Steven Derik Melissa NewtonMichael Chijioke Ogujiofor Lost $1000 to an apartment rental scammer Williamstown, NJ Internet
July 28 I posted a Craigslist ad, asking for housing in California to move into by the middle of August. Soon after, I was contacted via text by someone who said that he had an apartment available for sublease in North Hollywood. We then negotiated the price and sublease term for $700 per month for one year. July 29 The person, identified as Steven Derik, sent me a rental application, which I signed and returned. July 30 "Steven" told me that the landlord had approved of my application and was drafting a sublease agreement. July 31 I received the sublease agreement and read through it.
The email included bank account information for a person named Michael Chijioke Ogujiofor. August 1 I signed it and returned it to the sender via email. I then attempted a wire transfer using the information provided for $1000. Later that same day, I received $955, and "Steven" told me that the landlord never got the money. I then suggested PayPal, to which "Steven" responded by giving me an email address for someone he claimed was the landlord's wife, Melissa Newton. After a successful transfer of the money, he offered to show me the apartment the following Saturday.
I told him that I couldn't physically be at the apartment, but I would be available for a video tour instead. He agreed to the terms. August 3 Steven switched phone numbers and then claimed that the landlord required an additional $700 or so. I told him that we still had the video tour scheduled, but he demanded that I be there in person so he could hand off the keys and go. I then called off the deal and demanded a full refund, citing that he was in breach of the contract by attempting to deny my right to inspect the premises, physically or virtually. He tried to deny my claim, saying that the money I had paid wasn't refundable, but finally, he conceded and said that he would refund me first thing the following Monday.
August 7 Steven did not follow through on his promise, so I tried calling him, texting him, and emailing him. No responses to any of which were given, so I reported the case to the FTC, PayPal, and my bank. August 8 My bank account was temporarily locked while the bank investigated my claim. August 11 After several calls, I managed to get my bank account unlocked, but the bank was unable to resolve the issue. PayPal too was unable to resolve it. August 12-14 I sent money requests to both Melissa and Steven directly via PayPal. No response has come from either name.