yay for craigslist scams

I've been looking on craigslist trying to find a house for us to rent, something with 3 bedrooms, and ideally, a garage and backyard. I haven't had much luck in our price range so far, but I saw one ad for a nice-looking 3-bdrm house for the same rent we're paying now. I emailed, then emailed again when they didn't write back, and got this response (twice, verbatim). I instantly felt very suspicious. (I'm sharing it more for entertainment than validation. I won't be getting involved with this house, because I trust my feelings.)

Thanks for your response and interest in my house.The house is very much available and it is charming 3 bedroom home for rent in AZ USA.Which was formally occupied by me and my family before we left for Nigeria for a doctoral duty under a missionary, we left for a volunteer mission together with other missionaries for a development program with the aim of developing the people of west Africa physically and spiritually as God as directed us. We wanted to sell the house initially but we later changed our mind after we discovered that we wouldn't be spending more then 5 years here in Africa.So as you know well that the house is located at [address] AZ. Which my family and I have spent so much time and money to maintain it up till its standard. We have been trying our best to make the house as clean as possible, because am a clean person and we don't like dirt around our surroundings and also the Bible says cleanliness is next to Godliness.We are looking for a well-behaved, clean and honest tenant to rent out our house too. We will like you to give us your words and promise us that you will take good care of our house so that we will be happy when we come to visit you in the future.. We accept short or long-term rent and month to month also... All the utilities are included in the rent.. Pets are allowed. So kindly get back to us with this information below.

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

Full Name__________________________________________________
Home Phone ( )________________________
Date of Birth_________________________________
Other Phone ( )___________________
Current Address_______________________ ________
Apt#________
City__________________
State______
Zip________
Reasons for Leaving____________________________
Rent $__________
Phone ( )____________________________
Are you married____________________________
How many people will be living in the house____________________________
Do you have a pet____________________________
Do you have a car____________________________
Occupation____________________________
Move In Date____________________________
When do you intended sending me the deposit___________________________
When do you intended receiving the keys and document of the house___________________________
When do you intend to drive by the Property___________________________
Any Good Credit___________________________
Credit Score___________________________
Any Police Problem___________________________

Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you.Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the key to you,please we are giving you all this base on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words, you know that we do not see our self's yet and only putting everything into Gods hand, so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this. Looking forward to hear from you. you can give us a call on our cell

Best Regards


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Wow.

It's really rather insulting, don't you think, that they're even expecting someone to believe it?

I've had this happen before, this ridiculous "we're in Africa but you can wire us the money" bit. I wish it were easier to laugh it off, but it really makes me angry. Dishonesty has always really gotten to me. And it's already been kind of a crappy day, so when I saw a reply in my inbox and got my hopes up, this wasn't what I was hoping for...

Positive note: a friend from my ward reminded me today that my visiting teacher is a real estate agent and I know she'll totally help me out with legit MLS listings.