Professor "David Baker" is Name Being Used by Scammers

Another British Professor needs a room -- he's fake! Please, folks, question the validity of any email you receive from a "professor" who can only muster a 5th grade mastery of grammar and punctuation:

I just received this from an ad that I placed on Craigslist. It sounds a lot like the ones you have posted here. Thought you might want to add it to your site.


Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:20:40 +0100
Subject: APARTMENT NEEDED FOR RENT/LEASE ASAP..
From: tinabaker10@gmail.com
Hello,
Good day,i am interested in your advert that you placed on craigslist.com,i have gone through the advert and i am interested in it , 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,and i will be willing to offer you 2 months rent plus the security deposit in order to secure this unit prior to our arrival.
What is the electricity/utility cost would be ??,Could you please let me know all the unit amenities including the measurement? I will like to have this unit myself.You can send me the application lease for me to  review.Probably i will eventually have it fill out and sign physically in person on my arrival.

Are you the owner of the apartment ? You can reach me on my cell phone +447031914059 ..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,David Baker
Phone:+447031914059*

Fake Picture of "Angela" Offered by Scammer

This picture is being used by scammers to gain bona fides with unsuspecting Craigslist advertisers who are seeking roommates. The scammers are assigning this girl the name "Angela." Welcome to the age of the Internet.

A reader passed me this correspondence between her and an "ANGELA" with no last name, of British origination.

It's interesting to me how a lot of scammers take on British identities. It's as though the Nigerians think that all the bad English grammar in their email would be acceptable to an American if they thought it was originating from a Brit! Ha!

I saw your site, this is my first time looking for a roomate....more difficult than I thought. Anyway, I thought this looked a little suspicious, well I found all of the girl's "background" information to be basically the same as a roomate scammer online. Anyway, here is the information. Thanks for having sites like yours, hopefully i will be able to find a real roomate soon :)

From: angypan01@live.com
Subject: RE: INTERESTED IN RENTING/SHARING ROOM
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 22:22:18 +0000
Thanks for the cordial response . I am quite comfortable with the available rental and living environment. Hope we can get along together though I know it's kinda hard expressing oneself via email, but I'll put my pride in the gutters and try to be as explicit as possible. I have plans moving in by 10th of November but won't mind if rent start counting sooner. About me ...I am half Brit from dad and half Asian from mum, a science teacher, mostly spend my time in the laboratory experimenting, divorced female of 31yrs, I am educated(undergraduate and post graduate degree), a good christian,very low key and relaxed to live with. I DON'T smoke nor drink and I don't mind if flat mates do. Presently staying at 12 Allenby Rd Greenwich, London SE28 0BN, UK.
I prefer cleanliness than any other traits, I'm honest, responsible, and hardworking while I dislike lazy, messy and uncaring people. I love pets so much though I don't have one, am a quiet and easy going person to live with. I always love to go on a date but seldom party. I swim for fun and sometimes play tennis, also I enjoy snowboarding. I must confess that I am comfortable with the price. I'll like to secure the place down pending my arrival.. I will also be shipping my things down to the States such as My Toyota Avalon (XLX 2009)which I've been using for over 6 months now, and some personal effects. Don't worry am not bringing in furniture's as I will easily purchase upon arrive. Moreover, let me know how I can go about securing the place down and filling any necessary application before my arrival as I'll be busy this month preparing to come over as soon as the room is available and payment is made.
To assure you that I am as good of a lady as email will allow one to portray, I would offer my willingness to assist you with any information you may need as regards to me. I am actually a coffee drinker addict:), I hope you enjoy also. I forwarded our email conversations to my Uncle he seems okay with you, he agreed to make total payment for the rent fee including shipping of my Car with personal effects, he will be mailing out payment to you in United States Certified Money Order on his business trip abroad(US) to hold the room for me before my arrival. This will show seriousness on my part for the room so you won't rent it to someone else.
Should you agree to receive payment via Certified Money Order in US dollars, kindly advise me of your full name ,contact address (either work or home address depends on where you assure to receive it in person )and contact telephone #

For references, kindly contact below:
Former landlord :Kristin Adams(kristinadams76@hotmail.com)
Roommate:Richard Walters(richiewalters1@gmail.com)
Right now I have thought of it and understood that moving to the US will not only help boost my career but also improve my personal life. I hope you will finally consider renting to me, know well that your rules and terms would be strictly adhered to. I have been introduced to different landlords and room owners but they don't seem easy to get along with, I hope we can get along well as I wait to read from you soon via email.
Sorry for the email novel. I hope it isn't a lot to read and I apologize for coming on strong, am just looking for a reliable place when I move down. I look forward to hearing positive from you again. Stay blessed.
Thanks and take care,
Angela.
PS: My picture is attached for your view, let me know if you received it.

To: angypan011@gmail.com
Subject: RE: INTERESTED IN RENTING/SHARING ROOM
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:35:37 +0000
Hi Angela,
The place is still avaiable right now. So tell me about yourself. How old are you, what do you do right now, why are you moving to the area, where will you be working, when will you be moving here?
I work for a non-profit with children with Autism. I own the house, it is nothing fancy and i lots that i would like to update but it is close to everything which is nice.
Thanks

Subject: INTERESTED IN RENTING/SHARING ROOM
From: angypan011@gmail.com
Hi,
I saw your ad in craigslist.com. I'm interested in the place you have for rent, presently I reside in London,UK and would be relocating to the US soon. I know I'll need to secure the rental prior to my arrival to show seriousness on my part.
Please get back to me via email if it's still available and you consider me for the rental. In my next email I'd tell you more about myself and plans in US. Here is my apartment's land line number +44 703-596-0064, if am not around my roommate Jim would be.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Cordially,
Angela

"James Burrell" is Name Being Used By Rental Scammer

Folks, despite my not posting here in some time, the scams continue. I receive emails all the time with repetitive scam attempts. Here's a recent correspondence from the last couple of days:

I just wanted to report another Craigslist scam attempt. I noticed that most of the postings at craigslistscammer.blogspot.com are getting old, but this scammer is still active. I did receive a cashiers check from him (I am still holding it) and here is the content of his e-mail (almost identical to one I found on your blog):
==============================================================================
From: James Burrell
Thanks for the details on the Property, i am satisfied and wil
like to proceed with the renting process, i will like you to go ahead and reserve the property for me.

So i will be needing the following information so that the check for payment of the deposit of $3700 can be processed and posted to you soon.

Name:............
Address:............
Phone number(cell and land):............

I want the 12 months lease to start on the 1st November 2010, i will also want to notify you that i have in the mean time arrange with an interior decorator who will be handling the purchase of furniture, entertainment system and other appliances that i will need in the property,they will as well be in-charge of moving down my luggage down to the States.So the check of $8400 will be sent over to you which is a relocation grant by my employer, and all you need to do is deduct the deposit $3700 and you will forward the rest to the Decorators so i can have the place all prepared for my arrival. All applications and lease will be signed as soon as i arrive.

Also for familiarization I Am James Burrell,42 yrs old,a British citizen, married to a lovely lady, with a daughter (Family staying over in the UK ), I work with Apex Inc(insurance company), as a loss adjuster agent,I am a Christian, reserved in Nature, Non smoker also i don't keep pets.

I look forward to meeting you and hope to have a good relationship as a tenant with you. I await the details. you can reach me at this number +447780120962

Below is my present landlords information for reference :

David Burch
138 Oak Hill,Woodford Green IG89NY
UNITED KINGDOM

EMAIL: urchvid54div@yahoo.com

You can also call my employer at the number below to verify employment.

Mark Robinson +447563822525
Cheers

==================================================================

I have also reported this incident to the Santa Clara County District Attorney High-Technology Crimes Unit (California). I offered to give them the bogus cashiers check and my e-mail history with the scammer as evidence, but they are so busy, I doubt much will come of it. I hope that you can post this information on your blog to alert others (as you have already done in so many cases). Thank you for your great work!