It's on almost every page on Craigslist, the link with tips on AVOIDING SCAMS & FRAUD. Between that warning and the nearly half-a-million results you get when you search the phrase craigslist rental scam, we sort of figured that the rental fraud industry had been forced to figure out new and clever ways to screw us, as the old ways: EXPOSED.
That's what we get for overestimating people, we guess. Because it's still the same old shit, and it's embarrassingly incompetent.
A particularly nasty bout of insomnia had us half-assedly tooling around CL last night, where we saw a "3br - Nice,Beautiful 3 bedroom home for rent (mission district)" The entry has since been removed, damnit, or we'd republish the text for you right now. The exterior picture of the kind of crappy looking residence seemed commensurate with the low price being charged, and the entry itself didn't seem off, but we smelt something whiffy around the renter's email address, one "pastor_larry24@yahoo.com." No offense to any real Pastor Larrys out there, but, come on.
Discarding the Gift of Fear for the possibility of a real-life $50 Porsche scenario (or at least an SFist post), we stripped all identifying information (OK, so we didn't completely discard the Gift of Fear stuff) from an old email account and emailed the address in the ad.
The response we've received is pasted after the jump, and, yeah, it's def a scam. Maybe we're a little too Mamet, but we expect more of our grifters. Do people really fall for this shit? Is it too much to ask that you actually make an effort to trick us? Jesus.
from Pastor Larrysubject VERY MUCH AVAILABEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for interested in my apartment may the blessing of the lord be upon you and your family, the house is available now,My name is PASTOR LARRY the owner of the 3bedroom home and its located in 2201 35th Ave San Francisco, CA 94116, and also want you to know that i am a pastor and the name of our church is Cathlic Church it was due to my transfer that makes me my and wife and Son Kim, Matthew, & Sara to leave the house and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean at the time and the person that will rent it to take it as if it were its own. So for now, We are here in KANSAS, our new house and put all my worries off concerning the maintenance of the apartment for, since i am not residing t here for now.I left behind some Facilities and electonics which include the rent, and a DVD player, air conditioning, alarm system. The kitchen is fully equipped with all necessary cooking utensils, arefrigerator-freezer, four-hob and oven, microwave,dishwasher and washing machine, My Computer Connected with Internet Acess Also the keys to the House are right here with me, and the lease document. Which i can send to you after all necessary agreement has be accepted. Also i will like you to know that the rent charges is not really the issue ,but your absolute maintenance of my apartment is most important thing so will want you to get back to me with the Application form below
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
10How long do you want to stay in my apartment
11 Pictures of all the Occupant that will stay in my apartment
12. Reasons for moving out of your current HomeMr Brasson called me about the apartment,I told him that I can't give
him the apartment because he loves smoking,drinking and dont want him to get drunked and damaged my property destroy them and i dont want that to happpen, so If you a Pastor PASTOR LARRY came to Catholic Church OF KANSAS 2 years ago. At that time there were 8 church members. Since then the church has seen such growth that we are now looking to build a larger facility. Brother PASTOR LARRY received the Holy Ghost at age 16. He is tireless in his work to reach out to others and touch lost souls. He served many years as a Youth Pastor & other church positions. He is retired from the military & serves on our town water board. He has many friends from all walks of life who admire him for what he stands for. He have 3 children: Kim, Matthew, & Sara. They are the very proud grandparents to 7. Pictures of me and my wife &n bsp;
House pictures below
re still interested, Note that the rent is going to be $1,500 Per month No extra fees.So I personally will actually come visiting you sometimes during the year as our new tenant.Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file in case 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 of the house to you. The address of the house is 2201 35th Ave San Francisco, CA 94116,
Thanks
Reverend PASTOR LARRY
HOUSE AMENITIES IS BELOWAmenities:Appliances:Free Internet
Dishwasher
Dryer
Electric Stove
Freezer/Deep Freeze
Fridge
Microwave
Washer
Washer/Dryer Hookups
Included in Rent:
Water/Sewer
Parking:
Garage
Outside Lot
Street
Building:
Security Alarm/Door
Interior:
LOOKING FOWARDS TO HEAR FROM YOU



I'll do a drive-by later & see if it appears empty. It's just up the street from St. Obnoxious on Rivera. Definitely not the Mission district.
But yeah, really, how many would fall for that?
I've gotten a lot of great stuff from Craigslist over the years & met many really nice people, but you have to choose carefully.
On the flip side, I've rarely had luck selling, everyone flakes.
Pastor Larry could have sold his 3-bdr on 35th Ave. and bought 3 or 4 houses in KANSAS.
And if I had a nickel for every time I got drunked and damaged my property...
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/apa/895539058.html
Here it is, for rent for $2980. I presume it's the "real" listing.
Man, I hope we don't have to move anytime soon.....
The sad part is how many people actually fall for these scams.
What the hell is a 'four hob'?
And c'mon now:
"Pictures of all the Occupant that will stay in my apartment"
i almost fell for a cl scam. but in my defense, i really, really want to live above forever 21. those apartments look gorgeous. alas.
I found one of those listings awhile back that looked reasonable in the CL posting, but the email I got back was exactly the same as the one you posted for this Mission house. After a little more examination, I realized the photo in the CL posting was actually a screenshot of Google street view of the address. Rad huh?
@setinherways:
My problem is not selling. My problem is trying to decide which of the ten people who contact me to sell to. One transaction actually ended in a girl crying on my sidewalk. HORROR. Seriously awkward.
God, I love craigslist, scam ads and all.
Send an email stating how EXCITED you are to rent from a PASTOR and that you plan on living there ALONE with your four cats, and will likely use the KITCHEN for a laboratory where you will cook up some meth.
Bet he'll rent to you
No he won't.
Nobody will accept four cats....that's why we only admit to two. ; )
Damn. I planned on living here after landing that non-paying gig at Matador.