Rental Scammer - [email protected]

Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2015 21:54:33 +0300
Subject: Re: Tivoli Villas, Bangsar
From: [email protected]
To: Michelle Banks


Hello,

Thanks for taking the time to look at my property.
My name is Mark, I'm a retired engineer and I'm the owner of the apartment. Is full furnished with all necessary amenities (exactly like in the pics), has inbuilt wardrobe, living room with dining area, washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, fridge, etc. The apartment comes with one parking spot, a storage unit where you can deposit my furniture (if you don't like it and you want use your furniture). Pets allowed. Four months ago I moved to England, London at my sons place to take care of my 2 years old nephew. I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it, and I hope that you can send me some personal information about yourself.
The monthly rent for the apartment is RM 1,800. I want to receive first month in advance + 1,800 refundable deposit (RM3,600 TOTAL). The monthly rent will include all utilities such as water, electricity, Internet, cable, parking etc. I left the keys and contract already signed by me at a rental company and they will handle the payment and delivery for us.
If you want to know more about how this deal can work please get back to me ASAP and I will send you the details step by step.


Thank you and hope to hear back from you.
Mark

Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2015 10:04:36 +0300
Subject: Re: Tivoli Villas, Bangsar
From: [email protected]
To: Michelle Banks

Hi again,

Thank you for your reply. I am glad that you are still interested in my condo. If we decide to proceed with this transaction, I will have to contact iProperty.my and provide them all the necessary information, so they can start the process right away. For that I will need your Full NAME and address where you want to receive the keys/contract.
Next you will receive a notification message from iProperty.my containing all the instructions that you need to follow and the invoice as well. Regarding the Payment, you will be instructed to deposit the amount to an agent from iProperty.my. They will hold, lock and insure your money until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or
not (the iProperty.my Payment Services that I was telling you about in my previous email). As far as my concerns, I will be glad to know that iProperty.my has the possession of the money until you will decide if you want to rent the place or not. That is my insurance. Your money will be secured, the payment details will be held unavailable to me, so you are in total control of your money. When the transfer has been verified and locked in iProperty.my custody I will receive a notice that the deposit was
confirmed and I will request them to start the shipping (UPS/USPS 2 Days Delivery). The keys and rental contract will be delivered at your verified address in no more than 2 business days. You will be given a 2 days inspection period from the
day you receive the keys and contract at home. If you decide to hold the apartment, then you will have to authorize iProperty.my to release the funds to me, and the transaction will be completed. If you will not be satisfied with the apartment, you will send the keys and contract back through the same service and ask iProperty.my to return the funds to
you (you will not be charged). The amount will be refunded in max 24 hours after your request. I am sure you will love the apartment, but it is good to know that you do have this second option available. If you wish to proceed with renting the apartment,please provide me your full NAME and Address, so I can initiate the deal through iProperty.my right away, and of course please make sure that you have the money ready.
I look forward to hearing back from you. Thank you for your time and nice cooperation.

Regards!Mark

This person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union, MoneyGram, pre-paid credit card or bank transfer with a promise that you can have the keys to a property that does not belong to him.

Sounds safe. It's not!

At other times, he will ask for proof that you are able to pay the deposit and rent due to a string of time wasters.
This proof is in the form of a Western Union or MoneyGram payment to a lawyer,a friend or family member.

In either case, if payment is made and you give this person the details, they will collect the money.
You will not hear from them again.

All the details such as names, addresses, pictures etc. that the scammer uses in order to back up his story, are stolen from elsewhere.

If you are reading this because you are looking for property to rent, and you are in contact with this thief you are probably searching Craigslist, Gumtree or similar listing sites. If you receive any requests from 'Landlords' asking for some kind of payment before viewing, then it will also be a scam. Please forward the mail to me at the address in my signature line and I will investigate and list them if necessary.