| e scammers using Trulia to target real estate agents | | | | Naturally, you wonder what house hunter in his right |
| and home sellers in scam. | | | | mind offers to purchase a property sight unseen. |
| Last week, I become just another real estate agent | | | | You're right, typicallly no buyer agrees to purchase |
| caught in this scam. Fortunately, I saw the scam and | | | | sight unseen. In Florida, however, agents regularly |
| alerted the closing agent and listing agent before any | | | | work with buyers "sight unseen." |
| more time and money was lost. | | | | Further, all the while I thought I was hearing from a |
| Unfortunately, several real estate agents throughout | | | | previous customer who did purchase and whose |
| the United States were not as lucky. Within the last | | | | Asian assistant managed all communication with me. |
| few days of publishing a SCAM ALERT, I have heard | | | | Similarly, at that time I never talked with or met |
| from real estate agents who weren't as lucky. | | | | “Mr. M." |
| Worse, closing agents and house sellers have lost | | | | As crazy and unnatural as it seems to be contacted |
| money to this scam. | | | | off your website and given terse instructions to |
| This scam NEVER should cause loss of money, | | | | draw up purchase paperwork without negotiations, |
| though it has. | | | | that is what I experienced |
| This scam NEVER should cause real estate agents or | | | | previously…complete with hefty earnest |
| closing agents (including real estate attorneys) to lose | | | | money deposit provided as certified funds, not a |
| time or money, though it has. | | | | wire. |
| At this time last week, I thought I was working with | | | | Sadly, some realtors contacting me about this same |
| a previous customer named Seiichiro Matsubayashi | | | | scam perpetrated on them claimed the closing agent |
| whom I had helped purchase a home a few years | | | | and realtor never saw the scam until after: |
| ago. | | | | • SELLER actually moved out of the house |
| That's whom I *thought* had contacted me. His | | | | (at great expense). |
| name was too close to this scammer's alias...too close | | | | • CLOSING AGENT refunded the |
| I didn't confirm last name until some damage had | | | | buyer’s $155,000 when the buyer |
| occurred. | | | | consummates the scam by canceling the purchase |
| This was my big mistake. | | | | and demanding his $155,000 be refunded. Apparently, |
| I did not immediately confirm past customer’s | | | | some closing agents do NOT demand wired funds to |
| name. Though this scammer’s alias was close, | | | | open & close a file. Apparently, some closing |
| “Matsubayashi” turned out NOT to be | | | | agents do NOT require “false funds” |
| my previous customer’s name. | | | | issued as certified checks to clear before (i.e. 10 |
| As with all other realtors mixed up in this scam, all | | | | days) before issuing refund on cancellation. |
| realtors confirmed: | | | | • REAL ESTATE AGENT wastes time and |
| • Scammers mention Trulia in the initial email | | | | money (in some reported cases). |
| to them asking for help in buying a property. In my | | | | You see, real people (real estate and closing agents |
| case, there was no mention of Trulia, though I have | | | | & house sellers) are really being hurt across the |
| a Trulia account. | | | | United States by this scam targeting Real Estate |
| • Scammers use this phone number: | | | | Agents (apparently through Trulia), Closing Agents |
| 1-416-824-1768 | | | | & Home Sellers. Fortunately, I confirmed the last |
| • Scammers use these email addresses: | | | | name of my previous customer, but not quickly |
| & • Scammers ask for listings of 4 | | | | enough. In my case, I'd drawn up all paperwork, met |
| bedroom, 2 bath properties to be provided in | | | | with list agent and Seller who in turn were ecstatic to |
| $400,000-$500,000 price range. | | | | be selling at full list in a depressed Sarasota, Florida, |
| • Scammers provide bank statement with | | | | market. |
| $3.4MM, drawn off CIBC Bank in Canada as proof of | | | | PLEASE don’t allow anyone you know |
| funds. | | | | (including real estate agents, house sellers, real estate |
| • Scammers ask for closing agent’s | | | | attorneys & title agents) to fall for this real |
| full contact information in order to provide $155,000 | | | | estate SCAM targeting HOUSE SELLERS throughout |
| earnest money deposit in certified funds. If agent | | | | the United States. |
| requests wire instead of cashier’s, scammer | | | | Already, real estate agents, closing agents & |
| indicates “Mr. Matsubayashi” | | | | property sellers throughout the country are |
| temporarily is out of Canada and not able to execute | | | | challenged enough to SELL houses without having to |
| a wire through his appointed law firm, Cassells Brock. | | | | face scams. To see detailed chronology of this scam, |
| • Scammers request quick close with | | | | go now to Sarasota Real Estate SCAM Alert! For |
| REALTOR paying out of pocket for required | | | | more specific images and details regarding this scam |
| inspections – to be reimbursed later (of | | | | spreading throughout US like a virus, go to my blog |
| course). | | | | (see below). |