MEMBER ALERT: Stolen Appliances
January 9, 2012 -- A Member has reported that during the week of December 19, a newly built vacant home he had listed in the Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue area was broken into.
Approximately $40,000 worth of new appliances was stolen from the $2.8 million property, which was also damaged, requiring $10,000 in repairs.
Although the lockbox went missing from the front entry, it is believed that the thieves accessed the home through the back door.
The Member advises that colleagues have informed him that thefts at newly built vacant homes are becoming a more common occurrence.
The property’s locks have been rekeyed and the incident has been reported to police. Anyone with information about such occurrences is encouraged to contact Toronto Police.
Members are encouraged to review the Member Alert regarding a suspicious individual interested in receiving information on vacant homes currently listed for sale.
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MEMBER ALERT: Suspicious Buyer From Maryland
November 14, 2011 -- A Member has reported a suspicious occurrence involving a Buyer from Maryland who claimed to be very wealthy.
A local acquaintance, who developed a relationship with the Buyer via Skype after meeting him online, referred the Buyer to the Member in October.
Claming that he was worth more than $40 million, as a result of the sale of two businesses, an inheritance, and settlements from the untimely deaths of two siblings, the Buyer expressed interest in purchasing a home for cash in the Greater Toronto Area.
The Buyer’s criteria included a home gym; a media room; a large garage to accommodate cars, motorbikes and recreation vehicles; and potentially, land for horses.
The individual who established the online relationship was planning to marry the Buyer, and as such, she viewed a number of properties on the Buyer’s behalf with the Member.
An rural property north of Toronto listed for $1.3 million was chosen and the Member organized a conference call between the Member, the fiancé, the Buyer and the Seller to discuss a number of specifics about the property.
The Buyer indicated that he would like to close on the property before the end of November and agreed that prior to proceeding with an offer, he would provide identification, proof of funds, his lawyer’s contact information and a $100,000 certified cheque or wire transfer.
The documents and deposit, however, were not forthcoming. The Buyer claimed that his funds were frozen to protect him from a fraud attempt. Subsequently, the Member learned that the Buyer was not on title to the Maryland home he claimed to own, the purchase date was inconsistent with his version, and its value was less than $100,000 rather than the $750,000 he suggested.
After making numerous other excuses as to why the documents and deposit were not forthcoming, the Buyer suggested that the fiancé undertake the cash transaction in her name on his behalf. When the fiancé requested identification, the Buyer ceased all contact.
The Buyer, who the Member met via Skype, is described as 30 years old, with light brown hair and blue eyes. He wears a baseball cap and claims to have served in the United States military.
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MEMBER ALERT: Seller Requesting Loan
November 7, 2011 -- A Member has reported an incident involving a deal that fell through in the Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue area in August.
The Seller, who indicated he was acting on behalf of his elderly parents under Power of Attorney, accepted an offer on the property but did not disclose that he had taken out mortgages in excess of the amount offered on the home.
As the second mortgagee was unwilling to release the Seller from his obligations, the deal fell through. It has since come to the attention of the Member, who was acting on behalf of the Seller and the Buyer, that the Seller is soliciting other REALTORS® to re-list the property.
During the transaction, the Seller borrowed several thousand dollars from the Member, claiming that he needed the funds to move his parents into rental housing, and promising to repay the loan upon closing. He requested that the loan be provided in cash, claiming that it was a requirement of the rental company.
It was reported in the news media in 2010 that Toronto Police have charged the individual with multiple counts of fraud and forgery in connection with the restaurant industry.
The individual is described as approximately 5’8” tall, clean-shaven, with thick dark hair. He works exclusively with a cell phone and he does not have a land-based telephone line.
The Member who reported this concern indicated that other REALTORS® have also been victimized by this Seller’s request for a loan, to be repaid upon closing.
Members who wish to report concerns that may be related to this individual can visit any Toronto Police station or contact the main Toronto Police switchboard at (416) 808-2222.
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MEMBER ALERT: Rental Scam C01