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CB Apartments Rentals Review of Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy review: Rental scam 29

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Author of the review
8:14 pm EDT
Review updated:

I was emailed by a "Thomas Hardy" on june 5 2017 at 4:59 pm after I posted a kijiji ad looking for an apartment i. Almonte ontario. He claimed he was an oncologist and that he graduated from St. Georges University of London. In the uk. He sent pictures of the unit. Didnt tell us the address asked us to write a kijiji ad for his wifes other rental in ottawa. We did reverse searches and found the pics were stolen from air bnb and another vacation tental site for condos in toronto. Of course we knew it was too good to be true for $750 a month. We found out thomas hardy was a novelist that wrote romanticism and poetry. He died in 1928 or something. The scammers email is [protected]@gmail.com. I emailed to confront him with screenshots of what I found. No communication now. His phone number that he gave me is [protected] a toronto area code.

29 comments
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MVLaing
Durham, CA
May 08, 2022 10:56 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

WARNING! At it again, apparently! Posted via Facebook Marketplace by a third party.

Email address being used has changed, and name currently being used: Benjamin Williams

Exact description, i.e. — "...fully furnished house that comes with an immaculate styled kitchen, with all facilities/utilities: dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, oven, juice machine, iron, toaster, coffee maker, microwave, vacuum cleaner, central air and stainless-steel appliances."

Basically the same story ... "It comes with a double garage and 1 storage room; Therefore, if you have your furniture, I've the option of sending all my things into the storage room, because I'll contact a removal company, no additional cost for you."

And, the kicker:

" I am currently 54 years old, doctor radiologist - I'm specialized in diagnosing and treating disease and injury. I graduated from UCL (University College London, UK) and here I met my beautiful wife. Her name is Crystal and together we have two beautiful children, (I've attached a photo of us for you to put a face to the name). We love this house, the neighborhood, everything... We thought about moving there, but our life is here, in London, UK, so we decided to rent it and keep it for our children.

A few months ago, I had a deal with somebody interested, who said he would rent it if I came there... Guess what!? I purchased a plane ticket, but no one was present at the meeting. It has brought about great loss to me (time, money, trust)... The key to any successful relationship – business or personal – is trust! People just look around and are not serious about renting... No offense!

NOTE!

I have numerous people interested in renting my house, but we've decided to move forward with your application, so if you're interested in moving forward, I have the best solution for both of us to move on to the next step very fast... You'll get the keys in less than 48 hours!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pretty sure the next email will request a wire transfer. I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid. Will be reporting to local authorities and facebook!

Be Careful Out There!

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Kennedy Roesler
, CA
Jan 04, 2020 1:25 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I just encountered the same scam with “Adam Lewis” who contacted me through kijiji or an apartment in Ottawa emailing the exact same Life story. Doctor from London net his wife there, saving the apartment for his two boys ect. Knew it was way too good to be true from the start.

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MadAsAllFuck
, US
Feb 03, 2019 8:47 am EST

I’m so mad I didn’t do a reverse search on these images sooner, something in my gut was telling me it was too good to be true but being desperate for a house I actually responded to the questions.
It wasn’t until he sent the email completely ignoring two of my questions and just jumped straight into his “resume/cover letter” [censored] of graduating in London and asking me to post for him on Gumtree that I actually reverse searched the images and found this website.
God I wish I wasn’t so desperate and actually thought about the property proposal more rationally and actually listened to my gut.

Steve Nickerson is the name he used for me, if he replies to me again I’m definitely going to question him about this. I’m so mad, mainly at myself for this.

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cmaymaria
, US
Feb 01, 2019 9:58 pm EST

I got something very similar today! From “Dave Mills” after posting on kijiji looking for an apartment.
$850/month all utilities included apartment in Sherwood Park, AB

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cmaymaria
, US
Feb 01, 2019 10:14 pm EST
Replying to comment of cmaymaria

oh and his email is
dvemils@gmail.com
phone number [protected]

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id rather not say
, US
Jan 31, 2019 4:19 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am writing to introduce myself and to send you a current resume which I hope and trust you will take the opportunity to read.

As you will note from my resume I am a mature individual, work hard for my family, very sincere and respectable... I am currently 55 years old, married, doctor specialist in orthopedic and trauma surgery. I graduate King's College London, University of London and here I met my beautiful wife. Her name is Julie, together we have an adult son and 1-year-old twin beautiful granddaughters.
It had been my father’s dream to become a doctor. My father deserve all my thanks and gratitude for bestowing in me ethics which uphold a strong sense of service to others and a love of God and family. He was my hero and my best friend. I inherited this beautiful apartment from him when he passed away, after that it has been totally updated and renovated, it looks exactly like in the pictures.
I'm originally from Canada, we thought about moving there, we tried several times to transfer our jobs, but unfortunately the things didn't work the way we've expected. I like it there, but our life is here now, in London, (UK), so we decided to rent it and keep the apartment for our granddaughters.

This is the second time I tried to rent the apartment, I had a deal with somebody before who said he will rent it if I come there.. So I got a plane ticket, and guess what!?
When I arrived there, he didn't show up and after 2 days he give me a call and said that he is sorry but he can't rent it anymore, because he has no money... It was unfortunate that my past bitter experience of inviting people to come and view my apartment without any form of confirmation of their financial ability and not keeping up to time as at when scheduled, has brought about great loss to me.
Don't get me wrong and don't take it personally, but now I don't want to buy another plane ticket to come and fall for it once more... maybe you won't show up. I'm sick of tire-kickers, people who are just looking around and not serious about renting, so please, don't waste my time.. No offence!

We think you're the right person we're looking for, so if you are really interested in moving forward, I have the best solution to complete this rental very fast for both of us and you'll have the keys in less than 48 hours.

P.S.

I couldn't respond earlier due to work... I don't want you to think I was ignoring you, but the time difference doesn't help either... That said, (sometimes) please kindly expect a delay of a few hours in my response.

Here is a picture of us.

Sincerely and best regards.

Christopher & family

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I
I
id rather not say
, US
Jan 31, 2019 4:05 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Thank you for expressing your interest.

I'm excited to introduce to you this well presented apartment, that
offers high-end finishes and a good sized space... with these
brilliant features, you do not want to miss the opportunity to secure
your next potential home!

Please find attached some recent pictures and initial information
which I hope you find useful.

I would like to briefly introduce myself first – my name is
Christopher Simpson, and I'm the owner of this fully furnished,
tastefully
renovated apartment, that comes with an immaculate styled kitchen,
with all facilities-utilities:
* dishwasher * refrigerator * stove * oven * juice machine * iron *
toaster * coffee maker * microwave * vacuum cleaner * central air *
stainless steel appliances;

NOTE*
The apartment comes with 2 parking spots and 1 storage room.
Therefore, if you have your furniture, I've the option of sending all
my things into storage room. I'll contact a removals company, no
additional cost for you!

Also, all of the utility costs are included in the rental fee amount,
( $880.00/month ):
* gas * water * cable * electricity * wireless/Internet * in-suite
washer/dryer. The cost for telephone line, including long-distance
charges, is not included in "all inclusive" arrangement.

I accept month-to-month rental ( minimum stay 3 months ) or a long-term lease;
The price will not increase monthly, it will remain the same for the
whole period that the contract will be signed for;
The rent is for the whole apartment, ( the price is NOT different if
there are more people, because the amount is distributed between the
residents );

PS.
No worries, it is non shared accommodation.

Therefore, if you are looking for a great apartment, this place may be for you.

Feel free to contact me back and I'll submit you the application form ASAP!

Much appreciated,

Christopher

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jakebackman
, US
Jan 08, 2019 12:21 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Same story here. Saw a listing for a 2 bedroom furnished apartment in downtown Kitchener just for $833. The ad was posted by someone named Charlie (Kijiji profile: https://www.kijiji.ca/o-profile/92829193/1) and it said you should email re.verrse@gmail.com if you're interested. I did, and a guy named Christopher Simpson emailed me back the next day with the following email and attached photos. I'm really happy that I reverse searched one of the photos and got here. Here's the email:

Thank you for expressing your interest.
I'm excited to introduce to you this well presented apartment, that
offers high-end finishes and a good sized space... with these
brilliant features, you do not want to miss the opportunity to secure
your next potential home!

Please find attached some recent pictures and initial information
which I hope you find useful.

I would like to briefly introduce myself first – my name is
Christopher Simpson, and I'm the owner of this fully furnished,
tastefully
renovated apartment, that comes with an immaculate styled kitchen,
with all facilities-utilities:
* dishwasher * refrigerator * stove * oven * juice machine * iron *
toaster * coffee maker * microwave * vacuum cleaner * central air *
stainless steel appliances;

NOTE*
The apartment comes with 2 parking spots and 1 storage room.
Therefore, if you have your furniture, I've the option of sending all
my things into storage room. I'll contact a removals company, no
additional cost for you!

Also, all of the utility costs are included in the rental fee amount,
( $833.00/month ):
* gas * water * cable * electricity * wireless/Internet * in-suite
washer/dryer. The cost for telephone line, including long-distance
charges, is not included in "all inclusive" arrangement.

I accept month-to-month rental ( minimum stay 3 months ) or a long-term lease;
The price will not increase monthly, it will remain the same for the
whole period that the contract will be signed for;
The rent is for the whole apartment, ( the price is NOT different if
there are more people, because the amount is distributed between the
residents );

PS.
No worries, it is non shared accommodation.

Therefore, if you are looking for a great apartment, this place may be for you.
Feel free to contact me back and I'll submit you the application form ASAP!

Much appreciated,
Christopher

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Manal nj
, US
Dec 12, 2018 6:47 am EST

God bless google search image!
Mine was Thomas palmer, same pictures, same story, trying to sell a fake rental in Montreal and claiming he was a 58 year old surgeon graduated from Kings College of London in the UK. His wife's name was "Julie" ... but I made a mistake by sending my pictures!
He asks me, as a favor, to post an add in Kijiji and Graiglist, because he coundn't, for an another condo's Wife in Toronto...
I regret it and delete it ! So be careful!

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ellenpls
, US
Nov 23, 2018 11:28 am EST

He posted a Kijiji ad recently for an apartment in Ottawa. Claimed he got the apartment from his "hero" father who passed away. He used the email lewis07adm@gmail.com. Said he has a wife called Marie, an adult son, and twin granddaughters. I've attached all the photos I could. I found this page by reverse image-searching the "family photos" he sent. I was suspicious that the bedroom photo was much better quality than the photos of the kitchen.

I'll post his first email below in case anyone googles it:

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my announcement.

I know sometimes it can be tough to find the right place to settle
down, but to help me serve you better, please find attached some
information which I hope you'll find useful;

This charming apartment looks exactly like in the pictures ( please
check out the photos below, I've attached some recent pictures ), is
fully furnished, finished with all the high grade finishings, sunny
and very spacious... when you'll come into this apartment, you're
welcomed by tons of natural light, an open living area and chef's
kitchen, with all facilities/utilities; ( dishwasher, refrigerator,
stove, oven, juice machine, iron, toaster, coffee maker, microwave,
vacuum cleaner, central air, stainless steel appliances ).

- You can rent the apartment for short term, ( can be month to
month, minimum stay 3 month ) or long term ( maximum stay 6 / 7 years
).

- The rent is for the whole apartment, no shared accommodation,
$800.00/month, ( the price is NOT different if there are more people,
because the amount is distributed between the residents ).

- The price will not increase monthly, it will remain the same for
the whole period that the contract will be signed for.

- All of the utility costs are included in the rental fee amount (
gas, water, cable, electricity, wireless/Internet, 2 parking spaces,
in-suite washer/dryer and 1 storage unit to store extra stuff ). The
cost for telephone line, including long-distance charges, is not
included in "all inclusive" arrangement.

- No worries about pets, as long as you'll make clean up after them.

- If you have your furniture, I've the option of sending all my
things into a storage room. I'll contact a removals company, no
additional cost for you.

My name is Adam Lewis, I'm the owner and if you are looking for a
great apartment, in an awesome location, this place may be for you!

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fakerentals
, CA
Nov 21, 2018 2:01 pm EST

Also was contacted by a "Mark Roberts" and exchanged a few emails. Trying to sell a fake rental in Toronto and claiming he was a 58 year old surgeon graduated from Kings College of London in the UK. His wife's name was "Marie". Email exchanges are basically a copy and paste of what people posted above. He also asked me to post a kijii address for his wife's apartment.

Email address he used was: markrberts44@gmail.com
Everyone please post the fake images he uses here to prevent others from wasting their time talking to this person.

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ellenpls
, US
Nov 23, 2018 11:20 am EST

He's also going by Adam Lewis. Same doctor in the UK story, same photos, claims the apartment is in Ottawa.

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Blues22
, CA
Nov 16, 2018 2:53 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

The same thing just happened to me. I'm recently widowed, living in Victoria, BC, and got the exact same pictures as above. Today he is going by Mark Roberts. Unbelievable. When I saw the pics I too thought they were too good to be true so did a reverse search on one of them and luckily found this website. Thanks to all who posted because I was going to reply to him.

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Kelsey S.
, US
Oct 22, 2018 10:20 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Just realized my boyfriend and I were about to be scammed by the same person claiming to be “Samuel Wilter” that’s currently living in Croatia but renting a 3 bedroom downtown Whitby. He claims that he inherited the apartment from his grandfather, and that he’s renting it out until his twin granddaughters are older (currently 1 year old).

The place looked like a dream come true. But, looking at the other comments on this website proves that he copy and pastes the same information but changes the name and location.

As soon as he had mentioned the “3rd party” to make the transaction, I started to have doubts. I went to Western Union as requested and inquired about this. The store manager told me this is fraudent and that she refused to have me send the money to this man. Immediately, I was devistated but did more investigation. I went to my bank to inquire about the “3rd party” and was told that it was also fraudulent. I drove to the street that was posted on Kijiji as he also took down the ad.
THERE WAS NO APARTMENT! It didn’t even exist.

I truly hope that no one gets scammed by this cruel person. I’m just glad that I started to notice the red flags before it was too late. DO NOT TRUST ANYONE THAT IS TRYING TO GET YOU TO PAY MONEY BEFORE VIEWING A PLACE IN PERSON! Thank goodness I never gave this person a single cent.

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grim45
, CA
Oct 17, 2018 12:48 pm EDT

Wow! Reverse-searched one of the images he sent me of the apartment and found this website. Passed himself as Dave Wilmot. I knew it was fishy the moment he involved a 3rd party company to take care of the transfer of money. Price was far too low to be real (downtown Ottawa, $929/month for a 2BDR with finishing imitating the newest buildings of the city). Included screenshots from emails he sent!

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Ghost5532
,
Jul 18, 2018 4:22 pm EDT

Same deal here. A Kijiji ad for an apartment in downtown Kitchener. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!

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Scam Fooker
, US
Jun 13, 2018 6:28 pm EDT

Fook you Brad Stevens. I will cum in you!

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Patti Helps
, US
Nov 08, 2018 10:34 pm EST

his phone number is [protected]

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purplerain123
, US
Jun 11, 2018 9:30 am EDT

Wow, same thing happened to me! Posting all the photos he sent me here incase he sends the same pictures to someone else.
He called himself Brad Stevens, and his email address was blutsy55@gmail.com
He even sent me a picture of a family he said was his.
I also got the same story about being a doctor, living with his family in London, asking me to post on kijiji, etc.
Hopefully this will help someone else avoid the scam.

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jvr67u06
, US
Jan 11, 2018 12:37 am EST

Pictures of his scam

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jvr67u06
, US
Jan 11, 2018 12:23 am EST

do not trust the email marmith49@gmail.com [protected]
he claimed to be martin smith a doctor in the UK his apartments he was renting was less than 1000
he claimed to need help with ads selling his wifes apartment i searched for the hospital he claimed for work at and no one with his name works there
please dont fall for the scam he asks for family pictures but i believe he uses that to send to other people
his application was not a normal application only asked name number current address and family photo
based off that he said i was a perfect candidate
do not fall for the scam

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jvr67u06
, US
Jan 11, 2018 12:27 am EST
Replying to comment of jvr67u06

i got the exact message different apartment as "sjamjd" got

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sjamjd
, US
Jan 05, 2018 10:26 pm EST

I got this exact message but he called himself "Martin Smith", he said he and his wife were the owners of the apartment. The apartment was apparently located in Surfers Paradise, QLD (Australia). He had an ad on Gumtree titled "GLKN Broadbeach Gold Coast Hospital 2+1, study room apt (Laycock Street, SURFERS PARADISE QLD 4217)" which I sent an email about, asking if it was still available. He replied a few days later (photos attached). A few of these photos were similar (bathroom, green bed, laundry) but kitchen and living photos were of a different apartment. Silly me replied back asking if it's possible to view the apartment, obviously i'm waiting for an excuse reply back! Luckily I didn't fill out any application or give him any personal details. His email address is marmith49@gmail.com

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Jeremy79248
, US
Oct 29, 2017 3:57 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Oct 27, 2017 - Thank you guys for these posts. Just started inquiring about one of his adds. Seemed too good to be true so I did an image search and found these comments! He was posting for an apartment in Guelph Ontario (Quebec Street). Using the name Timothy Baird. Email (me0144tb@gmail.com). Phone number [protected]. and again posted on Kijiji. I added all the images he used in this post...

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•elyse•
, US
Aug 20, 2017 3:11 pm EDT

I got an email from this guy after he posted this apartment on Kijiji! He was going by Dave Aspen in London, Ontario and gave the number [protected] (email aspen01101@gmail.com). I thought it would be too good to be true! Thanks for the warning!

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theglitterestpeach
, US
Aug 02, 2017 7:59 pm EDT

THANK YOU . OMG I FIND IT SKETCHY AND HE WAS DRAGGING THE THIRD PARTY COMPANY IN and I feel like I should search his phone number and I got this. He called himself as John Edmonds and he said the exact same thing .

Thank you for posting this

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Kay Fof
, US
Jul 22, 2017 11:21 pm EDT

Same thing happened to me as well. He was going by the name Curtis Adams and claimed to be a surgeon from London UK. Thought something was off right away but played along and gave him bogus information when asked to fill out an application. He wanted me to send a deposit through a third party company and the company would send me a copy of the lease and the keys to the "apartment". Just did a reverse Google image search on one of the photos he sent me and it brought me to this site.

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Tanaika Bisschop
, US
Jul 13, 2017 4:08 pm EDT

Just happened to me to! He sent the EXACT same images and he was going by the name Terry Walsh in Guelph! I'm so glad you posted this because I couldnt find a way to disprove it till I reverse searched one of the photos and came across this! Thank you!

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Aline C. Stukart
, US
Aug 14, 2017 3:29 pm EDT

Same thing to me, he used the name Curtis Adams