Beware of Craigslist Jerusalem West Africa Scam
My blood is boiling right now. And not because it’s a hot Israeli summer day without air conditioning. I am in apartment hunting mode – and I really mean hunting – vest, rifle, and all. I search at least 10 apartment websites every day and am desperate to find a good deal before someone else does. One of the sites I check is Craiglist and I saw a listing for ILS 2000 for a fully furnished 1 bedroom apartment on King George st. The pictures attached looked a little too stock photography/hotel – esque but when you’re desparately apartment hunting in Jerusalem and you see a deal like that, you can’t look away. I emailed the person who posted the ad asking about seeing the apartment and here’s what they wrote back: [“Stefano” dolphinbaby11@gmail.com]
Hi,
thanks for the message. I attached all the pics i have of the
apartment to show that it is fully furnished. I will be renting this
55sqm apartment out for 2000 ILS per month, all bills inclusive.The
apartment is located in the center of Jerusalem on “Hamalech George”
(King George), just three minutes away from “Ben Yehuda st”, two
minutes from the “Beit Hakneset Hagadol” and twenty minutes from “The
Kotel” (The Western Wall). Near Transportation, Shopping, SynagogueI am renting this apartment out because i am presently out of
Jerusalem, but you can reach me on 002348053001972. We can further
discuss details on phone. I am a volunteer for Anti-HIV campaign
programs in West Africa. I really hope that you will take good care of the apartment.
The utilities in the house are maintained from the rent. It is a
private apartment,all for you.The apartment was furnished to my taste and that is why i want you to
take good care of it as if it were yours. You can be rest assured that
the apartment will be available for your desired duration of stay if
you make a deposit payment now because i am not in town and will not
be there anytime soon. I did not entrust the apartment in the care of
any agent or anyone. The keys of the apartment are here with me.I will send you the keys and documents of the house once you make an
initial deposit.If you are interested in renting the house,i will send
you the application form so that i can have and verify your
information before renting out the apartment to you.Regards,
Stefano.
After telling a few people about the Craigslist listing, my suspicions were confirmed with people telling me they knew someone who fell for this scam, sent a month’s deposit, and never heard from the guy again. So, I looked in Google for “west africa craigslist scam” and sure enough found tons of people warning others not to fall for the scam.
As if this weren’t enough, I had also emailed another listing on Craiglist that had a fully furnished 2 bedroom apartment in Old Katamon. Surely enough, the guy wrote me about his family being in West Africa and when I sent a follow up email demanding to see the apartment first, he sent me the following: (notice that he says the apartment is on Kanfei Nesharim which is in Givat Shaul, not Old Katamon, and not even close):
The cost of the apartment per month ILS2000
the full address of the apartment is :kanfei nesharim street 20 jerusalem,israel youcan go there and see the place yourself and i am quite sure you will like the environment because it is very secured and safe.here is my cell phone number+2347064945797 contact me as soon as possible to know the lastest development so that i know when to contact my Lawyer and start to prepare the paperwork and then later Dhl the keys to the apartment to you after the deposit of the first month rent.Hope to hear from you soon..-JOHN DAVIES [revjohn44@gmail.com]
So please, please, warn others about this scam so that this guy does not get away with it!!
Here are some other links I found about the West Africa apartment scam:
- List of fake names and email addresses used on Craigslist
- Go West Africa – Craigs List Scam
- Craigslist Rental Scam
- Craigslist had a house for rent – owner claims be in West Africa
Freedom of Speech: Israel Isn’t Iran or is it?
It’s in the news, it’s on twitter and even CNN is using Youtube to get their information about the latest and breaking news in Iran as their citizens battle for freedom of speech and right to fair elections continues. But here in Israel news of freedom of speech being denied doesn’t seem to make the headlines around the world, on social media or even in Israel’s own media.
Last week Islamic Movement Northern Branch Leader Sheikh Raed Salah was finally granted permission to speak at Haifa University. Sheikh Salah is an Arab-Israeli and the former mayor of Umm el-Fahm. He was imprisoned for two years in 2003 for raising millions for Hamas and in 2007 he organized riots against an archeological dig and a new pedestrian bridge near the Temple Mount.
Sheikh Raed Salah
Despite his track record Haifa University allowed Sheikh Salah to speak on campus. This sounds like freedom of speech. Point one goes to Israel. But who was allowed to attend the speech, not Jews. In a Jewish State at a Government Educational Institution, Jews were forbidden and denied access to participate in the discussion. Point one removed from Israel and add a negative thousand.
Sheikh Salah told Arab students to sacrifice themselves as shahids in the war against Israel. He claimed that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu plans to dig tunnels under the al-Aksa mosque and replace it with a Jewish Temple and added that “We will not compromise on our principles or holy sites. We prefer to die as shahids and will welcome death joyfully.” This prompted chants of “Allahu Akbar (God is Great).
Meanwhile the lecture — if you would like to call it that— went on with cheers as Sheikh Salah’s incited hate, Jewish students gathered outside reciting “this isn’t Teheran.” They were not let in and instead clashed with Israeli police. Apparently freedom of speech is a one-way road.
Let me ask you this: If there had been an Israeli right-wing extremist that wanted to speak on campus would Israel allow him to do so? Would Israel ban Arabs from going? And if so, would that make the news?
Link to Sheikh Read Salah’s speech – YoutTube
A New Taste of the Jerusalem Food Scene
I tend to use this blog as place to rant and rage about the frustrations of daily life in Israel. Whether it’s dealing with the special customer service providers, crying about bureaucratic offices or sulking over lack of food choice in Jerusalem, it’s normally me and not my skinny friend and co-blogger Rebecca who uses this as a forum for complaint.
But today the only tears you will find are those of great joy. What could make me feel this way? Did I hear you say food? That’s right, I’m giving you two reasons to put the frustration aside and literally eat up the good news.
Reason #1: The Ye Old English Tea Room
Friends, the Ye Old English Tea Room is not only a super cute café, but more importantly they serve pancakes, French toast and real maple syrup. If you close your eyes you can actually imagine you are having brunch on a real Sunday, 
even if they only serve breakfast on Friday. The rest of their menu has a more classical English style taste, but everything is very fresh and only cooked after you order it.
I have been there twice and walked away happy each time. The first time I ordered a sandwich sampler and then shared my plate with my friends who had ordered equally delicious items from cranberry breads and scones to traditional potato pies. They also have traditional teas and tomato juice (that they bring with Tabasco 
sauce, Worchester sauce and salt and pepper- a meal in itself).
My second trip was a Friday so naturally I chose to have pancakes and skinny friend and co-blooger Rebecca had French toast. We both enjoyed the meal practically licking the plate (well maybe that was just me). The meals cost around NIS 45-55, so if you are two people you will spend around NIS 100- that’s not too bad! And of course I have added a link to an Eluna 10% discount coupon for all us shekel pinchers!
I said it earlier, but the café is beautifully designed, with lots of light, exquisite colors and decorative furniture, not to mention a little play house for the kids. And you’ll also find a guest book where you can add suggestions. What did I say: I asked that there be a bottomless pot of coffee that comes with a breakfast meal and that of course the breakfast meal should be served daily!
Click here to get your 10% coupon
Reason #2: Rumor has it Mexican food is coming our way!
If you recall, in an earlier post about the lack of Mexican food, I pooped my pants over the deficit of any real salsa to be found across Jerusalem. The post generated other angry citizens that too were frustrated with the burrito-less city — but break out the tamales because Mexican is making a comeback! According to a comment on the post, Benyamin 
writes: Good News! Long time Israel resident and Canadian guy ‘Mike’ (formerly of Mike’s Place – not the founder) has opened ‘Mike’s Kitchen’ in association with Yankee’s Bar near Zion Square. So why is this good news? Because he is developing a menu that includes some Mexican favorites and this former Angelino is assisting him. While the menu is a bit on the eclectic side, the Mexican dishes will be authentic Los Angeles taquiera style food. You know, Sonora with the L.A. touch!”
Don’t let the tears drip on the computer keys, but take it all in. The restaurant is set to open at the end of June, just in time for summer burritos every day of the week! Benyamin later wrote he hopes to add his own, “personal enchiladas, hand-made frijoles and tortilla chips with red and avocado salsas,” for the big opening day. Benyamin, tell us where and when and we will be there, drooling and ready!
CNN World Report: Jerusalem’s YMCA Preschool
This week my piece for Israel21C on Jerusalem’s YMCA Preschool was on CNN World Report. It starts around 9 minutes. I love this show because it takes news stories from around the world to show what’s going on in those countries, as opposed to what the media thinks is most relevant in those places.
The Big Felafel 