VacationRentalDirect.com Fraud Tips and Alerts!!

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Like most industries, vacation rentals are not exempt from scammers. They will use stolen credit cards to list properties that may not even exist. This practice is rare, but occurs with more frequency in cities like New York, Miami, etc. Below are some tips and suggestions on how to avoid becoming the victim of a scammer. For all of these suggestions, if the property owner offers up any hesitation or tries to communicate via email only, or just gives you a bad vibe, step away from the transaction. There are thousands and thousands of vacation rentals, move on to a respected vacation rental owner that fully answers all of your questions and is more than willing to offer up proof that they are the legitimate owners of the property.

1. Does the property owner have a website? Most scammers won't take the time to create a website. Additionally creating a website leaves a trail that law enforcement can track to prosecute the scammer. Just because a property owner does not have a website does not make them a scammer, but it should raise a flag to proceed with caution.
2. When possible, pay with a credit card. Your credit card company will provide you protection in the event of fraud.
3. Most smaller vacation rental owners do not accept credit cards as a form of payment. In that case most will accept a personal check. However, most scammers will only take cashiers checks. This should be a red flag. If a property owner requires a cashier check, take additional steps to assure the owner and rental are legitimate.

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Posted on Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 13:02

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Here is another red flag for fraud I encountered recently. If an alleged property owner asks you to send a check to his assistant in another state or country - don't do it! You are sending your check to someone who thinks they have a real job processing orders. They will deposit the check into their account and then wire the money to an overseas account and then your money is gone!

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Posted on Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 13:02

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Hello,

My name is Jimmy Cena,am UK citizen,but currently in Russia on a course training,am writing this email on behalf of my Russian
friends because they cannot write good English,they want you to prepare a Ten days program in your facility for them, they
are from Russia and shall be touring round your City.They re coming to your country for their first Vacation visit,they re just
two couples:
Mr & Mrs Yakov Lev{41 and 36yrs}
Mr & Mrs Olezhka Egor {44 and 38yrs}
Arrival date: 20th August 2009
Departure date :30th August 2009
Number of days: 10days
Number of Guest: 4
Confirm availability and get back to me with your rates and total cost so i can give you my card details for a deposit payment.Am waiting for your
reply,
Regards
Jimmy Cena
Reply to:jimycena@yahoo.gr

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Posted on Friday, May 08, 2009 - 08:52

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Here is another overseas scammer:

Greetings,

I inquiry for reservations for 3 couples coming for their

honey moon at your property,I would like you to get back to

me with the following.

1. The availability of the dates
2. The Daily cost for the required dates
3. The total cost for the length of their stay.
4. Do you accept credit card payment.

The arrival date for the couples will be 5th August and

they will
depart on 20th August 2009 ,Their stay will last for 15

days.

Do get back to me with the requirements as stated above.

Kindest Regards,
Dr Nelson Mugu
Tel: +4470359 23505
Mobile: +4470359 31593

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Posted on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 13:57

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Hello Dear,

I will like to make a reservation in your facility for accomodation, car rental/tour guide for my family. We shall be touring round your country, we are coming to your country for our Family vacation. (Mr. Don Looker, Mrs Cydia, Looker Jnr 25yrs, Alex 28yrs and Cathreen 29yrs)

Arrival date: 9th August 2009
Departure date :29th August 2009
Number of days: 21 days
Number of Guest: 5

Confirm availability and get back to me with your rates and total cost so that i can give you my credit card details or Cashier check for full payment of your service. If possible 5 single rooms or 2 double rooms and 1 single room.

Regards.
Mr. Don Looker
60 Ingrave Road
Chelmsford, TM17 25SG
Exssex, England.

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Posted on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 - 10:26

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Scammer posts a property using a stolen credit card with CVV. If they attempt to post a property in Miami, Miami Beach or Manhattan or NYC, these properties are flagged for human review. If the IP of the listing is in Nigeria, it never is allowed to complete. If the IP matches any previous fraud postings, the listing is not allowed to complete.

So not many scammers get by and those that do, have a very short lifespan. 95% are identified before the listing goes live.

How the scam works:

1) Scammer copies a listing from another site
2) Scammer uses very low, "too good to be true" rates
3) Scammer uses a gmail or yahoo or hotmail account
4) Scammer asks to wire deposit to a western union account
5) Scammer posts online job listings for legitimate people who think they have been hired to collect money...these people collect the Western Union Money
6) Collector wires money to scammers usually in Nigeria.

NEVER never wire money or send cashiers checks!! These frauds are very easy to identify in the US. Follow the guidelines, ask us if you have any suspicions, and you won't have any problems. 99.9% of property owners are legit, but the rising popularity of vacation rentals, coupled with the desire to get a "too good to be true" rate can result in fraud...so be careful!!!

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Posted on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 - 10:25

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Greetings,

I want to make a reservation in your facility for Six (6) newly ordained priests from Greece will be visiting your country for a seven(7)day religious program in the month of June 2009.

Arrival Date :12th June 2009
Departure Date:19th June .2009
Number of guest:6
Number of rooms:3

Kindly confirm availability and get back to me with cost so we can pay a deposit so that the rooms will be reserved for them,am waiting for your swift
response.

Regards
Mr Henrik Powell.

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Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 09:45

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Beware of this Man!!
He is a wanted US felon with outstanding arrest warrants in Cancun.
Shay Golan (alias Shy Allalouf)

This man is Palestinian-Israeli, who is residing illegally in Mexico using false ID papers. His name is Shay Golan, but also uses the alias of Shy Allalouf or combinations (such as A Golan). He travels with a skinny Palestinian-Israeli companion named Yogev Biton (or Yogi) and a large (attack trained) Rottweiler. He is likely driving a Hummer or luxury car with no plates.
He is a wanted in the US (LA and Vegas) and Canada on felony charges of fraud, grand theft auto and forgery and skipping bail (over $700k). He is also reported to have bribed his way out of a gun charge in 2008.
He will claim to be a wealthy US business owner (he is NOT). He has engaged in several rental and real estate scams in Cancun. He has terrorized two condo owners, taking false possession of their property and is known to make death threats, and material property damage. He is also advertising properties he does not own, scamming honest tourists as well as property owners.
He is considered very dangerous. Avoid him - involve your lawyer - Good luck.

For validation contact: Det. Tim Gipson at the LAPD Financial Crimes division at 213-485-2524 or 310-444-1517. Or contact US FBI in Mexico at 555-211-1723.

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Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 15:32

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I note that you have listings from the Real World Rental Company and Robin Larkins. This outfit is running a deposit scam. Google ''Robin Larkins' fraud' for further information from numerous victims.

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Posted on Friday, November 14, 2008 - 08:50

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From: Frank Wood [mailto:frankwood777@yahoo.co.uk]
Sent: Freitag, 14. November 2008 11:03
To: info@baliabc.com
Subject: VacationRentalDirect.com Rental Inquiry

Property Name: Beautiful, furnished & completely equipped 3-Room

Link to Property on VacationRentalDirect.com:
http://www.vacationrentaldirect.com/vacation-rentals/9636.htm

Name: Frank Wood
Email: frankwood777@yahoo.co.uk
Phone:

Start Date: 11/28/2008
End Date: 12/14/2008
Number of Adults: 2

Comments: GoodMorning,

I want to make a reservation for two adults(couple) starting from 28/11/2008 - 14/12/2008.However,a Certified Bank Cheque of 7,550 EURO will be sent to you,that will cover your rental services and you should keep the remaining money which will be used by the couple for their daily welfare on their arrival.So,confirm this and provide me with the followings: (1)The total costof the reservation for the 14 days starting from 28/11/2008 - 14/12/2008

(2) YOUR FULL NAME (name for cheque of 7,550 EUROS )

(3)ADDRESS ( for cheque delivery)

(4) PHONE NUMBERS.for payment to be delivered to you.


Please remember that this business requires prompt response.

I also hope there stay will be made comfortable.The clients name are below for the paper work

JET and SUSAN GARRY
12 London Rd . .Ashford.
Middx. TW15 3AAUK

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Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2008 - 14:47

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Good day,

I am PROF FEDERER MURRAGO , director of Antioch Education Abroad Antioch University,150 E. South College Street,INDIAN. Four students of our noble institution are coming for a workshop/research training in your area slated on the 7TH JULY 2009 through the 28TH of JULY 2009 (3 weeks).
Kindly get back to me with the total cost for 2 double rooms or 4 single rooms or apartments that sleeps four that can accommodate our students for that period of 3 weeks, also the institution will highly appreciate discounts if given. Furthermore in case there are no availabilty within this period do not hesitate to get back to me with the free dates.
Thanks for your anticipated cooperations.
Kind Regards.
PROF FEDERER MURRAGO (Phd,Msc,Bmed,Dip.Health Sc.),
Director,
Antioch Education Abroad
Antioch University
150 E. South College Street,
INDIAN
Emails:federermurragoagencys@yahoo.co.uk

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Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 08:48

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Here's 99.9% likely fraud that I received for my own vacation rental through my website!! Beware of Paul Melmann!

Good Day,

I am Dr. Paul Melmann, A supervisor of wildlife research institute United Kingdom. I want to make a reservation in your property for my members who shall be coming on asightseeing/excursion vacation. Please confirm these reservation in your Facility.

Details of the Reservation :
Date of arrival ; 4th November .
Date of depart; 9th November, 2008.
No of person: 6 person

Payment Type: A credit card with an authorization.

So,kindly advise availability, what you can offer and let me know the total amount involved for the whole services including taxes for 5 days, which they will spend in your property. What could be the total cost for the whole tourism? Get back to me if the dates mentioned above are free, so that we can book reservations immediately.
Thank you and have a nice day.
Best Regards
Dr. Paul M.

109-113 Queen’s Gate,
South Kensington,
London,UK, SW7 5LR..
+44-70-3-192-5170


I googled the phone number and found he also operates under William Walsh

Good Day,

Do you have accommodation of 3 rooms for 5 people coming to your country for holiday on these dates; March 4th to March 14th 2007. However, they will be 5 people and what they need is 3 rooms.

So calculate and let me know the total amount involved for the whole services including breakfast and taxes in 10 days, which they have to stay in your house. What could be the total cost for the whole services? Get back to me if the dates mentioned above are free, so that we can book reservations immediately. Thank you and have a nice day.

Kind Regards,

Williams Walsh
williams_walsh2@yahoo.co.uk
Unit D7, Watermeadows Lt Ind Liphook Rd
Lindford
GU35 0PG
England

+44,702,409,1644
447024091644
44.702.409.1644

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Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2008 - 11:03

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Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?

* FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
* FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
* Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
* Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov/)
* Non-emergency number for your local police department.

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Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 11:18

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Something about this inquiry for a rental property I had made me inquisitive so I googled the name and it came up to be wary of this person for fraud.
I am putting the inquiry he sent to you so people will know he also uses a gmail account. Obviously this Harnes Greaves is still trying to scam people. BE AWARE.

This is the 2nd posting on this individual in the fraud blog!

See his e-mail to me below...

Hello,

I saw your Ad's in www.rentwoodstock.com.I am looking forward to a
nice honeymoon vacation with my Wife and i am interested in using your
apartment...the duration will be 6 nights and I will like to know if
there would be any availability for us,date starting is July 12 ending
July 17 and departing next day.Kindly let me know the deposit and the
total amount to be made.I will also like let me know the amenities and
any other information attached to the property..

Are you the owner or just an agent?

Regards
Harnes Greaves
harnesgreaves@gmail.com

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Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 09:38

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Please find below details of a "hoax" enquiry I have received - perhaps you might want to warn fellow members.

Regards

Simon


Hi ,
Thanks for your prompt response less i forget when I was returning to active duty, I left instructions and a certified cashier Cheque which I think contains a figure for the total of which your bill came up to and more money, which I will love you to turn over to a travel agent, who will make arrangements for Flight tickets, car hire, a guide and other services for the couple.

On receipt of the cheque payment you will deduct your rental fees and send the balance to an agent who will arrange for the other things I desire like tickets and all. As I write the agent is supposed to contact me through e-mail to assert his ability to take me up on the offer of logistics for the couple.

If its ok? let me know I will instruct the cheque to be sent to you by overnight mail. I intended the cheque to be made use of in another arrangement for them on a trip to Hawaii but for less number of days, but since they are off their jobs they can spend more time together I think. Hence the 14 days away I want to give them instead. I can sign rental agreement papers online and attach via email anyway if any need be.

The guests names are Lisa and frank Mahone. I think the information given here so far is sufficient.
So,confirm this and provide me with the followings:

(1) YOUR FULL NAME (name on cheque)..............
(2)ADDRESS (for cheque delivery)...............
(3) PHONE NUMBERS.............,

for payment to be delivered to you.
Please remember that this business requires prompt response.
I also hope there stay will be made comfortable.
Regards,

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Posted on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 11:31

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Has anyone reported hearing from harnesgreaves@yahoo.com inquiring about a rental? Here's his email:

'Hello

I have discussed this with my Wife and we have decided to use the private apartment and as for the cost, we are alright with it. My Wife's employers will be the one responsible for all the expenses as a wedding gift and they have promised to send you a certified cheque as soon as you have penned these dates down for us and also am pretty sure i will have a nice tour with my wife. Kindly email me your full name, address, home and cell phone number so that the payment can be mailed out to you soon.get back to me with
Total amount of rentage....$
Deposit.....$


Waiting to read from you.

Regards
Harnes'

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Posted on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 21:53

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There are a number of things that consumers can do in order to check out properties in advance. States regulate tourism and lodging vigorously. All people offering time shares and most people offering vacation rentals must be licensed by the state. Therefore, the first thing a consumer should do is to check out the state website for the agency that licenses vacation rentals and/or timeshares (in this case, Florida Division of Business and Professional Regulation) to see (a) if the person is licensed and (b) if there are any complaints against the licensee. The consumer can also do a simple Google search. The consumer can also call the local Chamber of Commerce and/or lodging association. The consumer could also check the county website. Many counties (including ours) have websites listing Code Enforcement actions against landlords, so potential renters can check the owners and properties out in advance. Consumers can also increase their chances of getting a valid property by going through a licensed realtor (if the property doesn’t work out, a person with a license on the line is more likely to make things right).

If the consumer believes that a criminal violation has occurred, the consumer should contact local Sheriff’s office or police department, and possibly state or federal authorities. (In the case of state authorities, it would be best to contact any state agency with oversight over the lodging or timeshare industries.) If the consumer believes that a civil violation has occurred, he or she should contact an attorney immediately.

Admin: I never thought of the state regulating vacation rentals, I will have to research some sites that might list code violations, etc.

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Posted on Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 15:35

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I have on my review a yooung man who i suspected to be a nigerian.He sent me fake cheques and ran my cashier into trouble and now he went to my page review to spam me again calling me a fraudster.kindly look into this for me..

Note from admin: This is a funny one, this is a fraud report from a Nigerian reporting a bad review on his scam listing. You can always tell, they can't spell for the life of them.

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Posted on Saturday, March 08, 2008 - 21:37

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Greetings,

I inquiry for reservations for 3 couples coming for their honey moon at your property,I would like you to get back to me with the following.

1. The availability of the dates
2. The Daily cost for the required dates
3. The total cost for the length of their stay.
4. Do you accept credit card payment.

The arrival date for the couples will be 5th May and they will
depart on 20th May 2008 ,Their stay will last for 15 days.

Do get back to me with the requirements as stated above.

Kindest Regards,
Dr William Nelson

Tel: +44 70457 77406
Mobile: +44 70457 69921

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Posted on Saturday, March 08, 2008 - 20:56

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Folks, I had a renter call me today saying that he was scammed when he sent $1700 for a condo in Miami that appeared on this site. That listing has since been removed. However, money should never, ever be sent via western union...there is simply no protection for you as a renter. And never ever send it to Nigeria. The renter admitted he doesn't know what he was thinking..but still it happened and he's out $1700.

Here is a copy of the email corresponded that the scammer used. Notice that the scammer has poor grammar, spelling, etc..

If it sounds too good to be true folks, it probably is...the Nigerians almost always stick to the big cities like NYC and Miami Beach, they use stolen credit cards to add properties and while we catch 99% of them, this listing has been up for 10 days...

be careful!!!

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I am so sorry about the mistake on my side.I felt i already sent you the signed copied of my part.Am really sorry about this.I was worked out and have been in the office doing a lot to get things work out for the next quater.Am really sorry about this.However I have endorsed it.
You are to send the money to my PA in Nigeria.That would enable him to send the keys and other documents via fedex(Express and also insured it for safety reasons)

Name: Adepitan Bero
Test question: what for?
Answer : Keys
Contact Address: 7 Adeola odekun
City: Victoria Island
state: Lagos
zip code: 23401
Country: Nigeria

regards,
Nimi

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Posted on Friday, March 07, 2008 - 21:24

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My daughter inquired about this property in Long Key, FL for spring break rental for her and her friends. She was actively pursued by the agent 'Steve' (no last name given) in December 2007, signed a contract and sent a deposit on 1/4/2008. It was cashed. Later 'Steve' emailed her that the rental was canceled. No mention of refund. She offered to increase the deposit. He agreed in writing. Then on 3/3/08 he wrote again canceling; again, no mention of refunding her deposit. Phone number message is 'this mailbox is full.' The other fraud report on these people (http://www.vacationrentaldirect.com/fraudreport.asp) almost exactly parallels our experience with them. We have requested assistance from the Florida Attorney General in getting our deposit back, or at the very least investigate what appears to be a continuing scam.

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