didn't Al Gore invent the internet in Nigeria? Or something like that?

  • December 3, 2008

    12:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    I've even caught local retail outlets selling plated jewelry as gold, unhallmarked gold, one big department store took it back when I exposed it to the customer and got her money back no questions asked. I always love when they use a machine to verify a diamond, now you're going to trust the idiot to grade it? One corporate pawnbroker sent a customer to me with a 18,000 dollar wristwatch for me to make an offer on, telling the customer that whatever I offered he would exceed my price. What he was doing is using me to authenticate the piece. Another corporate pawnbroker told a customer her 3 carat European cut diamond was fake, poor woman recieved it as an inheritance and wouldn't believe me it was real because of what these idiots said. It was flawless and colorless, stone was beautiful. I am bound by honor to tell the truth, I have over 20 years in the profession. I'll tell you if it's a diamond, moisonite, CZ, real ruby, whatever with my eye and a loupe, I will grade it also free of charge. Last thing I want to do is see my face on TV in a sting by some television investigator telling some client a false or misleading statement. I have many good competitors who are honest and are a service to the public, but I've caught many ripping the public raw whether on purpose or by error. The department stores should check their supplier by checking the pieces. Mall Kiosks are another ball game all together. If they can't authenticate and grade the stone without a machine run! I had a garnet doublet come in mounted that looked like a perfect ruby, I seen lazer drilled diamonds sold undisclosed, so many tricks. High end Italian copy Rolexes, God knows. You should always have a good rapport with the people you're purchasing high end items from, especially when buying from a private party.

  • December 3, 2008

    12:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    HankReardon writes:

    What Would Fela Kuti Do?

  • December 3, 2008

    12:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    FatTony writes:

    It is FatTony's opinion that he will agree with mxRider, that MX_junky is a tard.

    Don't even respond to this person. Not worth anyone's time.

  • December 3, 2008

    1:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ruckus writes:

    there's a $ucker born every minute...

  • December 3, 2008

    2:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LadyBird112 writes:

    It never ceases to amaze me just how incredibly stupid people are! Honestly, why would anyone believe something like this? Anyone ever recieved an e-mail from Nigeria telling you that you would recieve $2 million from them? All you would have to do is send an e-mail back with your bank account number and then they'd do direct deposit into your account. I started getting those e-mails when I was 15 or 16 and even then I still wasn't stupid enough to believe that. It just boggles my little mind that people are such imbeciles.

  • December 3, 2008

    3:01 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    campesino60 writes:

    Americans are so gullible and ill educated. Those who fall for these types of scams are ignora$$es and believe they are smarter than the average bear.

  • December 3, 2008

    3:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    NotUrFriend writes:

    666,

    Being I used to work for a substantially sized wiring company and we dealt in detail with scams originating from Negiria I'm familiar with the 'ethnic' groupings there....You'd be amazed to learn that over 97% of the population are direct (literally) decendants of native African's and the other 3% or so are mostly European business owners (or former) who operated in now illegal industries and trades (Example, slavory).

    The religious groups, well, the only ones that are large enough to matter, are Christian (Northern) and Muslim (Southern). They together account for well over 85% percent of the population and the rest are a scattered mix of native faiths and a mixer of the two dominate faiths.

    So, when you think that a scam originating in Nigeria might somehow be grouped as being a possible African (not African American) rather than say, a Latino living in Peru, than....Well? That does add up statistically speaking. You have about a 95% chance or so of being correct in assuming that.

    As for "White American's" seeing as White's account for about 60 to 70 percent of the population you've got about a 6 or 7 out of 10 chance that your right. I guess statistics don't tell the whole tale, but they certainly are the basis's of common logic and assumption.

    I did not have the displeasure of seeing the rather rude (apparently) comment of the member you mentioned but those are honeset statistics. This does not excuse whatever offensive behavior he or she may of said and please do not assume I'm making an apology here to excuse it as such.

    Now, heres something alot of people should know. Nigerian scams are often copy cats of scams originating from our northern bordering nation, such as elderly lottery fraud. You've heard of Jamiacan, Nigerian, English, Australian, Nepal, and such lottery scams? Guess where that started? You can literally become an independent millionaire feeding off the innocent and desperate nature of our elderly American population from the safety of Canada.

    Anywho, just my .02 cents.

    I.

  • December 3, 2008

    3:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    cantread writes:

    i call it capitalism and resourcefulness - hsss hsss hsss - nigeria is a fifth world country

  • December 3, 2008

    3:26 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    NotUrFriend writes:

    LadyBird,

    They typically will target the elderly as a more practical and vulnerable victim, as many times our elderly population are in more financial difficulty (Walmart Greeters anyone?) and more susceptible to believe that the scam itself is real. I've been receiving those for a loooooong time, heck, back when AOL was popular! So you can imagine how long ago that was!

    It's surprising how easily a good natured, honest, trusting American these days can be victimized financially. It’s not stupidity, its expecting the best rather than appreciating the worst. You can’t expect good things from your fellow man. Greed, ya know? Pretty sad.

    I.

  • December 3, 2008

    3:30 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    NotUrFriend writes:

    Camp,

    Group me in there with those gullible 'stupid' Americans! :) I was dumb enough once to pull over and help someone with a battery issue off of I-70 (thats in Colorado for you non natives*) and got stabbed in the stomach twice. It was pure luck I happened to have been armed to fight back, but the damage was done.

    So we are in agreement....When dealing with your fellow man, cut his throat first, and than ask questions about the situation ONLY after the guy stops moving.

    Good to find another street educated fellow on this forum.

    I.

  • December 3, 2008

    4:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LadyBird112 writes:

    Oh my god, Friend--I'm so glad to hear you're ok and were able to fight back.

  • December 3, 2008

    5:04 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    NotUrFriend writes:

    Lady,

    Thanks, it seems like an eternity ago. I was young, and a bit foolish. I should have been a bit wisier, but I was an overconfidant teenage male who thought the weight of the world couldn't bring me to my knees if it tried. It's only with humiality that you honestly learn.

    It's in the past. But thank you, I appreciate your kind words. My fighting back was more like a beached whale, meaning, not very effective. But it was more fight than he wanted and gave up.

    I.

  • December 3, 2008

    5:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    kelankoa writes:

    I am from Las Vegas NV and recently inquired about a property in North Las Vegas. Very similar to the article the gentleman stated that he was a missionary and had recently been sent to Africa with his family, he asked that I send him the deposit for the rental and he will then send me the keys. I thought it was a scam from the moment I read the ad - it was for a 2700 sq.ft. single story home for $1,000.00/month - and although that may seem drastic, I have encountered people desperate to rent out properties and willing to drop the rent - but when I had questioned him as to why it was so cheap, I never received a reply. Not to mention he never exchanged telephone information - we were only in contact via e-mail. Be very careful who you deal with. I actually pulled up the property on assessors and noticed it was owned by someone else BUT not actually a person but an entity and one of which was of African origin. So pretty believable up until I asked too many questions. This person is making a business of this and has done his research.

  • December 4, 2008

    7:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    PVMsr writes:

    Like my grandmother used to say, "if the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is." Nothing is free in the world today, except advise.

  • December 4, 2008

    9:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    wow writes:

    Followed your link cowboy. Holy moly......

  • December 4, 2008

    10:45 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MrBob writes:

    toocool,
    Unfortunately your comment is typical of many attitudes these days...blame the victim if he is trusting. Not too cool.

    Kind of like saying, he deserved to have his house broken into since he didn't lock the door.

  • December 4, 2008

    11:48 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mzhershey writes:

    first of all you deserve to be taken from if you send anyone your account or personal info over the internet especially when you dont know them i wouldnt give my personal info to a family member, everyone knows that about ppl in Nigeria are one of the big scam and con artist around i know ppl are desperate these days but come on now use your thinking caps a little