Korean Job Discussion Forums

[radcon]

So I came across this ad for an apartment on craigslist. http://seoul.craigslist.co.kr/apa/2836744292.html
It definitely must be some sort of scam. Anybody know what their angle is? Here is the ad. You get all of that for 700,000 a month! HA.

Furnished 2 bedrooms apartment available for rent to students, families, couples and single as well. the apartment is fully furnished and comes with all the necessary utilities it takes to live comfortably at home. The rent of the apartment is monthly lease with NO KEY MONEY REQUIRED. There is parking included in the monthly rent of the apartment and pets is allowed. The location of the apartment is few minutes walk to subway stations, few minutes walk to schools, banks and restaurant as well as shopping mall.

Apartment Includes
- Heating
- Hot water
- Central A/C
- Internet
- Cable
- Electricity
- Gym/Pool in building

Apartment size:2 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms/toilets + Kitchen + living room

Types of housing: Furnished

Utilities included: All-inclusive

Appliances included: Fridge, stove, dishwasher

Type of flooring: Hardwood

Type of heating: Electric

Amenities: Central Air Conditioning, Balcony, Laundry Room in Building, Garbage Chute, Indoor Pool, Security in Lobby, Indoor Parking, Sauna, Pets allowed.

[r122925]

Can't say for sure on the one you posted, but the usual scam goes like this...

You call or email to tell them you are interested. They set up an appointment for you to come take a look at it. When you show up they tell you that the landlord just rented it to someone a few minutes ago. Then they show you other places in the price range which are total hell-holes.

Definitely a ridiculous ad though. No pictures, and not even a location? Usually they need to make it a little bit more realistic. This guy must be new.

[pkang0202]

[zappadelta]

[radcon]

My suspicions were correct and its much more sinister than a bait and switch. Its a Nigerian scam. Here is the reply I got after sending an email stating that I would take the apartment.

Hello,
My furnished 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms/toilets apartment is much available for rent as you inquire which is located at Hannam-dong, Yongsan, Itaewon, Seoul and attached are the apartment pictures. I want you to know that I'm renting it out to you due to my re-location of job to here in Texas, U.S. I'm a visible sign instructor/demonstrator, which I do work for church ministration voluntarily and in-dependably. I left the city with hope that I will be coming back soon but right now the work has taken me to stay for another 2yrs under contract agreement, that's why I have made up my mind to put up my apartment for rent.

I will be sending the keys and the documents package to you through your address you will provide in the rent application form by DHL COURIER SERVICE and it will be home delivery service to you. The apartment is KRW700,000 monthly including cable /internet access, furnished, Central Air Conditioning, Laundry, Garbage Chute, Pets OK, cleaning service, dry cleaning, Heating, Electricity. etc and everything is already been furnished. Below is the application form for you to answer in order to decide the rent of my apartment to you and I want you to know that I'm giving this apartment for rent base on trust.

RENT APPLICATION FORM
1)Your Full Name
2)Your Full Address & Phone Number
3)How old are you?
4)Are you married?
5)How many people will be living in the house?
6)Do you have a pet?
7)Do you have a car?
8)Occupation?
9)How long Do you intend to stay?

Looking forward to reading back from you with all this details so that I can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you. please I'm giving you all this base on trust.

I will be waiting to read back from you soon.

Thanks and God Bless you.

Regards,

Tina

[soulofseoul]

Mail them back and lead them on for awhile. See what their future responses are?

[Harpeau]

I got the same piece of crap. Hook them up with a Yakusa gangster should be edutaining!!

[leicsmac]

[alongway]

This is an extremely common scam in North America as well. Instead they claim to be in Korea on missionary work.

[radcon]

Here is my reply:


Dear Tina,
The pictures you sent of the apartment are great. I can't wait to move in. I lived in Texas a few years ago. What city are you in?

To answer some of your questions: I am married and there will be about 7 people living in the house. After my oldest son gets out of jail in a few months there will be 8. I hope this will be fine.

I do have a pet badger. He is sweet and friendly. He is so clean that we usually allow him to roam freely in our current house. Your ad says dogs and cats are fine, but what is your badger policy?

I don't have a car but im looking to buy one. Do you know any reputable car dealers in Seoul or know anyone trying to sell a car? I prefer German makes.

I intend to stay in the apartment for at least two years. When will you be coming back to Seoul? Now you said the rent is 700,000 a month. If I pay 2 years rent up front, can I get a little discount? I am willing to pay you for two years rent now. Let me know.

Also you said that the apartment has an indoor pool. Is this a private pool or do I have to share with others? Is there a life guard on duty? Do you have a good pool guy you can recommend?Can you send me a photo of the pool?

[hogwonguy1979]

[Joe Boxer]

[ontheway]

[motiontodismiss]

[jondepoer]

I responded to an ad about a 1 bedroom in Gangnam for 550,000. Sure the price seemed good, but it was a villa and not an apartment building. The guy had a convincing story about being away on assignment for his company, had a big "jonsae" deposit made on the apartment, and just wanting someone to live there and take care of the place. He also seemed very particular about who he would let live here. He also sent a bunch of reasonably convincing interior pictures and an exact street address.

I smelled a rat after the first couple of emails, but persisted anyway, having nothing to lose (I didn't give him any important personal information, even though he asked for my passport/ARC numbers).

As I suspected, the whole thing ended with me having to send him money, before I could even see the apartment. He had apparently left the country in "such a hurry" that he brought the apartment keys and papers with him, and wanted me to pay for the postage. Could he send the keys to a friend in Seoul instead? No. Could he send them COD? No. Could he just pay the shipping, and I'll reimburse him on the first rent payment. Nope. End of discussion. I'm not an idiot.

Red flags:

- receiving an "application" form asking for personal numbers and information
- having to pay anything before signing a lease or even seeing the apartment
- being told that it's absolutely impossible to see the apartment before paying some kind of money for some stupid reason.

Beware!