by seymouria
Sat Mar 09, 2013 12:10 pm
When I was looking for a room to rent in Brussels, the posts (especially this one) in this and other forums around, helped me a lot in not getting fooled. Googling the e-mail address of those replies, I found the warnings of people who had been scammed or at least got close to it.. So, I thought I would share my experience for those who in the future would have the pleasure of getting in touch with the amazingly inventive frauds-ters.
I encountered two e-mails that gave me the not-so-good feeling:
Winners Kings <[email protected]>
elisa Burgzorg <[email protected]>
What made me suspicious in both cases, was at first place the choice of e-mail address, and the interesting names, and after I was being asked to make an advanced payment by Western Union, I had no choice but to check out on the internet for similar cases.
Below is the sequence of e-mails we exchanged, so you can make your own conclusions..
1st case:
My first mail:
Reply (no pictures were attached):
I was quite stupid, and obviously replied:
To this, I received a reply (there were indeed pictures, which looked quite strange):
I, quite stupidly again, asked if I can first see the apartment before paying anything, and as you can imagine, I received no answer to that.. it just made me waste some time..
2nd case:
I found this one on craigslist.com and wrote:
And of course, the answer was:
> Hello,
>
>
> Kindly accept apology for my late response to your email. I think i should briefly tell you about who i really am and a little about the room in question.
> a
> To start with, it is necessary to know something about me which is more important in any flat share ( knowing something about someone you want to share a flat
>
> with). My name is Taylor in my 20's. I have been working and studying since my early 20's. I earned my first degree Business Economics in London, after that my
>
> mother insisted that i take a 6 months course in the humanitarian field which made me traveled to Luxembourg to study Public Administration. Oh ..i almost
>
> forget, i did an internship with CIC group (France) before returning back to Brussels.
>
> I have been staying alone in this flat since my mother decided to moved to New york with my siblings, taking care of my father's property in the USA. I have so far traveled to more than 18 countries and still counting because its fun doing what you know how to do best.
>
> Regarding the rent, the flat is a 2 bedroom apartment with all room en-suite. I currently occupy one of the rooms and one vacant with no intention of renting it
>
> but now am presently with my Company in London,United Kingdom to work With Government and Mrs. Smith(mom) doesn't like it when the flat is empty
>
> for weeks without anyone living there and so we decided to rent the second room at affordable rate but with the motive of someone being around whenever i am
>
> away and the beauty maintained.
>
> The flat is well furnished to the family's taste, large living room, kitchen utensils look new, big freezer in the kitchen, a fireplace, sound system, TV connected to
>
> cable, wifi, air condition available, gas cooker and micro-wave also available in the kitchen. Each room has a big sizable bed, wardrobe and a table for reading or
>
> PC usage purpose.
>
> Address
> maurice lemonnier, 13
> Brusells
> Brussels 1000
> Belgium
>
>
> Monthly rental fee: 300 euro utilities included
> A refundable security deposit of 400 euro
>
> Please Note:
> 1. The security deposit is refundable upon verification of the room which you rented to be in good order. Both payment (first two month rent plus security
>
> deposit) is to be made once to me
>
> 2. Both long and short term contract is available i.e. month-month rental is welcome. Normally, initial 1 to 3 months rents is preferable for short term basis
>
> thereafter you can renew the contract before the expiry of the previous one.
>
> Like i said in the beginning of my introduction, i will only be interested in people who are fun to be with, happy and whom we can both share experiences and
>
> learn from, whom we can work out things out together and not just being cold and frown all time, though you have your room for your privacy... I'm sure you
>
> understand where i am arriving at!
>
> It will be my pleasure to know some basic things about you if you would like to proceed with this rental procedure, i can afterward email you current pictures of
>
> the flat and the rooms available and how to proceed with the tenement contract which is another important stage.
>
> Regards
> Taylor
> +447024010576
I then wrote back giving some more details about myself (once again, I should had become aware before doing any of this), but the final reply I got was this one:
Finally, after seeing all this, I googled the e-mail address, and the warnings appeared.
Thanks to everyone who shared their experience so avoided getting scammed.
And to all people out there looking for anything to by or rent by other privates, my suggestion is to read carefully whatever mails you receive and never to pay anything if they are not sure where the money is going to.
I encountered two e-mails that gave me the not-so-good feeling:
Winners Kings <[email protected]>
elisa Burgzorg <[email protected]>
What made me suspicious in both cases, was at first place the choice of e-mail address, and the interesting names, and after I was being asked to make an advanced payment by Western Union, I had no choice but to check out on the internet for similar cases.
Below is the sequence of e-mails we exchanged, so you can make your own conclusions..
1st case:
My first mail:
Hello,
I saw your ad for the rooms you rent in Brussels and I wanted to know if the 250EUR rent is monthly or weekly.
I'm arriving in Brussels on the 12th January and I will need a room 6 months.
Please let me know if there are any rooms available and I would also appreciate if you could give me some more information: double/single room, location, additional expenses etc.
Regards,
S
Reply (no pictures were attached):
Attention,
Good to read from you, please check the pictures in attachment to enable you decide if
you are renting the apartment or not, as I won't be available for the flat viewing.
The apartment has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, one for the room
that has two beds and the other toilet is for the remaining two bedrooms.
Like i have said in the posting....the apartment belongs to my mother
and she has moved to another place to stay so she made decision to
mail the rooms out for rent in order to be kept clean and tidy.
The address is: Rue Stevin 105, 1000 Brussels. Belgium.
Meanwhile, the rent is 250 euros monthly includes w/g/e and the
security deposit (refundable after stay) is 300 euros.
Please note that the larger room (with 2 beds) is 350 euros monthly
includes w/g/e, how long are you staying in the apt. and i will like
to know more about you better.
If you are still having interest, let me know so that i can inform our
family lawyer.
Regards,
Elisa Burgzorg
I was quite stupid, and obviously replied:
Hello,
Thank you for the information, but unfortunately I see no files attached.
Could you please mail me again so that I can take a look at the rooms.
Regards,
S
To this, I received a reply (there were indeed pictures, which looked quite strange):
Attention,
Good to read from you, please check the pictures in attachment to enable you decide if
you are renting the apartment or not, as I won't be available for the flat viewing.
The apartment has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, one for the room
that has two beds and the other toilet is for the remaining two bedrooms.
Like i have said in the posting....the apartment belongs to my mother
and she has moved to another place to stay so she made decision to
mail the rooms out for rent in order to be kept clean and tidy.
The address is: Rue Stevin 105, 1000 Brussels. Belgium.
Meanwhile, the rent is 250 euros monthly includes w/g/e and the
security deposit (refundable after stay) is 300 euros.
Please note that the larger room (with 2 beds) is 350 euros monthly
includes w/g/e, how long are you staying in the apt. and i will like
to know more about you better.
If you are still having interest, let me know so that i can inform our
family lawyer.
Regards,
Elisa Burgzorg
I, quite stupidly again, asked if I can first see the apartment before paying anything, and as you can imagine, I received no answer to that.. it just made me waste some time..
2nd case:
I found this one on craigslist.com and wrote:
Hello,
I saw your ad about the room you are renting and I wanted to know whether it is indeed in Brussels and whether facilities expenses are included. I will need a room for 6 months.
Please contact me if the room is still available and I would appreciate if you could include some more details on location, equipment, whether it is a single/double room etc.
Regards,
S
And of course, the answer was:
> Hello,
>
>
> Kindly accept apology for my late response to your email. I think i should briefly tell you about who i really am and a little about the room in question.
> a
> To start with, it is necessary to know something about me which is more important in any flat share ( knowing something about someone you want to share a flat
>
> with). My name is Taylor in my 20's. I have been working and studying since my early 20's. I earned my first degree Business Economics in London, after that my
>
> mother insisted that i take a 6 months course in the humanitarian field which made me traveled to Luxembourg to study Public Administration. Oh ..i almost
>
> forget, i did an internship with CIC group (France) before returning back to Brussels.
>
> I have been staying alone in this flat since my mother decided to moved to New york with my siblings, taking care of my father's property in the USA. I have so far traveled to more than 18 countries and still counting because its fun doing what you know how to do best.
>
> Regarding the rent, the flat is a 2 bedroom apartment with all room en-suite. I currently occupy one of the rooms and one vacant with no intention of renting it
>
> but now am presently with my Company in London,United Kingdom to work With Government and Mrs. Smith(mom) doesn't like it when the flat is empty
>
> for weeks without anyone living there and so we decided to rent the second room at affordable rate but with the motive of someone being around whenever i am
>
> away and the beauty maintained.
>
> The flat is well furnished to the family's taste, large living room, kitchen utensils look new, big freezer in the kitchen, a fireplace, sound system, TV connected to
>
> cable, wifi, air condition available, gas cooker and micro-wave also available in the kitchen. Each room has a big sizable bed, wardrobe and a table for reading or
>
> PC usage purpose.
>
> Address
> maurice lemonnier, 13
> Brusells
> Brussels 1000
> Belgium
>
>
> Monthly rental fee: 300 euro utilities included
> A refundable security deposit of 400 euro
>
> Please Note:
> 1. The security deposit is refundable upon verification of the room which you rented to be in good order. Both payment (first two month rent plus security
>
> deposit) is to be made once to me
>
> 2. Both long and short term contract is available i.e. month-month rental is welcome. Normally, initial 1 to 3 months rents is preferable for short term basis
>
> thereafter you can renew the contract before the expiry of the previous one.
>
> Like i said in the beginning of my introduction, i will only be interested in people who are fun to be with, happy and whom we can both share experiences and
>
> learn from, whom we can work out things out together and not just being cold and frown all time, though you have your room for your privacy... I'm sure you
>
> understand where i am arriving at!
>
> It will be my pleasure to know some basic things about you if you would like to proceed with this rental procedure, i can afterward email you current pictures of
>
> the flat and the rooms available and how to proceed with the tenement contract which is another important stage.
>
> Regards
> Taylor
> +447024010576
I then wrote back giving some more details about myself (once again, I should had become aware before doing any of this), but the final reply I got was this one:
Hi ,
I am so happy reading from you knowing that we will soon complete
leasing protocols me assure you that my tenant.
he total amount you pay as a first timer is 1000euros for two month
rent and security deposit where 400 is
refundable if you end your stay nothing was destroyed, as agreed in
the apartment by you or your guests ..
There is no problem booking a apartment for you if you can follow these
procedures or terms of transaction and show some commitment by paying
a deposit and first month's rent which include utilities, so you do
not need to pay bills again.
I'm sorry I can not afford to send you the specifications now because
I need to confirm your full interest in my apartmentand if you can not
meet the conditions set r, and if after showing your interest right in
my room, so we can continue the contract.
Terms and conditions
1.You must read and understand and sign an agreement form that
guarantees that the apartmenthas been reserve for you.
2 .. The deposit and first month's rent must be paid to my self
through the money transfer money gram in London
To prepare the contract, please return to me with the details requested below:
Preparation of contracts
I want you to send me the following information:
- Your full name
- Moving and exit dates
-How many months that you want to file early.
- The address where you receive your copies of original documents and approval.
- A scanned copy of your identity for identity verification and I'll
send mine too on request.
Let me know if this is acceptable to you, because I have been deceived
by people who are not serious on this issue apartmentand that is why
my lawyer advised me to ask for the deposit and rent first month was
given to me before concluding an agreement with anyone.
Tell me if you can abide by the terms requested and get back to me
with the details required for the preparation of the contract to make
easier your move in.
Note: It takes two days for the original documents and the key contact
with you via courier service DHL worldwide and please make sure your
address is complete to prevent the documents and keys are sent to a
wrong address.
Best Regards.
Thanks
Taylor
+447024010576
Finally, after seeing all this, I googled the e-mail address, and the warnings appeared.
Thanks to everyone who shared their experience so avoided getting scammed.
And to all people out there looking for anything to by or rent by other privates, my suggestion is to read carefully whatever mails you receive and never to pay anything if they are not sure where the money is going to.