I received this email from one Shannon Boksburg.
I was excited at the possibility of finding a new roommate but red flags were raised because
A) she says she's Canadian (Ontario) but grew up in Netherlands but I felt that her email did not flow smoothly for someone who speaks English natively.
B) she's out of the country and will not be able to see the property
C) she did not specify what area she will be working in
D) company is paying for the cost - which normally isn't too odd except that she works for a government agency, which would make me assume they would make the living arrangements for her.
So after googling her name, nothing came up (not even Facebook, which is almost rare in this day and age) but I found this forum and read some of the posts of potential/verified scammers and they all sound very similar! Always someone else paying for the rent; either a family member or a company.
Tell me what you guys think. The following is her email below and a email following my email response:
Hello, How are you doing? I went through your profile as posted on roommates.com and am Interested in renting the place you have available.
I will start by introducing myself briefly; I am Shannon Boksburg 30 years old, Am Originally from Ontario, Canada grew up in Netherlands.
I am a Pathologist by profession, presently work for European Public Health Alliance under the inspection of W.H.O/UNICEF as a microbiologist/Researcher; I do more of humanitarian work which is out of my real profession. Moreover, I just finished a project here in Netherlands, about treatment of water and to educate Communities on intensive health-care.
The project was initiated by UNICEF in conjunction with EPHA; I led the troop to actualize the conclusion of the project. My next appointment is in the United States, I will have to move in by first week of August. Due to this reason, I had to make the posting to get a room urgently for me to get a place to live on my arrival to the states. I have some personal effect to move in such as my Desktop computer, bedroom furniture.
I get lot of acknowledgment about me been friendly, I love kids, I’m laid back, I don't move about at nights, love reading novels and listening to the news because am very conservative about politics & entertainment.
The duration of my stay is for 12 months as my supervisor will come visiting once in awhile to get reports from me, a letter of appointment about my first assignment by my supervisor upon my arrival. Precisely, I might be working in schools, Laboratories and Hospitals.
Am writing to confirm if you still have the room available for rent......If YES, Kindly reply the following questions below:
1) I will like to have the description of the room, size, and the equipments in there.
2) I will like to have the rent fee per month plus the utilities.
3) I will also be coming with some of my furniture, electronics that is if it is allowed, like bed, book shelf because I read a lot, shoe rank etc
4) I will also like to know if you accept Cashier's Check or Money Order so that I can contact our payment department for the payment. The company is responsible for the payment.
5) If the 4 questions are YES, I will like to know the total cost for the initial move as in first month rent plus utilities and if deposit is necessary.
6) I will like to know the major intersection
7) I will like to know as well when the place will be available and how long you wish to rent it out.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Respectfully,
Shannon Boksburg.
2nd email after I responded:
Thanks for your prompt response. Yes! I do love animals and I hope we could be good neighbor play pool as a vocational game but my sport is scrabble and I play it well. Am 30yrs Old and I am a Pathologist as well, could you tell me more about the area because I won't be able to check it out in person . I have also attached my picture and I would love to see your pictures too if you have any. This will give both of us an ideal picture of ourselves so won't have any difficulty identifying ourselves when we finally meet. I would like to rent for a long term period. I really need a place to put my head when am in states. I am very nice and loving person, fun to be with. I don't keep late night. Most importantly I am respectful of others privacy, time, and personal items. I am really interested in your place and I work (Make researches and compile list), I would like to arrive as soon as payment is confirmed and the accommodation is secured, depending on when the place will be available. Let me know when the place is available and how long you want to lease your place for, Honestly I don't have any problem participating in any of your life style and I don't have any allergies......
Concerning the payment,My supervisor will be responsible for the payment. Please let me know if a c or Money Order will do,So that I can contact my supervisor that the apartment is ready.Calculate the first month rent and deposit if required. I would love to move in by first week of August, and will be staying for a long time depending on how long you want to rent the place 12Months to be precise. Let me know how long you want rent the place.
Also would love to know more about you, what kind of job do you do? What kind of music do listen to,because I like pop and classics. I have no problem sharing apartment with either a male or female, trust me you will enjoy my stay. Please get back me as soon as possible and send me the Name and Address where the check will be mailed to you, so that my supervisor can process it and send it to you as soon as possible. Tell me some more about your self.
Hoping to hear back from you soon.
Thanks and God Bless,
Shannon Boksburg.