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The Rinaggio apartment scam

Posted on July 9, 2008, 9:01 am, by Andrew, under Law.

I have a friend who just moved to New York who was so excited to find a room in a house in midtown Manhattan for $600 a month. The guy was traveling a lot and wouldn’t be there most of the time so she could live as a house sitter just a few blocks from Times Square.

 

She was so excited. She just couldn’t believe it was true. And guess what? It wasn’t.

 

A quick search of Google turned up dozens of examples of the same scam being pulled all over the country. Even New York Newsday wrote about it.

 

The hook was you would go by the place and if you liked it, you’d send a security deposit and get a key. Of course the key wouldn’t work (or you wouldn’t even get the key).

 

Here’s a sample of the scam.

 

My name is Johan Rinaggio. I work for a construction company before but now, am self employed. I work on my own and I love it. I traveled to Israel a bit over a year ago and had a stunningly wonderful time learned, saw and experienced so many wonderful things, I Love Music, I admire any one who plays an instrument or Sings. Presently I am now located in Fairview, North Carolina because of my business, I deal in all kind of fabrics, texiles and traditional wears, so I travelled alot and hardly stay in one place. I believe in God, life and being around other people. Iʼm passionate, affectionate, honest, caring, spontaneous, trustworthy and I also have a sense of humor too which some of it have been described by some people.

 

I am looking for a responsible roommate that will be able to take good care of my apartment and properties while i am away,the apartment is for long term and short term lease is also acceptable. Here is the address of the apt Midtown West/Theater District The Metro 301 W. 53rd Street, Manhattan NY 10019.Located between: Eighth Avenue and Ninth Avenue

The apartment is fully furnished so you don’t need to worry about furnitures or electronics. Please I want you to note that I am a kind and honest man and also I spent a lot on my property that I want to give you for rent, so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of the apartment and I would want you to treat it as your own, I would like you to keep it tidy all the time I also want you to let me have trust in you as I always stand on my word,the rental fees is $600 per month including utilities for the whole of the apartment and the damage deposit is $350. I will like you to drive by to the building at your convinient time to view the exterior of the building for you to know where the apartment is located because you will not have the opportunity to view the inside because the doors are locked and the keys are here with me in Fairview, North Carolina but if you drive by to the address and you like the exterior and environment where the apartment is located i will be happy to make an arrangement an get the keys shipped to you so that you can go and view the interior in person.

 

I await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the keys of the apartment to you,please note that i am giving you the apartment base on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words,you know that we do not see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand and i will like you to drive by and view the exterior of the building today to know the area where the building is located,so please do not let us down and God bless you more as you do this and let me know as soon as you view the exterior of the apartment so that i can email you the application form to proceed further.

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

Here is a sample of the reply:

Once again thanks for your response i really appreciate your willinness in renting my place and i promise you that you will never regret taking my place. The rental application form was well filled and I have considered you to be my new tenant.
So the total cost you to move in to the apt is $950, $600 for the rent and $350 for the security deposit which is refundable at the end of the lease if nothing is damaged in the apt. I would be sending the apt key’s and documents to you via DHL EXPRESS to the address you filled in the application form and the shipment tracking number will be emailed to you so that you can track it to know the exact time the package will be delivered to you the next day. To make things much easier for you, if you are not able to come up with the whole $950 you can send half of the money which is $475.00 and send the rest after you have received the key’s and documents, but if you think you are able to make the whole payment once and for all then you can send the whole money. am only doing this for you to know that i really would like you to be the person to occupy the apartment and also for you to know that you are going to be receiving the keys and the documents of the apt. Moerover it is also part of the the payment i will use in paying the DHL EXPRESS in shipping the package to you. I am doing this based on trust i have in you that you are going to be taking good care of the apartment. So below are the document i will be shipping to you once i have received the payment from you.
Here are the contents of the document.

1) Entrance and the rooms Keys

2)Paper/Permanent apartment form(Containing your reference details)

3)The apartment documentary file.

4)Payment Receipt.

5)Full address and description of the apartment.

So i want you to email me back to know when you will be ready to proceed with the payment so that i can email you back with the payment information where the money will be transfered using Money Gram so i will be able to receive the money and I can get the keys and documents ship out the same day so that you can receive the key’s asap and finally move in.
I await your reply ASAP.
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  • Bankole Oyebola

    I felt bad whenever I read a tread like this on the internet, basically because I believe that most of this atrocities are being committed by Nigerians which happen to be my country. how I wish that Nigerians has the mind am having? I have taking it as a

  • http://www.warriorforum.com/blogs/rayray7/8778-history-ways-avoid-nigerian-419-scam.html Ashlyn Sobie

    Thank you for the intelligent critique. Me and my neighbour were just preparing to do some research about this. I am very thankful to see such great info being shared freely out there.

  • http://www.warriorforum.com/blogs/rayray7/8778-history-ways-avoid-nigerian-419-scam.html Ashlyn Sobie

    Thank you for the intelligent critique. Me and my neighbour were just preparing to do some research about this. I am very thankful to see such great info being shared freely out there.

  • http://Kijiji.com Denise

    Thank you for your interest in my home. The home is still available for rent. I’m an Assistant Professor in the Biomolecular Structure Analysis Center at the University of Edmonton.i spent 3 years as a faculty member in the Natural Science Department. my wife just completed his Ph.D. in Biophysics and Bioengineering .In addition to her graduate training in ion channel biophysics, she comes from a physical science background, having earned a BS in Physics from Wayne State University and having spent two years at IBM Research. i just recently completed writing a book, “A Chord in Time”, my daughter is presently studying Chemistry and Biochemistry at Oviedo University.i want you to know that we have receive a lot of inquiries about our home but the reason why we are not in hurry to give it out for rent is because we have gone through stress and dishonest by our former tenant. Presently now we are here in Ontario , Canada for a region on a research and we have been given an accommodation here by our organization that is why we are giving out our home for rent which we are carefully looking for the best candidate that fit in. The rent fee includes water, heat, gas, washer, dryer, electricity and so on. There is no extra charges. We are not coming back to live in our home again, we will just come to see how you are taking care of our home for us.

    PS: I want you to know that the rent fee or the deposit is not the issue to us, the most important issue is for you to live to your responsibilities and take good care of our home just like yours. We have gone through a lot of difficulties with our former tenant whose name is Fred Sigworth , he was an irresponsible tenant to us, We did not know that he was a drunk addict and comes home late in the night and damage most of our furniture’s that is why we sent him packing from our home so that he does not sell our property at our absent that is why we are not in hurry giving out our home out to anyone because of the bad experience we already went through.

    Due to what happened to us we took the key and documents along with us here
    because PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE We are looking for a decent tenant and most important someone with a good heart and attitude. Underneath is the picture of me and my lovely daughter.

    Let me read from you soon so that i can e-mail you the address and rent application.

    Best Regard

  • http://Kijiji.com Denise

    Thank you for your interest in my home. The home is still available for rent. I’m an Assistant Professor in the Biomolecular Structure Analysis Center at the University of Edmonton.i spent 3 years as a faculty member in the Natural Science Department. my wife just completed his Ph.D. in Biophysics and Bioengineering .In addition to her graduate training in ion channel biophysics, she comes from a physical science background, having earned a BS in Physics from Wayne State University and having spent two years at IBM Research. i just recently completed writing a book, “A Chord in Time”, my daughter is presently studying Chemistry and Biochemistry at Oviedo University.i want you to know that we have receive a lot of inquiries about our home but the reason why we are not in hurry to give it out for rent is because we have gone through stress and dishonest by our former tenant. Presently now we are here in Ontario , Canada for a region on a research and we have been given an accommodation here by our organization that is why we are giving out our home for rent which we are carefully looking for the best candidate that fit in. The rent fee includes water, heat, gas, washer, dryer, electricity and so on. There is no extra charges. We are not coming back to live in our home again, we will just come to see how you are taking care of our home for us.

    PS: I want you to know that the rent fee or the deposit is not the issue to us, the most important issue is for you to live to your responsibilities and take good care of our home just like yours. We have gone through a lot of difficulties with our former tenant whose name is Fred Sigworth , he was an irresponsible tenant to us, We did not know that he was a drunk addict and comes home late in the night and damage most of our furniture’s that is why we sent him packing from our home so that he does not sell our property at our absent that is why we are not in hurry giving out our home out to anyone because of the bad experience we already went through.

    Due to what happened to us we took the key and documents along with us here
    because PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE We are looking for a decent tenant and most important someone with a good heart and attitude. Underneath is the picture of me and my lovely daughter.

    Let me read from you soon so that i can e-mail you the address and rent application.

    Best Regard

  • http://Kijiji.com Denise

    This is a scam that was sent to me today… I almost fell into it. Happened to look it up on google and found a bunch more like it.. Gave a few bits of personal info..but glad I didn’t end up sending any money!! Good thing I looked!!

    Thank you for your interest in my home. The home is still available for rent. I’m an Assistant Professor in the Biomolecular Structure Analysis Center at the University of Edmonton.i spent 3 years as a faculty member in the Natural Science Department. my wife just completed his Ph.D. in Biophysics and Bioengineering .In addition to her graduate training in ion channel biophysics, she comes from a physical science background, having earned a BS in Physics from Wayne State University and having spent two years at IBM Research. i just recently completed writing a book, “A Chord in Time”, my daughter is presently studying Chemistry and Biochemistry at Oviedo University.i want you to know that we have receive a lot of inquiries about our home but the reason why we are not in hurry to give it out for rent is because we have gone through stress and dishonest by our former tenant. Presently now we are here in Ontario , Canada for a region on a research and we have been given an accommodation here by our organization that is why we are giving out our home for rent which we are carefully looking for the best candidate that fit in. The rent fee includes water, heat, gas, washer, dryer, electricity and so on. There is no extra charges. We are not coming back to live in our home again, we will just come to see how you are taking care of our home for us.

    PS: I want you to know that the rent fee or the deposit is not the issue to us, the most important issue is for you to live to your responsibilities and take good care of our home just like yours. We have gone through a lot of difficulties with our former tenant whose name is Fred Sigworth , he was an irresponsible tenant to us, We did not know that he was a drunk addict and comes home late in the night and damage most of our furniture’s that is why we sent him packing from our home so that he does not sell our property at our absent that is why we are not in hurry giving out our home out to anyone because of the bad experience we already went through.

    Due to what happened to us we took the key and documents along with us here
    because PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE We are looking for a decent tenant and most important someone with a good heart and attitude. Underneath is the picture of me and my lovely daughter.

    Let me read from you soon so that i can e-mail you the address and rent application.

    Best Regard

  • http://Kijiji.com Denise

    This is a scam that was sent to me today… I almost fell into it. Happened to look it up on google and found a bunch more like it.. Gave a few bits of personal info..but glad I didn’t end up sending any money!! Good thing I looked!!

    Thank you for your interest in my home. The home is still available for rent. I’m an Assistant Professor in the Biomolecular Structure Analysis Center at the University of Edmonton.i spent 3 years as a faculty member in the Natural Science Department. my wife just completed his Ph.D. in Biophysics and Bioengineering .In addition to her graduate training in ion channel biophysics, she comes from a physical science background, having earned a BS in Physics from Wayne State University and having spent two years at IBM Research. i just recently completed writing a book, “A Chord in Time”, my daughter is presently studying Chemistry and Biochemistry at Oviedo University.i want you to know that we have receive a lot of inquiries about our home but the reason why we are not in hurry to give it out for rent is because we have gone through stress and dishonest by our former tenant. Presently now we are here in Ontario , Canada for a region on a research and we have been given an accommodation here by our organization that is why we are giving out our home for rent which we are carefully looking for the best candidate that fit in. The rent fee includes water, heat, gas, washer, dryer, electricity and so on. There is no extra charges. We are not coming back to live in our home again, we will just come to see how you are taking care of our home for us.

    PS: I want you to know that the rent fee or the deposit is not the issue to us, the most important issue is for you to live to your responsibilities and take good care of our home just like yours. We have gone through a lot of difficulties with our former tenant whose name is Fred Sigworth , he was an irresponsible tenant to us, We did not know that he was a drunk addict and comes home late in the night and damage most of our furniture’s that is why we sent him packing from our home so that he does not sell our property at our absent that is why we are not in hurry giving out our home out to anyone because of the bad experience we already went through.

    Due to what happened to us we took the key and documents along with us here
    because PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE We are looking for a decent tenant and most important someone with a good heart and attitude. Underneath is the picture of me and my lovely daughter.

    Let me read from you soon so that i can e-mail you the address and rent application.

    Best Regard

  • Sam

    He almost got me too. I found this website first though. The apartment he published was in Hull, Quebec (near Ottawa, Ontario). Bastard better get caught!

  • Sam

    He almost got me too. I found this website first though. The apartment he published was in Hull, Quebec (near Ottawa, Ontario). Bastard better get caught!

  • Sam

    He was using the name Ben Davis and was in London, England to set up a franchise for a family business…

    Sample of his emails:

    Samantha, I would like to receive the money monthly into my bank account and I hope there will be no problem for you to wire the money to it.

    Please i want you to note that, I am a very sincere and honest person! I am currently 45 years old and married. I have only one child. I work hard for my family. I don’t have time to play games with other person. I spent a lot on my property that I want to give you for rent, so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this apartment and want you to treat it as your own, is that taken, I want you to keep it tidy all the time so that I will be glad to see it neat when I come for a check up.

    The rent terms are simple… I will explain to you step by step how this will work:

    In order to start the transaction, I need to know your shipping information (i.e. name and address). With the information you’ll provide me, I will go at DPD Express (Dynamic Parcel Delivery) office and leave the keys and the contract in their possession and start the process.

    The shipping will be done by DPD Air Express. DPD Express is a worldwide delivery company. I use DPD many times, and find they are helpful, polite, efficient and on time. I have never had a problem, everything went smooth. DPD are the best by miles. When they say they will deliver a parcel on whatever date or time, it is delivered!

    As soon as they have all the details, they will start the transaction and notify you with all you need to know regarding it (proof of delivery, payment instruction, my account status, etc).

    Here are the contents that will be delivered to you via DPD service.

    1. Entrance and the rooms keys;
    2. Paper/permanent flat form (Containing your reference details);
    3. The flat documented file;
    4. Payment receipts;
    5. Full address and description of the apartment.

    Sincerely,
    Ben

    I think this is the best and safest way for the two of us.

    I request a safety deposit – $520.00, which will be returned at the end of the contract or they will be the payment for the first month of rent. I accept payment though DPD Service, which will ensure the funds and hold them.

    I will not receive this deposit, the payment details will be unavailable to me, i will get the payment only if you decide to rent the apartment… if you do not rent the apartment you will get the money back the same day! These details will be kept in escrow until the delivery is made and the inspection is completed.

    You will have the chance to inspect the apartment 2 days and decide either you keep it or not. If you decide to keep it, the DPD people will release me the funds, if NOT, you only have to return the keys to them, they will refund the money to you and the keys back to me, on my expense!

    If you agree with the rental conditions, we can get things started. This way I will also reserve the apartment for you and refuse other offers.

    Sincerely,
    Ben

  • Sam

    He was using the name Ben Davis and was in London, England to set up a franchise for a family business…

    Sample of his emails:

    Samantha, I would like to receive the money monthly into my bank account and I hope there will be no problem for you to wire the money to it.

    Please i want you to note that, I am a very sincere and honest person! I am currently 45 years old and married. I have only one child. I work hard for my family. I don’t have time to play games with other person. I spent a lot on my property that I want to give you for rent, so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this apartment and want you to treat it as your own, is that taken, I want you to keep it tidy all the time so that I will be glad to see it neat when I come for a check up.

    The rent terms are simple… I will explain to you step by step how this will work:

    In order to start the transaction, I need to know your shipping information (i.e. name and address). With the information you’ll provide me, I will go at DPD Express (Dynamic Parcel Delivery) office and leave the keys and the contract in their possession and start the process.

    The shipping will be done by DPD Air Express. DPD Express is a worldwide delivery company. I use DPD many times, and find they are helpful, polite, efficient and on time. I have never had a problem, everything went smooth. DPD are the best by miles. When they say they will deliver a parcel on whatever date or time, it is delivered!

    As soon as they have all the details, they will start the transaction and notify you with all you need to know regarding it (proof of delivery, payment instruction, my account status, etc).

    Here are the contents that will be delivered to you via DPD service.

    1. Entrance and the rooms keys;
    2. Paper/permanent flat form (Containing your reference details);
    3. The flat documented file;
    4. Payment receipts;
    5. Full address and description of the apartment.

    Sincerely,
    Ben

    I think this is the best and safest way for the two of us.

    I request a safety deposit – $520.00, which will be returned at the end of the contract or they will be the payment for the first month of rent. I accept payment though DPD Service, which will ensure the funds and hold them.

    I will not receive this deposit, the payment details will be unavailable to me, i will get the payment only if you decide to rent the apartment… if you do not rent the apartment you will get the money back the same day! These details will be kept in escrow until the delivery is made and the inspection is completed.

    You will have the chance to inspect the apartment 2 days and decide either you keep it or not. If you decide to keep it, the DPD people will release me the funds, if NOT, you only have to return the keys to them, they will refund the money to you and the keys back to me, on my expense!

    If you agree with the rental conditions, we can get things started. This way I will also reserve the apartment for you and refuse other offers.

    Sincerely,
    Ben

  • http://www.peter-sun-scam.com Wentworth

    The Truth Better Business Institute Peter Sun Scam

  • http://www.peter-sun-scam.com Wentworth

    The Truth Better Business Institute Peter Sun Scam

  • http://msn Akasha2087

    I work for DPD customer services, I get lots of calls from people who are waiting for there keys 2 be deliverd for an apartment they have paid money for. If you are reading this and are about 2 hand ur money over let me just say…. WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS SCAM, WE ARE A DELIVERY COMPANY THT DELIVER PEOPLES PARCELS, THERE IS NO1 AT DPD THT WILL TAKE SUMS OF MONEY FROM YOU * APART IF YOU WANT A PREMIUM DELIVERY SERVICE*, AS ALL OUR FEES ARE PAID BY THE SUPPLIERS WHO USE OUR BUSINESS, PLEASE IF YOU SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SCAM REPORT IT TO THE POLICE, AS PEOPLE ARE GETTING SCAMMED LEFT RIGHT AND CENTRE.

  • jhie

    We were almost scammed too by this Raymond Amber. He sent exactly the same email as those sent to others. He even deleted the posting in kijiji the moment we had the email communication. Jail that bastard!

  • jhie

    We were almost scammed too by this Raymond Amber. He sent exactly the same email as those sent to others. He even deleted the posting in kijiji the moment we had the email communication. Jail that bastard!

  • Novahealth Wealth

    I only wish that I had realized that there are scams like this out there. Everything seemed on the ‘up&up” and I had even talked with him in person on the phone….chatting about families and his wife, etc.

    Then came the Money Transfer from Western Union. He had told me that as long as I got a money transfer from Western Union and put it in my daughter’s name, he just wants to see that i actually have the cash available for him to ‘fly in with the key’ to make this transfer.
    Then he took the scanned transfer and cashed it in!!
    Western Union didn’t even require my daughters ID or else he faked the ID….
    Now, I am out $2500!!!
    Somebody better find this guy and get the law to deal with him….and I think I’m just the person to do it!

    FYI, I’m in Nova Scotia, Canada…..I wonder where in the world he is scamming now?????

  • Twodoes66

    Well this is Identy theif and the FBI and Police have cleared us of evrything. I never put an ad in Craig’s list and never received anything.I am a Nurse Never did anything that is ib the ad. Back in 2008 I answered a ad through email for a account for accountant for a Fabric Bussiness. the orders were sent to me and the deposit were send money order or money gram I put them in the Account book and sent the money with the order number to my employeer. Once a year I sent the books for his taxes, I went to the police after seeing things on the internet I was caught in a Scam of identney theif, The FBI and the Asheville police took all record I had as I made copies of everything and we were a Victim and was cleared of all.I am sueing Crigs List for posring these ad’s under my name without any proof of who placed them. I hope this will aleas stop this.t

  • Kristen

    Hello

    to all you people out there I was just scammed by a guy name BERT FERGUSON he scammed me and my Friend outta 6 hundred dollers he said that he was an owner of an apartment building everything was include until I was waiting for the Keys so that we could go and look at the place now we did not get no keys and i found out from other people and what they have written was the exact same thing he said to them he was talking to them and making arrangements with them when he was all ready talking with us he conned us out of our money now anyone go on KIJIJI site please look at what your looking at make sure it is real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t want you to get hurt as well as we did and if anything seems to go to be true it just might not be good to be true and make sure he does not get a hold of u to many people have fallen for it and they have been hurt me and my friend are both victums now and I think for the future were gonna go an make sure it is safe and reliable

  • kristen

    hi there I would like to discuss something yea this guy that I was dealing with his name was BERT FERGUSON he had a site on KIJIJI for a 2 bedroom Apartment Building here in Toronto Ontario and it was for 18 youge street and the price was 6 hundred dollers he told me that I could have it me and my friend could have it and that all he need was a deposit of 6 hundred dollers into company that he used was DPD UK EXPRESS PARCIEL and he told me that he would get the package ready and so on well me and my friend though well 6 hundred dollers for a 2 bedroom that is a great deal so we went on making arragements thew e-mail and what not and he got back to me and said that he was dealing with DPD UK and that there was a package that was sitting there containing the Keys and the Papers and what not and for me to send him the money and that company would ship it out to me well they told me when I told them I made the deposit of that money that my package would be delivered at my door after 4:30 pm October 16 2010 and it would have everything in it well I waited and waited still no keys no papers no nothing containing the infromation he said and nothing what the company said so then I thought well maybe he got delayed but this morning when I read APARTMENT SCAM AND WARNING RENTAL SCAM!!!! and I read it was exactly what he sent to me he was talking to people and making arrangements with them when he all ready was talking to us and he said he would refuse the others so when I read what he had done I was appaled and very upset because i sent that money to that company and now me and my friend have nothing so I just wanted to tell you I got scammed hardcore by this asshole he should be in jail for what he done but hard to find someone like that they move around to town to town it would be nice to keep in contact with someone that has had experences like this but I wanted to reply to this cause for 2 weeks I was talking to this guy and thought it was all real!

  • kristen

    hello

    hi there I just wrote to nother person about this guy and what happend to me and my friend same stuff he said his name was BERT FERGUSON and he said he was living in London England and he was 45 and married and has one child and seems to me I bumped into the same person he took my money 6 hundred dollers and he got a company involved am calling that company up and telling them what is going on but yea I wanted to let you know this guy contacted me and told me the same thing and the bad part about it he sucked me into me and my friend did not know we just were trying to find a place that is all but we know for next time

  • kristen

    Hello

    Hi there am so sorry for that to happen to you it has happend just this past week to me and my friend he stole 6 hundred dollers of our good earned money and it was the same thing that your saying he did this guy is a fucking popis windbag and asshole and he needs to be stoped

  • Becca_cherry_39

    I almost fell for this scam until I started looking up the details. They matched scams all across north america. beware of rental schemes in winnipeg as the ad was posted on winnipeg.rentshop.ca. there are rental freuds in winnipeg!!

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