Complaint Review: Taylor Baker/ Arthur Celestino

BUYERS BE WARNED !

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/mss/apa/4225440375.html

I was looing for an appartment with roomates and stubbled on what I thought was a steal of a deal and turns out was too good to be true. It was Tuscany Gates condos Mississauga Ontario. So I inquired  the craigslist  (be warry if you are apparmet hunting on craigslist and kajiji) The email name was arthur celestio. However when I got a return response it was from a Taylor Baker that should have been a red flag. 

do NOt deal with any this related to RENT REPORTERS if it is a private listing

If you recieve ANY e-mail from a private listing that  has similar content, or a well spun story such as the following please be warned and proceed with caution it is almost certianly a scam. 

This was the emaill i initially recieved. 

The apartment located in 220 Forum Dr, Mississauga, ON L4Z 4K1 is still available. As you can see from the pictures is in excellent condition, very clean and very well kept. Is the first time I'm renting this apartment and I'm trying to find a responsible tenant to take good care of the place. The apartment has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. You can use my furniture if you want and everything from the apartment otherwise you can deposit it in the storage unit that is near the building not far away.

Of course I will cover the costs for movers. The apartment rent is 900CAD/month with everything included-all the utilites (heat, hydro, water, electricy, 2 parking spots, laundry in-suite, washer and dryer also included, cable and internet- full package paid for 1 year in advance). You also have full access to all the building amenities (sauna, pool, fitness room, gym, party room, restaurants, visitor parking). Everything in the apartment is new or renovated so there is no need for repairs but just in case I will cover the costs.

Note that the apartment is a private property, already paid in full and NO mortgage on it.  The surrounding area is great. Schools and groceries near-by. I'm sure you will have everything that you need there because is one of the most important areas in the city. Pets and children are allowed in the building. Now about me: I'm a structural engineer and I work for MWH Global Engineering, I'm 45 years old, married with 2 children. I worked hard to have a good career and I really respect hard earned money. The company I work for they have projects all around the world so most of my time I'm traveling. The apartment will be available for the next 6 years for sure. I want to rent the place on my own because it's a private property therefore I need to send you the keys and the papers. I'm sure we can find a way for both of us to be satisfied. 

I inquired further about how the ocuments would be procecced this was the responce

Thank you for your reply. As I told you before the rent for 1 month will be 900CAD with no extra fees and you will have full access to all the building amenities. You will pay the same price for the entire rental period. I would like to know how many people will live in the apartment and also what rental contract you prefer (a 6 months rental contract with option to renew it or 1 year rental contract with option to renew it and stay more). 

The monthly payments can be wired to my Bank Account (TD Bank) or we can setup a payment method that is suitable for both of us. The apartment is in excellent condition, you only need to receive the keys and the contract so you can check the place. The apartment is perfect and I am 100% sure that you will keep it. Since I'm in London, United Kingdom obviously we need a safe way to complete this deal. The solution which can be used is to use a wolrdwide third party company called RentReporters (www.rentreporters.com), They will provide assistance in handling the payment and delivery of the rental package. With their RentReporters Safe Exchange service you will be able to check the apartment before I receive the payment. Please be aware that is NOT necessary for you to register with RentReporters Safe Exchange given because I'm a registered user for 4 years and I've made over 30 transactions with them. They are really professional and they have great services. 

My phone number is +4420 3286 5620 (if you are calling from Canada or United States you need to dial 011-44-20-3286 5620). You can call me or e-mail any time you wish. 

Let me know if you are interested so I can provide with all the steps of this transaction, everything that you need to know about this process before we get this started. I think is right for both of us.

It seemed sketchy so i asked futher questions and these were the last two e-mails i recieved before figuring out it was a scam and cutting all contact. He would also not let me see the appartment before drawing up a contract and payment HUGE red flag 

You only have to deposit to RentReporters company the first month of rent from contract and damage deposit a total of 1100CAD so they can proceed with the shipping, and you can receive the rental package (the keys and the documents). I will pay for a 3-4days delivery time so you will receive the keys and the contract signed by me right away. I will explain you step by step how this process will work:

1 - To start the process all I need is your full shipping info (full name, address and your phone number).

2 - I will go to the RentReporters Safe Exchange office to deposit the keys and the contract on your name as the intended receiver. 

3 - RentReporters Safe Exchange will check the package to see if everything is in order and also the legal papers that will come along with the keys and proof of ownership with their Real Estate Professional Department in London. They will also confirm with the building manager that I'm the legal owner of the apartment I'm renting to you.

4 - RentReporters Safe Exchange will send you a delivery notification to let you know they have the keys and the papers in their custody. They will also send you all the payment instructions to complete the rental transaction.

5 - You must send a money deposit on the RentReporters Safe Exchange Agent Name for the amount we agreed (for the first month of rent & damage deposit). The payment needs to be sent within 24 hours after you receive the transaction details or else they will charge me an additional fee. 

6 - After you make the deposit you must send the payment details to RentReporters Safe Exchange.

7 - RentReporters Safe Exchange will verify the money transfer and if everything is in order they will start the shipping procedures using UPS or TNT Next Day Shipping Service.

8 - After you receive the package, you must go to check the apartment and in 5 days (inspection time) you must contact RentReporters Safe Exchange to inform them if you keep the apt or not. If everything is in order RentReporters will forward the funds to me. If you don`t want to keep the apartment you will receive a full refund in the final inspection time in cash from the agent who will come to your place to sign the rental contract.

Please note that RentReporters Safe Exchange will not release the funds to me without your approval.

 Let me know if you have the funds available (1100CAD) so we can move forward and e-mail me your details (full name, address, phone #).  

For any questions regarding the transaction you can contact me or send me your phone number and I will call you.

When I accused him of it being a scam he responed

You don`t have to be worried  about your money because they are 100% protected . I`ve used RentReporters Safe Exchange several times in the past as a buyer and all was in order they have great services. I can access the funds just after RentReporters Safe Exchange have your final answer about the transaction. If u refuse to keep the apt you will receive a full refund from them...

RentReporters Safe Exchange will contact you by email with the transaction method too  so you can be sure that we are using a legal shipping company and all is in order....

 Thanks

PLEASE be very careful if you come accross any emails like this one or any private listings with a too good to be true story chances are it is. Happy appartment hunting and be safe about it ! 

~Katie