"Craigslist Rental – Missionary Overseas – Wire Deposit" Scam
Craigslist apartment absent landlord — travel story justifies Zelle deposit before viewing
Hi! I saw you inquired about the 1BR on Craigslist. It's $950/month, utilities included. Still available. My husband is a missionary and we had to leave the country quickly. We just need first/last via wire to hold it.
SMS
Confirmed scam
Overseas landlord stories ('I'm a missionary in Ghana') are a specific red flag associated with this scam variant.
Typical victim loss: $1,000–$5,000
FTC Data Spotlight December 2025 — rental fraud $65M total; median ~$1,500/victim
First seen
Jul 2024
Category
Real Estate
Attack vector
SMS
Trigger
Investigation
4 red flags in this message
Missionary / military / nurse abroad
Classic excuse patterns that justify remote management and inability to show the property.
Wire transfer required
Wire transfers are irreversible and untraceable — the preferred payment method for rental fraud.
Below market price
Underpriced listings attract large numbers of inquiries — scammers then move fast to collect deposits from multiple victims on the same fake unit.
Craigslist origin
BBB reports Craigslist as the #1 platform for rental fraud. Zillow and Facebook Marketplace are #2 and #3.
What happens if you click
Multiple victims may pay deposits on the same non-existent or unlisted apartment.
International wire transfers nearly impossible to recover.
Some victims arrive at the address to find a completely different occupant.
Other versions of this message
Scammers rotate wording to bypass spam filters. All variations lead to the same outcome.
Hello! The apartment is still available — $1,100/mo. I'm currently deployed overseas and managing remotely. Send deposit to hold.
Re: your rental inquiry. Unit available immediately. I'm a nurse working abroad. Wire $1,200 to hold + I'll mail the keys.
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Frequently asked questions
Why do rental scammers use 'missionary' or 'military' stories?+
These roles are trusted, explain remote management convincingly, and create sympathy. They also make the victim less likely to be suspicious of the overseas, can't-meet situation.
How do I safely search for rentals?+
Use established platforms with landlord verification (Zillow, Apartments.com, Realtor.com). Always view in person before paying anything. Meet the landlord and verify their identity with ID.
Can I get my money back from a rental scam?+
Rarely. Wire transfers are usually irreversible. File a police report immediately and report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If paid via bank wire, contact your bank within 24 hours — recall may be possible.
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Check your message →First documented: July 2024
Source: FTC Data Spotlight December 2025 — rental fraud $65M total; median ~$1,500/victim
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