A warning about a scam (Air BnB "Property Management")

[Andrea1056]

So I just figured out this person "[Personal information hidden]" was trying to scam me and I want to take this chance to warn others in case they try to do it again. I'm not even honestly sure how they found me, perhaps craigslist or perhaps I had contacted them on [Link hidden].

Here is how the first email read:

"Hello,

The apartment at REDACTED San Diego, CA is still available.
Everything is just like in the pictures fully equipped with all the
appliances you need, very clean and well kept. The apartment can be
rented furnished or if you want you can use your furniture and deposit
mine in the storage unit. I work as civil engineer and the company I
work for has developed projects all around the world. They moved me to
the United Kingdom department because they have a new project there.
The apartment is vacant so you can move-in anytime you want.

The rent of 800$/month is for the whole apartment and includes all the
utilities: heat, water, electricity, parking, laundry in-suite, washer
and dryer also included, cable and internet. You will have full access
to all building amenities. Just in case repairs are needed there I
will cover the costs no worries. The price I'm asking is below the
market because I want to find a responsible tenant to take good care
of the place.

I would like to know how many people will live in the apartment and
also which rental contract do you prefer to start with - 6 months or 1
year with option of renewal. The monthly payments can be wired to my
Bank Account or we can setup a payment method that is suitable for
both of us.

I'm the owner of the apartment, it's already paid in full and no
mortgage on it. Schools and groceries near-by. You have everything you
need near-by because it's one of the best neighborhood. Pets are
allowed. You'll love it for sure!

I need to know if you are really interested in the place so we can
discuss further.

Thank you and look forward hearing from you!
[Host]

PS: I attached you all the pictures that I have with the apartment (as
you can see everything is in absolutely perfect condition)."

<<I did a little more research and the pictures he sent didn't match any of the floor plans of the building at the address he sent. The pictures also didn't show any washer/dryer, which was a minor detail but still.>>

He also sent this, furthermore, when I responded:

"Hello,

Like I said in my previous email, the company I work for moved me to United Kingdom, and unfortunately there is a problem showing you the apartment, because I already left. The reason I haven't managed to rent the apartment before I had to leave for United Kingdom is that someone said that will rent the apartment and haven't managed to keep the promise. I waited for him, but unfortunately he didn't managed to get the money on time, so the transaction failed and I had to leave before managing to rent it. Obviously this brought me huge inconvenience. So I can tell that I have a bitter experience making reservation, it's the first time I'm renting an apartment so I prefer using an worldwide property management company.

The company I am talking about is called AirBnb (www.airbnb.com) their website is main focused on short term rentals, but they also have an new service for long term rentals. I used this company last month when I rented my apartment in London, United Kingdom, and I can tell you that it was an great experience and the only way I will proceed renting my apartment is by using them.

We use this company to protect the both of us. They will provide assistance in handling the payment and delivery of the rental package (keys and paperwork).

Using AirBnb involves three parties: me as owner, you as a potential tenant and AirBnb as a responsible third party authorized to handle this transaction. AirBnb works the same way as the escrow account on which you place the deposit when you rent an apartment, except that instead of a bank, we use AirBnb. Of course, nobody can take that money until you will sign the lease agreement. With this procedure you will be able to check the apartment before I receive the payment.

Like I said before I used them to rent my apartment in London and everything was perfect they are really professional and they have great services.

My phone number is REDACTED. You can call me or e-mail anytime you wish and I will respond ASAP.

Let me know if you are interested so I can provide with all the steps of this transaction. You need to know everything about this process before we get this started.

Thank you and hope to hear from you soon!
[Host]

He attached a passport photo.

Again I'm not sure how he found me exactly so I don't think I can contact any website posting about this scammer so I'm hoping maybe this will help someone else someday, as other people have posted their experiences that were almost word-for-word what mine is!

[Sara6971]

I receive this email too for an apartment in Washington DC omg! I find the property in Apartments.com and they send the payments instructions from this email: 

Airbnb Inc. <airbnb@homes-management.com> with the subject "TRANSACTION NUMBER" saying Mr. Christian Ludwig Reuter is the owner and sending a QR code for using in a bitcoin ATM. They tell you a full story that he is in UK and he send you a picture of his passport and pictures of him with his family.     BE AWARE!

[Sara6971]

This is the passport 

 **[Sensitive information removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines]

[Bijou6]

Same thing happened. Because of my suspicions I looked and found the same email sent to others in different locations, with the same memo. 

----

" Hello,

Thank you for your interest in my apartment, it is still available. I
will try to give you as many details as I can regarding the apartment
in the following email.

Everything is just like in the pictures, fully equipped with
all the appliances you need, very clean and well kept. The apartment
can be rented furnished or if you want you can use your furniture and
deposit mine in the storage unit. I work as an civil engineer and the
company I work for has developed projects all around the world. Now, I
have received a very good offer from them to move to the United
Kingdom department, an offer that I have accepted.

The apartment is vacant so you can move-in anytime you want, also my
contract in the UK is for the next 6 years, so for this period, I will not
return 100%.

The rent of 1000$/month is for the whole apartment and includes all
the utilities: heat, water, electricity, parking, laundry in-suite,
washer and dryer also included, cable and internet. You will have full
access to all building amenities. Just in case repairs are needed
there, I will cover the costs, so no worries. The price I'm asking is
below the market because I want to find a responsible tenant to take
good care of the place.

I'm the owner of the apartment, it's already paid in full and there is
no mortgage on it. You have everything you need near-by (public
transportation, schools, groceries etc.). Also I love pets, so if you
have any pets, I won't have any problem, pets are allowed. Honestly
from my point of view I'm sure that You'll love it for sure and rent it
on the spot.

Few questions:
  - I would like to know how many people will live in the apartment?
  - Any pets?
  - How long do you intend to rent the apartment for?

Please let me know if you are really interested in the place so we can
discuss further.

Thank you and look forward to hearing from you!
Chris

PS: I attached all the pictures that I have with the apartment (as
you can see everything is in absolutely perfect condition).
PS 2: Also, I have attached a few pictures with me, so you can put
a face to the name.

--- 

The passport picture was also sent like previous complaints have been made. **

Hoping others will catch on and won't be scammed!

**[Sensitive information removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines]

[Tessa155]

I’ve just experienced the same thing. Also fking “Chris Jurgen Linden”. Unfortunately for them, their stupidity kills themselves. They asked me if I have $2000 to deposit, so that they can start the process. Lol. I’ve never heard any types of stupid questions like that from my previous landlords

[Skyler27]

I just had the same thing happen! Thank you for posting you saved my boooty lol. 

[Humble2]

I have decided to reply to him with this. 

I would love to, but I must warn you that Airbnb has banned me from all future transactions from their website due to my low ratings. (I was known for some parties back in the day. I would love to continue, but it seems that you are deadset on using Airbnb, when that service will no longer host me. Good luck to you, I really wish it would have worked out. If you have a change of mind let me know.

I just got this from: Chris J; rettig@pernix-group.com

Hello,

The company I work for moved me to the United Kingdom, and unfortunately there is a problem showing you the apartment because I have already left. I haven't managed to rent the apartment before leaving for the United Kingdom because someone said I would rent the apartment and haven't managed to keep the promise. I waited for him, but unfortunately, he could not get the money in time, so the transaction failed, and I had to leave before renting it. Obviously, this experience has brought me huge inconveniences and left me with a bitter taste, so I prefer to use a worldwide property management company.

The company I am talking about is called Airbnb (www.airbnb. com) their website is mainly focused on short term rentals, but they also have a NEW service for long term rentals. I used this service last month when I rented my apartment in London, United Kingdom. I can tell you that it was a great experience and the only way I will proceed renting my apartment is by using Airbnb. I think that you have already heard of them, they are well known globally, also they are a company listed at the stock market that values billions in revenue each year. Look at their website as a reference, but please know that you will NOT find my apartment there. I need to initiate the transaction before anything. 

Using Airbnb involves three parties: me as the owner, you as a potential tenant, and Airbnb as a responsible third party authorized to handle this transaction. Airbnb will handle everything, from paperwork (official documentation) to shipment. Airbnb works the same way as the escrow account on which you place the deposit when you rent an apartment, except that instead of a bank, we use Airbnb. Of course, nobody can take that money until you inspect the condo and sign the lease agreement.

I understand that this is not a conventional way to rent a place. Still, please keep in mind that the "reward" for following the Airbnb transaction is a lower monthly rent. Also, I will pay for all the fees that Airbnb will request for using their services. Please note that the Airbnb services are necessary only until you inspect the apartment and sign the lease agreement. After that, you can deposit the monthly payments directly to my bank account or set up a suitable payment method for both of us.

My phone number is +447418355899 (UK phone number), please keep in mind that there is a big time difference between us. I am new at work, and I try to avoid speaking on the phone; if I cannot respond, I will do my best to call you asap.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE STILL INTERESTED IN THE PROCESS, so I can provide all the detailed steps of the transaction (I am sure that many of the questions you have now, will be answered after I will send you the steps). 

Thank you and hope to hear from you soon!

Chris

PS: Sorry for the long emails, but I need to explain the situation as best as possibl

[Emmanuel988]

This same person tried to scam my friend and almost got away with it. They send her the exact same emails and responses that they send to everyone else. This happen with an apartment in NYC. Please be aware that this Chris guy is still out there trying to scam people. 

[Sumanta0]

I was just about to start the transaction. I'm so grateful to have found this post in time. Almost word to word match.