Grr....I should have known it was too good to be true!


I was searching Craigslist for some insight on what 1-2 bedroom apartments/houses in Boulder cost, and I came across a 3 bedroom/2 bath house pretty near downtown Boulder. $1400, with all utilities paid, a fenced-in yard, AND dogs are allowed. This is a pretty rare gem for Boulder, especially for that price! I got this e-mail in response:

Hello,

Thanks for your email and interest in renting my house, I actually own this house that you are making inquiry about. I formerly reside in the house with my family before and presently we have moved out due to my transfer from my church and now i am currently in Lagos, Nigeria for an international Christian follower's crusade.  My house is still available for rent for $1400 USD (rent already includes utilities). I formerly wanted to sell the house but my wife adviced me that i should rent it out to a responsible person/family.

Please i want you to note that i spent a lot of money taking good care of my property and i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and i want you to treat it as your own, money is not the main problem but i want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat and in good shape when i come for a check up. I will like to trust you with my house as i do stand on my word.

This is the address of the House ( 2485 Folsom Street Boulder, CO 80304 ),

The house has a dramatic entry foyer with ceramic floor. Extremely spacious rooms throughout with lots of big windows...nice and light! New neutral paint and some newer carpet..Very quiet, low traffic area. Appliances included are washer, dryer, oven,dishwasher, new fridge (7/07)...I believe its absolutely a perfect home for you and your family. Utilities include Water,Trash,Sewer,Gas, Electricity E.T.C...

SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE
RENT APPLICATION FORM BELOW

RENT APPLICATION FORM.

FIRST NAME:__________?
MIDDLE NAME:__________?
LAST NAME:__________?
DATE OF BIRTH:_________?
PROFESSION:__________?
PHONE:
(CELL)PHONE__________?
(WORK)PHONE__________?
(HOME)PHONE__________?
MARITAL STATUS:__________?
KIDS _____ (YES/NO), HOW MANY ________
PRESENT ADDRESS: _____________________
CITY: _______________
STATE:______________
ZIP CODE: ____________
HOW LONG? ___________IF RENTING
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING__________?
IF THIS HOUSE IS BEING GIVEN TO YOU,
HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING? ____________?
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN? ______________?
DO YOU AGREE TO PAY THE DEPOSIT BEFORE RECEIVING THE KEYS______________
IF YOU HAVE A PET,
KIND OF PETS: _____________?
HABITS
DO YOU SMOKE ______________ ?
DO YOU DRINK ______________?
DO YOU WORK LATE NIGHT? ____?

Looking forward to hearing from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file incase 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 to you, please i am giving you all this based on trust and again i will like you to stick to your words, I want you to know that we are not seeing each other in person but we put everything into Gods hands,so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this....

The house is available for rent at the moment so you are free to move in as soon as you wish. A Deposit of $800 (which happens to be the security deposit) is required before moving in, Feel free to call me for more information and arrangements on how to get the keys and other necessary documents delivered to you....my number is ( +233-548-230-154 ).The house will be available for rent for a period of 4-5 years so you have a choice of deciding how long you intend staying there...

Regards and Remain Blessed.
+233-548-230-154    OR   00233548230154.
Melvin Haskin.


After Googling a segment of this e-mail, I quickly found this link, along with several like it. http://aspiringtoordinary.blogspot.com/2008/01/beware-of-west-africa-house-for-rent.html


Sigh. It sounded so great, too. Oh well. Off to yoga!