A woman who has several rental homes in Pierce County is warning potential renters of scam artists operating on Craigslist.

She would know – a scam artist posted an ad for one of her rentals, created an e-mail account using her name and is trying to get money from unknowing people to rent the house.

Gayle Folden came across the bogus Craigslist ad and decided to check out who was trying to rent her property using her name.

Here’s the reply she got:

Hello Dear,

I am happy with your reply and interest in my house. I am the owner of the house you are making enquiry of. Actually I resided in the house with my family, My Wife and my 12yrs daughter before and currently we had packed due to my transfer from my church branch and now situated in Lagos,West Africa. Currently my house is still available for rent at $1200.00 including the Utilities like Water; washer etc.I will accept deposit of $1000 + 1 month rent, total of $2200,which is also your rent for 2months. NOTE: The $1000 deposit is highly refundable.



Bedrooms: 4bdrm



Bathrooms: 2.5 baths



1 Garrage

Parking Type: Attached Garage – 3 Car

home address: Graham, WA – 98th Avenue Court East

I want to let you know that money is not the issue but what we are after is absolute care for the house. Someone that will always keep our house clean. A good Tenant that have the fear of God.



I am with the keys and the papers to the house.Pls I want you to note that, I am a kind and honest Man and also I spent a lot on my property that I want to give to you for rent.



So I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and want you to treat it as yours, I hope this is clear to you is not all about the money, but I want you to keep it tidy all the time so that I will be glad to see it neat when I come back from West Africa. You can stay in the house for as longs as 4 years. I also want you to let me have trust in you as I always stand on my word. I await your mail so that i can send you a Rental Application Form. Email me back or call our home cell phone number on +2340857534656

Thanks and may God bless you.

Folden

“I have had 3 different young military wives send me $1200 deposits from out of state for me to hold homes for them over the last few months,” the real Gayle Folden wrote. “They have small children and want to have a place ready when they get here. I think they would really send this guy money like he is asking for.”

Gayle has reported the bogus ad to the FCC.

One woman saw the ad and started investigating it. She quickly found something fishy.

After, 9 pages of weird emails and a phone call to this man yesterday obviously that is not the truth. I decided to go to the home and speak to the neighbors…little to say the least I received conflicting information about the owners, which the gentleman in Africa was claiming to be. Long story made short, I did not send this man any money western union as he said I should do ASAP. Yesterday when I spoke to this gentleman he was extremely shady, was very nervous, and surprised that I was able to contact him via the phone, then kept telling me, lets only communicate via email…I then knew this was a scam.