Craigslist Scam Targets University Renters

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A Craigslist scam is targeting renters near the University of Memphis area. It's been called the "West Africa house scam" and is designed to siphon personal information from people looking to rent property.

The sign in front of Brad and Tara Measells' house in the East Buntyn neighborhood said it's for sale, but recently people have been showing up at their door asking about renting it. The first woman came Wednesday afternoon.

Homeowner Brad Measells said, "I thought she was confused, I told her it was for sale, we hadn't considered renting and I referred her to our realtor."

An hour later, someone else came to their door asking about renting. Measells said, "She told me it was posted on Craigslist."

The woman showed them an email she received after requesting more information about the house. The English was broken, and very choppy in parts.

The scammer explained in the e-mail that he had to suddenly move to West Africa after winning an oil contract. He said she could only drive by the house, but it could be hers if she filled out a questionnaire, including her date of birth, address and phone number.

Measells said, "Looks like he's trying to collect information about people for identity theft I assume."

Measells said they recently listed an open house on Craigslist and thinks that's where the scammer got their information. "Everything about our house is on there, just like our listing, they copied it and listed it for rent for $800."

Not only did the scammer have pictures of the Measells house on Craigslist they set up a Yahoo email account in Brad's name. "That's troubling, my name is out there associated with this and they're advertising it as a vacant house when we still live here- that's kind of scary."

The Measells contacted Craigslist and it appears the ad has been taken off.
Craigslist does have a disclaimer at the top of each listing, warning potential renters to be cautious of a landlord or owner who's out of the country or can't meet in person.

For more on Craigslist's scam policy, visit www.craigslist.org/about/scams .

Law enforcement also says:

• If the only contact information is an email, you should consider that a red flag.
• If the grammar used in the reply email is terrible, it may show that the person posting it is from outside of the country.
• If you cannot see a property in person, including the inside, do not pay any money.
• If the price is ridiculously low, it may be a scam.
• Never send money through a wire transfer.