"Stephani Chien" randomally sent us (my girlfriend and I) an email relating to an apartment she was posting for rent. We don't know where this email came from because our email address was listed as part of the message. Instead it read; FROM: Stephanie Chien <[email protected], TO: [email protected]. We are very confused to how "Stephani" got our email address but we have been applying to a lot of different houses/apartments during our search for a property.

The email that Stephani sent out reads:

Hello,
I have attached the pictures of my lovely flat. It is a well furnished
suitable flat. My flat is located at the Auckland.
Address: 189 Hobson St, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
Area: Auckland
Rent: $150Per Week ($600.00 Per Month) Bond: $600.00 (The Bond is refundable
on your move out}
Utilities include: Electricity, gas, cable, phone.
Available: NOW
Maximum stay: 4 years
Minimum stay: 1 months

Flat mate Description:
Personal info: Stephanie, 30 yrs. old, Female, Straight, Professional.
Household info: Non Smoker, There are no pet(s)
Preferred flat mate description:
Age: from 15 to 99 yrs. old
Gender: Doesn't matter
Smoker: Doesn't matter
Orientation: Doesn't matter
Pet: Doesn't matter
Room and apartment description:
Features: kitchen, reception Bedrooms, Bathrooms
Home amenities: Alarm system, Cable reply, Washer/Dryer, Dishwasher, Microwave.
Kitchen access, Storage, Gym.
House amenities: Furnished, Air conditioning, Private entrance, Private
Bath, Phone jack, TV, Cable jack, Closet. Internet access
A wonderful collection of individual style apartments which have recently been
refurbished to a very high standard, offering very spacious accommodations. Well
equipped full kitchen, including a washer - dryer. -Conveniently Located
-Daily Cleaning
-Business Facilities
-Satellite TV
-Superb Kitchen with washer / dryer
-Parking FREE
-DVD/CD Players

I'm looking to rent out to nice and cool person really understand your
plight and I want you to know that the apartment is fully available. It’s your
place and you can receive visits as much as it wouldn’t inconvenient you...I
would like to know how long you will be staying and when you will love to move
in...LOL
I would be expecting to read from you about your own interest.
Note: Please send a reference and possibly an ID or any form of ID.

Best Regards,
Stephanie


We have had many fraudulent emails in our search for a rental property. Pretty much the advice I would give is, "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is." Proceed with caution and ask for a description of the place as well as a private viewing of the property.