NEW SCAM?? -- Rental Property -- They Pay But....

[crosis99]

I am looking to rent out my shared condo here in Canada.  I posted my AD on my local Kijiji and received the following response.  A woman who appears to be working on a cruise ship originally from Singapore is willing to pay via PayPal and then she says she will use that proof of payment for employment and immigration to Canada.  Is there any possibility of me being screwed by this?  Could this be a scam of some sort?  Again at best after receiving shared rent payment ($500/mon -- one month minimum) i would possibly provide a complete rental application or some proof of payment received.  I suppose i don't want some other individual showing up in her place tho.

I wonder if a bank eTransfer would be more secure from Claw Backs since it only involves email addresses and I have to pay attention to HTTPS url.

The email i received from the prospective tenant:

Hi Trina,

Many thanks for getting back to me again. I am very social person that respect humanity and this make it so easy for me to get along with whoever that comes my way in life. I am originally from Singapore and I will be coming to Canada from my last place of employment in Italy.I'm arriving on 10th of July and stay more than a year in Canada working. I will be transferring the rent to you through paypal and if you do not have one, kindly set up an account with them in less than 5 minutes on www.paypal.com.  I would have requested for your bank details but for the safety of you and I with giving bank details online, i prefer going through PayPal. I will be so happy to secure the room as soon as you get back to me with the paypal money request. I had attached pics of myself for you to know me. I will like to pay in advance through PayPal and my reason is that, i will be presenting the proof of my rent payment to my employer and also to the immigration at the port of entry to Canada.

Cheers
Agnes

[snowshoe]

Yes, it's possible you can be scammed.  Although PayPal can be used for Rents, etc., this would be considered under the "services" category meaning that you would not have buyer or seller protection.  Regardless of the story you're getting, it's you who is taking the risk.

[crosis99]

Snowshoe,

thanks for the response.  I contacted PP and they said the Sender has the option to choose either "Service" or "Family / Friends" when they send the money the difference being the 2.9% + 30 cent charge.  Both agents told me in either case there is protection in the sense that the Sender could file a dispute.  They said it would be best to draw up a secondary contract stating the terms (eg. the money is a deposit, non-refundable) and if the sender agrees then come a dispute this contract could greatly help in swaying PP in my favor.

Outside dispute clawback they said there was no other loss besides having the tenant now in my residence.

Your thoughts....

[sallly]

Hi I got exactly same email from somebody.

Many thanks for your response let me introduce myself. I am 25 year young nonsmoker lady coming to Australia from Singapore. I work as chef on cruise ship at the moment and I have limited time to surf the internet and also phone calls are also strictly limited due to nature of my work. I will like you to kindly calculate the total cost covering my first three months’ rent together with deposit. I will also like you to get back to me with some pic and your full home address for me to forward it to my mover to calculate the total cost of moving my stuffs to Australia. I will be waiting to read back from you.

Cheers
Jolene

I need a kind favor from you and I will be happy if you can sort it out for me. I was just about to pay when I received an email from my shipping company, my shipping agent says I will need to pay for the moving before they can ship my items, they charge me $880.00 for pickup and delivery and payment for pick up will be made to the corporate international headquarters in Italy. The payment will be made via western union money transfer. I will add $880.00 to my rent deposit making $4,981.00 in total which you will kindly help me to send the excess $880 to their corporate headquarters in Italy  I will send the funds through PayPal and email you to let you know when I am done with the transfer. The money transfer to the shipping agent can be done by visiting any post office because there is always western union agent there; I have also included $100.00 for the western union money transfer charges. I would have done it myself but I can't for some circumstances regarding my work schedule, I will appreciate your kindness regarding this. You will get a payment notification from PayPal immediately I transfer the funds.

Regards
Jolene

Please watch out people!

I asked her copy of her passort and asked her where she found me and she didn't asnwer my questions. 

🙂 Thanks for your debate. Otherwise I could have been in trouble.