This blog has been active for two years now and the same scams still are out there. I guess every new Craigslist ad gives the scammers a new opportunity. Here's a note from a reader on March 25, 2010 indicating the Dinosaur Hunter persona is still an active scam:
Hello Joe
I just received an e-mail from this dinosaur Hunter and thanks to your blog I am able to avoid this scammer.It sent up some red flags, so i did a quick search on the Internet and found your blog and I could not believe what I was reading. Its great that you took the time to posted this information and I want to thank you very much. It shows the good and bad about the Internet.
I inserted a copy of the e-mail sent to me, please feel free to respond for me or let me know what you would like me to tell this son of a B.
Thanks again, Saved
Here's the notes between the Dinosaur Hunter and Saved:
Hello,
Thanks for your prompt mail towards the unit i want to rent.I'm willing to sign one year lease physically on my arrival because i will be in the states for the next one year with my wife and and during my stay i will be Trading dinosaur fossils with Some USA Museums and Research with some America Paleontologist on fossils hunting and field work.In view of my work schedule, i would want us to finalize basic arrangements. I am currently working with British hunters Imperial Dinosaur Fossil Research in Middlesex. here in London UK ,and i am willing to offer you 1month rent + the security deposit and utilities,if any to secure this unit prior to my arrival to state,.Due to the limited time that we have before our arrival,my family decide to have our own furniture to supply the home with furniture,so we will need you to provide us with the measurements of the living room and bedroom so that we can send it to the furniture company.
As regards the lease agreement, i will eventually have it filled and signed all necessary paper physically in person on my arrival. Fortunately we'll be arriving to the state by middle of April and i want the lease in my name Prof William Phillips and my wife Mrs.Kath Phillips.We can start the lease by now and we will be doing a one years lease although We can start the lease by 1st of April and we will be doing a one year lease although we will not be arriving until 10th of April,What is the rent and deposit required to be paid by me in order to secure this rental prior to our arrival ? Let us know how to move ahead as we intend to complete this deal before we move in by middle of April,we will let you know the exact date as soon as we get a booking on a flight to the states.
I will be looking forward to hear from you soon. Please call my cell phone +447031914059
From: "William Phillips" willphillps101@gmail.com
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 12:15:47 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: $1475 / 3br - 1st Fl. Apt./2 Family Home 1.5 Baths (South River/ E.Brunswick) (map) Date: 2010-03-24, 12:25PM EDT
Hello,
Good day,i am responding to your advert that you placed on craigslist.com ,after going through the advert , i am interested in it and i want to rent it for the period that it is available for.I am willing to sign a one year lease for the unit ,if it is still available i will really appreciate it if you can forward me more details about the unit and also let me know your final price for the rent and deposit.,Am a family Orientated man, No Pet {s} information,pls let me know or you can call me on my cell phone, please dial as presented for international calls . { +44 7031914059}
i will also like to know if the unit is Furnished or Unfurnished
I will appreciate a quick response to my email inquiry.
Thank you.
Prof,William Phillps
Phone:+447031914059
