apartment scam Utrecht

Welcome to Scamwarners rpalandri.

Wonderful news and well done on checking out this scammer.

The announce is no more visible, but I found it in the DBA website ("Den Blå Avis", a local paper and electronic announce services, http://www.dba.dk).

Good afternoon to everybody, and Dario: welcome to the club!

Right now, I'm in a search for a little, cheap apartment in the Copenhagen area. And, in the last 3 days, I've been faced with 4 scam attempts. 3 of those scammers have also posted their ads at http://www.dba.dk.

Last Friday I got in contact with some Polish guy, who was renting an apartment in Valby. I asked him some questions about this apartment, for example, if I'm allowed to keep pets, and for how long can I rent the place. I received an answer two days later, on Sunday. The name of the guy was different to the one which was mentioned in the ad. The mail was written in a rather poor Danish, mixed with words in English (I haven't really payed much attention to it, because Danish is not an easy language for an immigrant, and some people never learn this language properly).

He told me that he's stydying in the USA, and the apartment is his mother's, who died recently. And then, he told me he's gonne send me the keys to the apartment via DHL, after he'll get the depositum. That began to smell of fish, and I asked him, if it's possible to come and check the apartment out. As a reply, he wrote me a long e-mail, in which he claimed that the apartment cannot be shown to me, as he's afraid I might take it over and settle there He promised me that as soon as he'll receive my depositum, he'll supply me with both the keys and the address.


Yesterday, I wrote to further 2 "landlords", and one of them was an "italian" guy, and the other one was... the same Polish lad, who wrote exactly the same e-mail as on Sunday, but this time, the whole mail was in English And yes, a besautiful and reasonably-priced apartment, in the North of Copenhagen, once belonged to... his mother, who recently died! I almost envy this lady: it seems like she used to own PLENTY of apartments, before her tragic death

And at this very moment, I'm facing scam-attempts by another guy, who has a very Danish name (Claus Nielsen), but., from some reason, it seems like he can only correspond in Engish . He rents a full-furnished, very cosy apartment in Copenhagen, for only 4800 DKK, and that's the e-mail I received from him, just a few minutes ago:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi *****,
Thank you for answering me so quickly.

The apartment is ready for you, you will only have to receive the keys and the contract to check it and see if you like it! Obviously we need a way to complete the deal that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are after.In order of that I've found a safe and fast way to complete the deal and in this way you will receive the keys in less than 2 days.So because we can't make the deal face to face, I want to use an escrow service.
The solution is provided by a company called UPS which will handle both payment and delivery of the package.Through this way you will see it and decide if you will stay in the apartment or not before I receive my payment.The apartment is already furnished, but I can deposit my stuff into a storage if you want to bring your own.The transaction is very easy and secure for both of us!
Please let me know if you agree and I will explain you more about how we will do this.

Thanks again and wait news from you!

Sincerely, Claus

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

His e-mail is: [email protected]
I'm more than sure it's a scammer.

The "Polish" lad wrote me under the name of Pawel Jarmoluk. In one of the e-mails, he send me a "scan" of his passport (fake!). I deleted his mails, but I can still get them from my trash can, and I can upload the ohoto, if it can be used to anything...

It seems pretty worrying: it's the very first time I'm looking or an apartment to rent, I'm all alone in Denmark, and it seems like scammers are everywhere, trying to cheat people who can't really protect themselves... That's too low!

Welcome to Scamwarners reginus.

This guide may help you http://www.scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3224

Also this posting guide http://www.scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3622

If you have any questions or concerns please post - we will help you all we can.

Hi there,

I just got scammed, I saw an ad on a real estate page with a private email adress in it.
I received an answer a few days later which told me that the owner is in the UK right now for a job and took the keys with her.
The girl offers the same TNT thing and the Money Transfer through an Western Union Agent.
I agreed and got an official looking eMail from TNT, I was stupid enough to think, it would be ok, if TNT is involved.
So I sent the money to the "payment agent" and got another eMail 2 days later, that due to some australian real estate laws, I have to sent more money ( another 2 months rent). After that I was very alarmed.

So is there anyway I can get my money back?
Do you would like to have the email addresses used?

Thanks
Alex

Unfortunately, your money is gone. Everything the scammer told you is fake--names, addresses, storyline are all made up. The real person you communicated with is an African, who is not even in Australia. If there is really an apartment at the address you were given, the scammer has never actually seen it and does not own it.

By posting the scammer's emails to you along with any email addresses and phone numbers used, you can help prevent others being scammed (and keep the scammers from making even more money by scamming.)

Just like I thought it, so I had to learn it the hard way.
Can't believe that happened to me.

The email addresses which were used were the following:
[email protected]
[email protected]
The receivers name used was:
Nathan Reeds

Thanks anyway

I'm so sorry that you were a victim of these scammers, oz2009 A good rule to follow, is to never, ever send money via Western Union for renting an apartment.

Hey

I cant believe how lucky i was to see your website i was just double checking a so called apartment in Brisbane Australia which we were due to pay $2,000 dollars for throught this TNT scam with western union payment, i was going to deposit the money in less than 7 hours and am so happy to have seen your site and realise it actually was too good to be true i had the exact same in "london working have apartment keys with me, you have 2 days to see if you like the apartment or not" blah blah!! the email address i was talking to is [email protected] and i was supposed to sent the money by western union to Alfred Perks a TNT agent and email him the details of MCTN to [email protected] Thank you so much for this site as we have litrally been saving every penny and some was a family loan to get this deposit up and to lose that would have been a disaster and not a very nice easter present!!

I hope no one elses gets done by this scam i found the property on www.realestate.com.au and there was another property for melbourne from the same contact email address i hope they read this and escape this horrible scam

Again Thank you so much!!

Welcome here, romper. Glad you found us before sending money.

Here's another foreign scammer, who posted an annonce on DBA.dk:

Koraganji Mohan Kant <[email protected]>

Thanks for the prompt message and for the interest in my apartment but unfortunately i wouldn't be able to come around to show you the apartment but will make provision of getting across to you for the inspection of the apartment such as the keys to get access to the apartment.


The apartment is available to move in anytime from now..


The apartment is located at Amagerfælledvej, DK-2300 Copenhagen S.


The rent is 4,500dkk monthly rent including consumption.


Willing to lease the apartment for 2years or more.


I think you are familiar with Amagerfælledvej, the apartment is located by the road side and some few miles to the junction.


If interested, kindly get back to me with your details such as your name and your physical address including your phone number so as i could make adequate arrangement with my lawyer for the LEASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT if truly you are interested in my apartment.

Thank you.

Mohan.

"His" photo:

Hey Guys,

Im actually in the process of being scammed by one of these. Myself & my wife saw an apartment in Brisbane which was too good to be true. I googled apartment scams and came across this site. Thank you so so much. You have saved me $2.6k. I hope these reprobates get what they deserve, If I ever meet these guys god help them. Anyhow thanks again, I feel so sorry of the other posters that parted with monies.

I made an enquiry about the apartment, below are the email details:
Web address of scam:
http://www.onthehouse.com.au/buy/property/42084978
http://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-R ... id=6559958

Her name is Natalie Attwater email address used was "[email protected]"

Email #1

"Hello,
Thanks for your response,i really appreciate your response,i am the owner of the apartment,it is located in 3002/3 Parkland Boulevard, Brisbane QLD 4000.I am presently on Transfer from my place of work to Rome/Italy to head our branch over there and presently my house is still available for rent for $325 p/w for the duration of time you want including bills and utilities like Linen, Washing Machine, Dryer, Iron, vacuum cleaner.

It is Newly furnished and equipped,the furniture's are new and well decorated.also it is located near public transport,there are shopping mall,Gym,schools and more better facilities in the area,below are some of the items in the house

- Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Freezer, Cooking rings, Oven, Dinnerware and serving pieces, Toaster, Coffee Maker, Kettle, Mixer..
- TV, cable TV basic access, Internet by ADSL-CABLE + WIFI ACCESS.

I want you to note that i am a kind and honest person and also i spent a lot on my property that i want to give you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this apartment and want you to treat it as your own.

Obviously we need a safe way to complete this deal that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are after.I have found a way for us to complete the deal fast (2 days) and easy. The solution is a worldwide delivery company called Royal Mail, they will provide assistance in handling the payment and delivery of the KEYS and LEASE AGREEMENT.With this procedure you will be able to check the apartment before I receive the payment.

Have a nice day!

Email #2
Hello,
I will be in rome until march 2013,so if it's possible i would rent it
for that period of time,or at least 6 months.

It's $325 per week for the apartment, the rent included all
utilities,Gas/Electricity/
Dishwasher/Telephone/Cable/Internet.You
should pay first 1 month rent + BOND so the total amount will be 2600.

The contents of the shipment you will be expecting are;

1. Bunch of keys to the property.

2. Documents containing the lease agreement and property description ,
including the property address.

3. Rent receipts and damage deposit receipts.



Like I said, I will pay for a 2 days delivery so you will receive the
Keys and the contract signed by me right away.I will explain to you
step by step how this will work .

1) First you will have to send me your full name and address. I will
need them for the shipping and papers.

2) I go to the Royalmail store and leave the Keys and the contract
onto your name as the intended receiver.

3) Royalmail will check the envelope to see if everything is OK with
it and also the legal papers that will come along with the Keys.

4) Royalmail will send you a delivery notification to let you know
they have the Keys and the papers in their custody.

5) At this point you will have to go to a Western Union Agent

Location and make a money deposit on the Royalmail payment agent name
for the amount we agreed (first month + 1300 bond deposit) .

6) After you make the deposit you will have to send the info about the
money deposit to Royalmail (MTCN, sender's name and address)

7) Royalmail will verify the payment informations and if everything is
in order they will deliver the Keys and the contract to you .

After you receive the package , You will go and check the apt and
in 2 days you must contact them and tell them if you keep the apt or
not, if all is in order you will instruct Royalmail to send me the
informations about the money deposit and I will be able to receive the
funds . If you don`t like the apt they will send your money back to
you and you will send them the keys and the contract to them.

I will pay Royalmail for the shipping and you will pay Western Union
for the Money Transfer fee .

Let me know if we can do this.

Regards Natalie Attwater.

I had the same situation

I tryed find apt in COPENHAGEN at DBA.DK.

I saw great apt for 4000 with inc. all stuf. It was to great to be true.

I had only email. Phone was invalid. She tell me (I am the owner of the apt)
And history:

Thank you for your interest.My name is Natasha Muah and from the internet add, you could see, i have available the apartment located in: 12 Upsalagade, Copenhagen 2100. It has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathrooms, 1 kitchen and 1 living room. I am looking for someone to live in it, as soon as possible, because my company has won the auction for a project, in construction, for a building that will rise up in Greece, Athena. I am a civil engineer, so my accommodation period in Athena will be about 4 years. The rental period is at least 5 months and maximum 4 years. As a result of this I want to rent, for this period, at this price and also to find the perfect person for my apartment. I`m the owner of the apt and it’s like in the pics.
The apartment is furnished, but I have the option of sending all my furniture into storage if you want to bring your own (no extra costs). The rent for 1 month is 4000 DKK, but you must to deposit 8000 DKK/2months (for the whole apartment) including all utilities (water, electricity, Internet, cable). You can move in the apt in the same day when you receive the keys. The only problem is that I`m the only person who has the keys but I hope that we will find a solution.

Thank you for your interest and I will look forward to hearing from you soon.

P.S. Please tell me if this is what are you looking for and reply my only if you are truly interested in the apt.


Of course she tell me about TNT and agent tnt, who should get money with using western union. And i will get nr. of package after payments. Then I can take keys and rental contract.

I chcecked apt and i asked neighbours about that person. And they was sure, she is not a owner.
But im am lucky i didnt sent money but i sent as attachment my and my girlfriend ID and yellowcards.

So i having a question. How do you think if they can use my and my girlfriend ID's. Maybe they work like that. they using victoms ids as owners apt.

I think going to police and tell them about it. Because she having my personal things. Then will be my cover for future.


then you should thinked maybe the Mohan K.Kant is a victom like me :/ greetings for all and i wait for more info....

Welcome here Hanoman and vwsantana.

@vwsantana: The scammer could use your ID for other scams, and even sell them to other scammers to use. There's not much you can do other then report it to the police.
I'm glad you both didn't pay the scammer.

The same thing has just happened to me in New Zealand!

I was looking for an apartment in Sydney Australia and found one that was too good for the price offered. They advertised on realestate.com.au and I got contacted by Valentina Craparo [email protected]

I was about to head to the Western Union agent and decided to google 'TNT Global Air Express Scams' and found your site. YOU GUYS SAVED ME $2000. THANK YOU

Here are the details/emails for anyone interested:

from Valentina Craparo <[email protected]>
to me
date 28 September 2010 14:33
subject Re: realestate.com.au Enquiry: 9111572 - 57 Liverpool street SYDNEY 2000
mailed-by gmail.com
Signed by gmail.com

hide details 28 Sep (8 days ago)

Hello,
Thank you for your interest. The apartment is still available but now I'm in Milano, Italy with my job. I will stay here for 3 years so this is the reason why I want to rent the apartment . I'm the owner of the apartment and it looks exactly like in the pictures. The rent for 1 month is 10.000HK including all utilities (water, electricity, internet,cable, parking). You can move in the apt in the same day you receive the keys. I must inform you that the keys from the apartment are with me and I hope that we will find a way to make this happen.
Thanks.
p.s. this is a full rent not a share


from Valentina Craparo <[email protected]>
to Me
date 29 September 2010 00:27
subject Re: realestate.com.au Enquiry: 9111572 - 57 Liverpool street SYDNEY 2000
mailed-by gmail.com
Signed by gmail.com

hide details 29 Sep (8 days ago)

Obviously we need a way to complete this deal that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are after. I have found a way for us to complete the deal safe and fast. In this way you will receive the Keys in less than 2 days, if you move fast as well. The solution is provided by a company called TNT which is similar to Fedex, DHL or UPS, which will handle the payment and delivery of the Keys.
Through this way you will see the apartment and decide if you will stay or not before I receive my payment. Please click on the link bellow to the TNT website to see how we can complete the deal safely and fast directly from the website of the company where the procedure is explained:
http://www.tnt.com/express/en_gb/site/h ... vices.html
Let me know if you are interested please because I really need to take care of this matter by the end of the next week.
Regards,


from Valentina Craparo <[email protected]>
to Duane Fernandes <[email protected]>
date 29 September 2010 21:13
subject Re: realestate.com.au Enquiry: 9111572 - 57 Liverpool street SYDNEY 2000
mailed-by gmail.com
Signed by gmail.com

hide details 29 Sep (7 days ago)


Like I said, I will pay for a 2 days delivery so you will receive the Keys and the contract signed by me right away.I will explain to you step by step how this works .
1) First you will have to send me your full name and address. I will need them for the shipping.
2) I go to the TNT store and leave the Keys and the contract onto your name as the intended receiver.
3) TNT will check the envelope to see if everything is OK with it and also the legal papers that will come along with the Keys.
4) TNT will send you a delivery notification to let you know they have the Keys and the papers in their custody.
5) At this point you will have to go to a Western Union Agent
Location and make a money deposit on the TNT payment agent name for the amount we agreed (first month + 1000$ bond) .
6) After you make the deposit you will have to send the info about the money deposit to TNT (MTCN, sender's name and address)
7) TNT will verify the payment informations and if everything is in order they will deliver the Keys and the contract to you .
8) After you receive the package , You will go and check the apt and in 2 days you must contact them and tell them if you keep the apt or not, if all is in order you will instruct TNT to send me the informations about the money deposit and I will be able to receive the funds . If you don`t like the apt they will send your money back to you and you will send them the keys and the contract to them.
I will pay TNT for the shipping and you will pay Western Union for the Money Transfer fee .
Let me know if we can do this.
Thank you,


from Valentina Craparo <[email protected]>
to Duane Fernandes <[email protected]>
date 5 October 2010 20:26
subject Re: realestate.com.au Enquiry: 9111572 - 57 Liverpool street SYDNEY 2000
mailed-by gmail.com
Signed by gmail.com

hide details 20:26 (16 hours ago)

Hello, I have delivered the keys to the company you should receive confirmation from them soon. Please complete the steps from their notification so we can conclude the deal. Please check your BULK/JUNK email folder maybe the confirmation arrives there as it arrived to me. Thanks and i look forward for your email
p.s. Try to complete the payment Wednesday or Thursday so we can avoid delays

hi

i am based in Hong KOng and I got some email from valentina craparo after i saw an apartment for rent on Asixpat.
exactly same emails as you received.

of course the name is a fake and to make all the deal more credible they also sent me the copy of identity documents that they stole from the true valentina.

we have to spread the voice around as much as possible.

cheers
natali