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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Sheriff Falls to close jail basement, citing staffing concerns ... Emergency services, Nov. 5 ... Mail Tribune 100, Nov. 5, 1915 ... Sheriff Falls to close jail basement, citing staffing concerns ... Emergency services, Nov. 5 ... Mail Tribune 100, Nov. 5, 1915 ... Ashland Craigslist rental ads too good to be true Police say scammer uses owners' identity to pose as a landlord ASHLAND — In what appears to be a new twist on Nigerian scams, someone is offering Ashland homes for rent at very reasonable prices. The only problem is, the would-be landlord doesn't own the homes. Comment By DAWN HATCHARD MailTribune.com By DAWN HATCHARD Posted Jun. 9, 2009 at 12:20 AM By DAWN HATCHARD Posted Jun. 9, 2009 at 12:20 AM » Social News ASHLAND — In what appears to be a new twist on Nigerian scams, someone is offering Ashland homes for rent at very reasonable prices. The only problem is, the would-be landlord doesn't own the homes. Bogus "for-rent" ads on Craigslist are netting the international culprits personal information and possibly cash from their victims. Leslie Lovett, 64, and her husband, Richard, 69, own two properties in Ashland's Railroad District. Rental ads have been placed on Craigslist for both properties, offering extremely low rates, about 60 percent of what they actually rent for, to entice hopeful tenants with a good deal. The technique is new. The police aren't sure exactly how the scammer is managing the complex scheme, but it's happening in other jurisdictions, too, said Ashland police Lt. Corey Falls. To help convince his victims the rental offers are legitimate, the con artist created at least three e-mail addresses in Richard Lovett's name and signed the e-mails as Lovett. He then represented himself in phone conversations as the homeowner. The Lovetts thought the deception had ended in April, when their son contacted the man through e-mail and let him know his scam had been uncovered. But in May, the Lovetts' homes on Fourth Street surfaced on Craigslist again, even though they'd already rented out the houses. The false Richard Lovett claims to be on a Christian religious mission with his wife in Nigeria and says he has the keys with him there because he could not trust anyone else to show and rent out the homes. He tells potential renters that after they send him a deposit, which varies from $700 to $1,000, he will express mail them the key and rental agreement. He says he is acting on good faith that the new renters will take care of the house in his absence, he said. Leslie Lovett said after she posted warnings on Craigslist about the scam, she heard from at least eight people who had been in contact with the bogus landlord. Several already had sent him personal information, including full name, date of birth, current and past residences and employers. By DAWN HATCHARD MailTribune.com By DAWN HATCHARD Posted Jun. 9, 2009 at 12:20 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501