Thomas Bozzuto

Scammer's email [email protected]
Country United States
Victim Location NV 89147, USA
Total money lost $3,100
Type of a scam Rental

I am a student who received a summer internship offer to work for the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. Following doing research on where to stay and talking to friends, I learned that many people in D.C. sublease their properties out to summer interns. I found a listing on Craigslist that was in a very favorable distance from my future workplace and began corresponding with the person who posted the listing. I went through the process of filling out a rental application and signing a lease form through the provider and his landlord. I sought my parents' help in this matter and initially everything appeared sound to us in regards to checking out the location, the lease form, and the pricing. My parents paid a security deposit and one month's rent for the listing at a price of $3100. Later in the process, more money was requested for insurance purposes. In the process of attempting to pay this money, my parents' bank noticed something odd and was able to identify this as a scam. In hindsight I recognize my mistakes and realize that I should have not have carried out this process without viewing the property in person. But as a college student who lives very far away and who was looking for a place to stay in a short amount of time, I did not have that option. I feel stupid and ashamed for falling victim to this scandal and I hope no one else ever has to experience this themselves.