Potential Craigslist real estate scam surfaces in Mid-Missouri

It started with emails to “BoroBoro932” in reply to a Craigslist ad for a home listed in Monticello Acres in Jefferson City.

Edwin Sydnor said his wife was thrilled when she found her dream home in their price range.

“She’s just excited, she’s happy, she’s about ready to call the landlord and give him the 30-day notice,” Sydnor told ABC 17 News.

Sydnor said they filled out the questionnaire and were accepted.

He said things were panning out perfectly, until he asked so-called homeowner Rodger C. Cobb when they could get the keys.

Cobb told them via email that he would mail them the keys after they wired him a $500 deposit to Nigeria through Western Union.

“That’s when my red flag went up,” Sydnor said.

Cobb also communicated with the Sydnors by texting.

“He texted me some stuff too. ‘Hi Jackie, I am very happy to accept you as our new tenant,'” Sydnor said.

Concerned that this may be a potential scam, Sydnor contacted Remax Real Estate because he noticed a Remax sign out front.

He said he was shocked to learn the house was not even listed for sale.

ABC 17 News emailed Cobb and called the phone numbers he had been using to communicate with the Sydnors.

The emails were unreturned and all of the phone numbers were no longer working numbers.

Edwin and his wife said they are disappointed they won’t be getting the house they wanted, but they are glad they didn’t lose any money.

“If it’s too good to be true, it more than likely is,” Sydnore said.