International Rent/Roommate SCAMS
11/18/2008
BCI has received several calls recently, asking us to check out potential roommates or property renters from overseas. Most involve someone who says they are from western Europe, but live and work in Africa with plans to relocate to the USA.
All of these scams involve the following:
A funds transfer to you (the person in the USA with property to rent or roommate needed). The funds transfer is usually done by Western Union and involves a cashier's or certified check or money order for a far larger amount than requested by you.
A caveat that you send back to them the travel cost to get to the USA, or something to that effect.
A request that you to send money to them BEFORE their payment (check or money order) to you has cleared.
At this point the person is never heard from again and you are out all of the money sent to the person overseas.
For more info go to: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=roommate+scams&start=10&sa=N
Here is the FBI list of internet scams and how to avoid them: http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm
On the other hand, if you have a legitimate renter or roommate from overseas ask them to send you their vital info including the following:
Full name
Address
Date of Birth
Passport Number or National ID #
Name of employer
BCI can then check out their background and criminal records.