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Bay Ridge 2BR for $950! Wire Deposit Now!
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 11, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 11, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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A con artist has been using Craigslist to scam gullible apartment seekers out of hundreds of dollars, according to the Daily News. Nothing new here, except this time the scheme so sketchy it’s hard to feel too sorry for the victims. Using the alias JoAnn Rinaggio, a compulsive check bouncer named JoAnne Smith has been posting listings for a fully furnished two-bedroom with a balcony in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. This amazing place can be yours for only $950 – less than half the market value!
Thing is, “Rinaggio” has just been transferred to North Carolina and needs you to wire the security deposit ASAP; then she’ll totally send you the keys: “I will like to tell you that we are doing this based on trust and I would like you to trust me as I trust you.” And since she’s out of town, it’s not possible to see the apartment yet; another reason why you can’t see it is because it doesn’t exist – 8235 Fourth Avenue is a phony address.
The original ad has been pulled from Craigslist but not before "countless" victims sent money and never heard back, according to Internet fraud and security expert Craig Solomon. His common sense advice: “Whenever anyone from out of state is involved, red flags should immediately go up. Avoiding the scam is simple. Try to always do business face-to-face, and never, ever, wire money anywhere.” What's the worst experience you've had while apartment hunting?
Photo of Bay Ridge houses by Nrvlowdown.
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apartment
bay ridge
brooklyn
craigslist
daily news
fourth avenue
internet
JoAnne Smith
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North Carolina
Rinaggio
scam
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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