I received a lead from Trulia about three days ago. I followed up with the lead three times...and was pleased when I got a response back. The response was a bit much...too much information. I thought this might be a scam, but wasn't sure of the angle. I googled the guys name, and up popped this SCAM ALERT, which answered my questions and saved me some time and energy...not to mention frustration. So, here is the letter I received, should any of you get the same thing, you can just trash it!
Here is the leads response:
Dear Jane,
Please pardon me for my little delay in reaching you. I must thank you for your response. I am Mr. Wu Qian a Japan origin. I need a property urgently. I am a very busy man, but let me just tell you how I want the house and conclude the deal in a short time frame. I need a 4 bed room single family home to buy, in gated community in a secure area in your city with a garage and 2 bath with or without swimming pool; price should be between $400,000 to $600,000 please send me some listings or MLS you can reach me at Tel: +81-3388-73121 also my Canada representative is Edward Brown Tel: 416-824-1768.
If you can be fast about getting this house, I will appreciate as this will be my retirement home and it will be a cash buy. I will want you to send me the MLS listing and a contract form to sign.
1. I will want to close on 23rd July, 2010
2. I want to put down $5,000.00 Earnest money + $150,000.00 down payment towards home.
3. I want to put contingency on inspection on the contract.
My legal name is Mr. Wu Qian of 45685 Patten Ave. Chilliwack B.C., V2P 1S3 Canada and I am single, I will not be in Canada before the closing date to wire the funds to an attorney, so I will advice you to send me an attorney information for a check to be drawn to give enough time for check clearance since I wont be in Canada to wire funds for closing. Please forward a purchase contract agreement to me in docusign format, docusign format is an electronic way of signing document. My Canadian Rep Mr. Edward Brown Esq., will Issue payment in US Funds for the earnest money and the down payment for the property payable to your attorney, the check will be delivered to your attorney. My Rep Mr. Edward Brown Esq. can be reached at: 1-416-824-1768, I strongly advice that I need an attorney to represent my interest in this transaction, my lawyer can pay to seller or title company so therefore I would like to deposit all payment with the lawyer.
Please I need the following information from your attorney immediately at my own expense:
Law Firm Name...................................................
Law Firm Address.......................................................
Law Firm Telephone......................................................
Lawyer's Name...........................................................
Regards,
Mr. Wu Qian
Jane Francis Cross 704-608-0228
Broker/Owner Homes by Cross
Serving Charlotte NC Real Estate , Charlotte Luxury Homes and Relocation Needs since 1994.
A full service brokerage covering South Charlotte real estate, Ardrey, Active Age, Ballantyne, Fort Mill, Golf Course Communities, Huntersville, Indian Land, Indian Trail, Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, Marvin, Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, Stallings, Uptown Charlotte, Waxhaw, Weddington, Wesley Chapel homes for sale.MLS Home Search
Thanks for the post. I don't understand the purpose or motivation from people who initiate this type of scam. I simply can't relate.
Wow! A scam on Trulia? Who'd a thunk it? Thanks for the heads up on this bad actor.
Joe,
Per Mike Payne of the Scam Alert post from Sarasota Realtors:
'Their motive is two-fold:
1. They want to exploit some careless escrow agents who don’t clear funds before issuing refund when scammer cancels contract. I was surprised to hear that some closing agents throughout the US will refund earnest money BEFORE it’s cleared the bank. These scammers’ MO (as I understand) is to open escrow in enough places throughout the US that one careless closing agent will REFUND their earnest money before discovering the cashier’s check is a FAKE. In my area, escrow agents require WIRE TRANSFERS – no cashier’s checks, especially from out of state or out of country buyers. No wire, no escrow.
2. They’re “phishing” for as much private information as they can get.'
Pat, that's right, plus once Trulia was made aware of the situation, they chose not to broadcast the info to their members...hey, thanks, Trulia. Glad we send you money monthly.
Oh brother....we see it all don't we???
Deborah,
Yes we do. I am sorry I wasted the paper to print the lead...and glad I followed my instincts.
Yes there are several variations of this scam that include teh origina a S. African buyer, then came teh Japanese buyer and now there is even a candian buyer. There is aslo a rental scam going on. It is not just on Trulia but on several website sthat they can find agents to try to take advantage of.
I have been updating my blog constantly to make people aware.
http://www.trulia.com/blog/scott_godzyk/2010/05/scam_alert
Scott, That's very good. Hard to keep the weeds from growing!
Wow thanks for letting us know about this Jane. I had no idea about the 'whys' of this activiity. These crazies are always trying to scam somebody.
Hey Anna Banana! Great new photo! Scammers, spammers!
Jane,
We've gotten similar message from supposed investors in China...
Cherise, The hot pursuit of an Internet buyer:)
Another one today from Trulia...also a scam...very busy on Trulia.
I am Dr. Hayabusa Li from Hong Kong. I am relocating to the United States with my family in Three (3) Months and i am interested in purchasing your advertised house.Please get back to me with all informations and security cost deposit along with the present state of the house.
I will appreciate your urgent response to this mail.
Thank You,
Dr. Hayabusa Li
hayabusa.li@yahoo.co.uk
Jane, Seems like a new scam everyday...I got a similar one recently and responded. "I understand your urgency - please forward the good faith money of $50,000 prior to arrival. I will forward you the listings once I have secured your payment ...respectfully submitted" No response who would have guessed?
Steve, I will have to steal your method to the madness. Very fun!
I received a similar email request last night -- only in this case the supposed Buyer's name was "Tanaka" (also supposedly from Trulia). Very similar details (from Japan; attorney in Canada, etc.).
Marilyn, It looks like they are all on the loose out there.
Getting anything that specific would certainly send up the red flags. How sad that the current state of our economy has so many people trying to scam the system this way.
seems like easy money for these "scammers"
Remember "Commissions don't fall from Heaven"
I'm glad you knew it was a scam and are putting it out there for others to see. It is such a crime and a scare to see that there are so many scammers out there in all sorts of fields. I wish more was being done to catch them!
Jenny, True, but there is that moment of wishful thinking...
Peter, Isn't all money in real estate easy?
Ellen, It'd be great for everyone to know the scam on sight, and just ignore it.