The Sponsor Rental Scam
September 25, 2008 at 5:21 pm | Posted in Known Rental Scammers, Rental Scams | 15 CommentsWe received a letter from a reader notifying us of a scammer who said the have a sponsor. This is how the scam works.
- Scammer contacts home owner
- Scammer says they will be living in the states for 2 years and that a large company is sponsoring them
- Scammer send Fake Cashiers check for a large sum of money.
- Scammer asks if home owner can send the remaining money to their sponsor via a wire
- Fake cashiers check is not noticed as fake and the home owner wires remaing funds to scammer
The reader contacted this individual and below is the conversation.
Subject: Re: $1295 / 3br – Adorable Single Family Home (Williamstown) (map)
To: natal85_blige88@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Friday, 19 September, 2008, 2:42 PM
From: natal blige <natal85_blige88@yahoo.co.uk>
Good day,
I really appreciate your response and details provided, my sponsors (Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals) have agreed on the monthly fees to be paid for the next two years on my behalf. Therefore, they agreed to pay up front the amount of ($3238 PAYMENT FOR THE FIRST MONTH RENT PLUS DEPOSIT STARTING FROM MY MOVING IN DATE WHICH WILL BE ON THE 4TH OF OCTOBER); also since I will be staying for two years, the company has agreed to pay in a monthly installation. Furthermore, I would like you to know a US Cashier che que will be issued to you in an excess amount by my sponsors for the first month rent, security deposit and my travelling expenses; the excess amount will be sent to me immediately as soon as you receive payment from my sponsors.
However, the information below is required from you by my sponsors to have payment sent to you immediately in order for you to hold down this property until I arrive;
— On Tue, 16/9/08, wrote:
Subject: Re: $1295 / 3br – Adorable Single Family Home (Williamstown) (map)
To: natal85_blige88@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tuesday, 16 September, 2008, 3:03 PM
From: natal blige <natal85_blige88@yahoo.co.uk>
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I also received the same message from a Harry Button harry_button88@yahoo.co.uk weaht do i do with this> anything? I have never been involved in a SCAM!!
Comment by Deana— November 25, 2008 #
Here is one I just got, eerily similar to the above case:
Good day,
I really appreciate your response and details provided, my sponsors (Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals) have agreed on the monthly fees to be paid for the next two years on my behalf. Therefore, they agreed to pay up front the amount of ($750 PAYMENT FOR THE FIRST MONTH RENT PLUS $750 DEPOSIT STARTING FROM MY MOVING IN DATE WHICH WILL BE ON THE 28TH OF DECEMBER); also since I will be staying for two years, the company has agreed to pay in a monthly installation. Furthermore, I would like you to know a US Cashier cheque will be issued to you in an excess amount by my sponsors for the first month rent, security deposit and my travelling expenses. (Please see attached note) ; the excess amount will be sent to me immediately as soon as you receive payment from my sponsors.
However, the information below is required from you by my sponsors to have payment sent to you immediately in order for you to hold down this property until I arrive;
NAME ON US CASHIER CHEQUE
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS
HOME PHONE NUMBER
MOBILE NUMBER
Finally, I would like to know how peaceful is the neighbourhood and how close is the property from the bus/train station as I will be leaving on the 27th and arriving on the 28th of December. My main purpose of relocating is based on my research proposal on Pharmaceutical industries (Financial Analysis); and I was granted a part time sponsorship on my accommodation and travel expense. Also all necessary Paper work will be treated by me when I arrive and set to move into the property.
I await the details soonest for payment, so I can start my moving in plans ASAP.
Regards
Kevin Taylor
________________________________________
Comment by chuck— December 22, 2008 #
I received almost this exact email correspondence signed by a Kevin Taylor on December 23, 2008. The email address of the sender was kevin85_taylor88@live.com
I was also sent an attachment with a photo and what appeared to be a doctored sponsor letter on questionable letterhead that was not dated. However, I actually called from US to UK to speak to ELI Lilly and the person on the ‘sponsor’ letter is not in their database and the Eli Lilly address is for a Dextra Court, which is no longer occupied by Eli Lilly.
It would be nice to know how to stop this scam.
Comment by Angie— January 9, 2009 #
Exact same issue happened to me!! I also got an email correspondence signed by a Kevin Taylor on Jan 16 2008. The email address was kevin85_taylor88@yahoo.co.uk.
I was given an attachment of a photo and a letter of sponsorship from Eli Lilly. Everything is false!!
HERE IS WHAT THIS PERSON WROTE ON EMAIL:
This is the information for the transfer of the funds
1)Name…MR KEVIN TAYLOR…………………$2900
TRANSFER CHARGES……………………………$135
Address…24 WATERSIDE CLOSE
SOUTHEAST LONDON
SE28 5TK
LONDON
UNITED KINGDOM
Please,as soon as you get the transfer done , Please, give me call or email me with the following transfer information ,
MTCN TRANSFER NUMBER
SENDER’S FULL NAME & ADDRESS
AMOUNT SENT AFTER TRANSFER CHARGES IN DOLLARS AND POUNDS
Please if you do have any question you can call me directly on 011447961965327.
cheers
PLEASE BEAWARE THAT THERE ARE ALOT OF SCAMS LIKE THIS FOR RENTERS ESPECIALLY!!!
Comment by 808 state— January 28, 2009 #
I was just about to fall for this scam–Mar 2009. Thanks to this rental scam website I saw the exact same email and person.
I have friends at Eli Lilly and the FBI who I have alerted to this guy–if in fact it is a guy. Hopefully he will get caught.
Thanks again!!
Comment by Jenny Marion— March 2, 2009 #
I got this too !
Wow, this guy moves around a lot. Not a very good tenant now is he ? I wrote him back and told him that the Amtrak has not got a very good reputation and for his safety I could not rent to him. Such a pity, his grammar is excellent.
One good thing he has going for him is the little hottie in the pic he sent me with the sponsorship letter. One thing he forgot, I didnt rowe the boat over from Ireland.
Good day,
I really appreciate your response and details provided, my sponsors (Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals) have agreed on the monthly fees to be paid for the next two years on my behalf. Therefore, they agreed to pay up front the amount of ($850 PAYMENT FOR THE FIRST MONTH RENT PLUS DEPOSIT STARTING FROM MY MOVING IN DATE WHICH WILL BE ON THE 12TH OF APRIL); also since I will be staying for two years, the company has agreed to pay in a monthly installation. Furthermore, I would like you to know a US Cashier cheque will be issued to you in an excess amount by my sponsors for the first month rent, security deposit and my travelling expenses. (Please see attached note) ; the excess amount will be sent to me immediately as soon as you receive payment from my sponsors.
However, the information below is required from you by my sponsors to have payment sent to you immediately in order for you to hold down this property until I arrive;
NAME ON US CASHIER CHEQUE
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS
HOME PHONE NUMBER
MOBILE NUMBER
Finally, I would like to know how peaceful is the neighbourhood and how close is the property from the bus/train station as I will be leaving on the 11th and arriving on the 12th of April. My main purpose of relocating is based on my research proposal on Pharmaceutical industries (Financial Analysis); and I was granted a part time sponsorship on my accommodation and travel expense. Also all necessary Paper work will be treated by me when I arrive and set to move into the property.
I await the details soonest for payment, so I can start my moving in plans ASAP.
Regards
Kevin Taylor
Comment by celticseamus— April 2, 2009 #
It is unbelievable. We just about fell for this and found out it was a scam. We received the check and deposited it. Thank god we saw this before transfering the money. Our bank is taking care of it, so we are not out of any money. As everyone else has said, he was polite and everything. He preys on people who rent and we have been trying to rent our place for such a long time that I guess we didn’t realize it was too good to be true. Let’s hope that he and all the other scammers get caught!
Comment by mojave— September 16, 2009 #
I recieved the rental scam email from kevin85_taylor88@yahoo.co.uk dated April 2009 as well
Comment by Chris— April 10, 2009 #
I also just received an email from Kevin Taylor wit almost identical content.
This is pretty ridiculous… Couldn’t anyone find out who is sending this?
Comment by IM— May 6, 2009 #
bright lewis
Hello gooday, My name is Bright lawrence. I am citizen of the United Kingdom , I will be relocating for a short period of two years on a research programme to the United States . As I was reviewing rental adverts, I got particularly interested in your property, I would like you to email me pictures, and I would also like to know the exact fees to be paid monthly and the security deposit in order for me to pass information to my sponsors. Thanks for your assistance
Bright Lawrence
I received this, do these people sleep at night?
Comment by karen cannino— July 2, 2009 #
OMG i got this same exact email just today!
Good day Sir/ Madam,
My name is Kevin Taylor; I am 24 years of age and a citizen of the United Kingdom and will be relocating for a short period of two years on a research programme to the United States . As I was reviewing rental adverts, I got particularly interested in your property, I would like you to email me pictures, and I would also like to know the exact fees to be paid monthly and the security deposit in order for me to pass information to my sponsors.
Thanks for your assistance.
Cheers
I think if you continue to get these you should notify your local FBI branch and fast!!!!
Comment by Melissa— September 6, 2009 #
I also received the same scam from a Harry Button. It is identical to what some of the others reported. Below is what he wrote….
Good day,
I really appreciate your response and details provided, my sponsors (Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals) have agreed on the monthly fees to be paid for the next two years on my behalf. Therefore, they agreed to pay up front the amount of ($1990 PAYMENT FOR THE FIRST MONTH RENT PLUS $1500 DEPOSIT STARTING FROM MY MOVING IN DATE WHICH WILL BE ON THE 24TH OF MARCH); also since I will be staying for two years, the company has agreed to pay in a monthly installation. Furthermore, I would like you to know a US Cashier cheque will be issued to you in an excess amount by my sponsors for the first month rent, security deposit and my travelling expenses. (Please see attached note) ; the excess amount will be sent to me immediately as soon as you receive payment from my sponsors.
However, the information below is required from you by my sponsors to have payment sent to you immediately in order for you to hold down this property until I arrive;
NAME ON US CASHIER CHEQUE
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS
HOME PHONE NUMBER
MOBILE NUMBER
Finally, I would like to know how peaceful is the neighbourhood and how close is the property from the bus/train station as I will be leaving on the 23rd and arriving on the 24th of March. My main purpose of relocating is based on my research proposal on Pharmaceutical industries (Financial Analysis); and I was granted a part time sponsorship on my accommodation and travel expense. Also all necessary Paper work will be treated by me when I arrive and set to move into the property.
I await the details soonest for payment, so I can start my moving in plans ASAP.
Regards
Harry Button
Comment by Mindy— March 16, 2010 #
January 2012 Harry Button is still around..I had 2 responses. Also, beware of Kaylen and Lionel , also from the U.K…I knew it was too good to be true!!
Comment by Cathleen Vecchione— January 7, 2012 #
John Yearwood Feb 9
Good day Sir/ Madam, My name is John Yearwood; I am 24 years of age and a cit…
to John
Aloha John
Sorry it took so long to get back to you, I was away from my computer a for few days. The Studio unit would cost per month $1,998.00 US includes tax and the 3 bedroom would cost per month $2,798.00 US includes tax. They are both available after April 10, 2012 at this point for.
I will send you some photos, but what unit are you interested in fist. Hope it not to late to negotiate. The Security damage deposit is equal to 1 months rent.
Thank you and best regards,
J
John Yearwood john_yearwood8885@yahoo.co.uk
Feb 15 (12 days ago)
to me
Good day,
I really appreciate your response and details provided, my sponsors (Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals) have agreed on the monthly fees to be paid for the next (24 months) on my behalf. They agreed to pay up front the amount of ($1998 PAYMENT FOR THE FIRST MONTH RENT PLUS $1998 SECURITY DEPOSIT STARTING FROM MY MOVING IN DATE WHICH WILL BE ON THE 29TH OF FEBRUARY); also since I will be staying for two years, the company has agreed to pay in a monthly installation. Furthermore, I would like you to know a US Cashier cheque will be issued to you in an excess amount by my sponsors for the first month rent, security deposit and my travelling expenses. (Please see attached note).
However, the information below is required from you by my sponsors to have payment sent to you immediately in order for you to hold down this property until I arrive;
NAME ON US CASHIER CHEQUE
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS
HOME PHONE NUMBER
MOBILE NUMBER
Finally, I would like to know how peaceful is the neighbourhood and how close is the property from the bus/train station as I will be leaving on the 28th and arriving on the 29th of February. My main purpose of relocating is based on my research proposal on Pharmaceutical industries (Financial Analysis) and I was granted a part time sponsorship on my accommodation and travel expense. Also all necessary Paper work will be treated by me when I arrive and set to move into the property.
I await the details soonest for payment, so I can start my moving in plans ASAP.
Regards
2 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
Letter_of_Sponsorship_for_Mr_John_Yearwood.jpg
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to John
Aloha John
Thank you for your interest in our studio, As stated in previous email the unit is not available till April 10, 2012. The unit is about 3 mile away from the bus stop. The unit in a 3 unit building and is in a peaceful rural setting.
Would the lease be with Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals?
John Yearwood john_yearwood8885@yahoo.co.uk
Feb 24 (4 days ago)
to me
Good Morning,
Thanks for the note; the 10th of April will still be visible for me to move into the property as i will stay in an hotel for some couple of days and with friends. Please I will need you to forward me the details for payment in order for my sponsor to make financial arrangement as soon as possible and for the property to be approved.
cheers
John
From: JC
To: John Yearwood
Sent: Thursday, 16 February 2012, 14:55
Subject: Re: Apartment / Housing Rental Needed (As soon as possible)
Aloha John
Feb 26 (1 day ago)
to John
Hi John
Okay, Here is what we need if you want to rent our property, 1) Name of company and 2) contact person of who will be responsible for payment and 3) address, email and phone # of who will be responsible for payment. They will have to sign the lease. Then we will prepare a lease contract for signing and email it to them. The lease will give our details for payment.
Also a previous rental reference from you, 1) name, 2) address and 3) phone # 4) email.
Once we receive this info, and verify it we will then prepare a lease and email it to appropriate persons.
Best regards,
JC
John Yearwood john_yearwood8885@yahoo.co.uk
3:53 AM (6 hours ago)
to me
Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals
c/o Mr James Lee
Dextra Court,
Chapel Hill
Hampshire
RG21 5SY
011447529498735
Please can you email me the details for payment as the month is drawing to an end, as i will need to weigh my options.
cheers
John
Comment by JC— February 27, 2012 #
I received a similar e-mail from Robin Wells regarding her daughter Helen! Watch out for her!
Comment by Vanessa— March 21, 2012 #