Room for Rent and other rental scams
by ktyprincess Fri Aug 06, 2010 4:21 pm
Dear all,

I have just discovered a few scammers. I am currently looking for flats in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, as I will study there from September. I went on www.expatriates.com and found really good looking studios for great prices. So I wrote to the respective owners, to about 12 of them. I was surprised to see that all of them replied within 10-12 hours, saying that their flats are all available and they are happy that I contacted them. I was naive enough to consider myself lucky. I noticed from the beginning that they all wrote in the same manner, with the same English mistakes, mentioning the same characteristics of the property (30sqm room, 80sqm apartment, 8 minutes from the nearest supermarket, 1.2km from the nearest metro station). I thought they had to fill in a form and maybe come out with a standard reply. As I answered to their emails, I realized that the similarities were even more obvious (the fact that somehow they had all moved to the UK and gave me a UK number), so I googled as soon as I saw that they all sent me a fragment saying that I need to pay via Western Union and they will send me the keys via DHL Express (with the same English mistakes in all 3 emails). I will copy-paste some of them:

"Hello

Thanks so much for your email regarding to my apartment,my apartment is still very much available for rent.Here are some important information about the apartment.
The apartment is located at Asterstraat 10, 3073 Rotterdam, The Netherlands and it just about 1.2km distance to its metro station,the apartment spacious is about 80sqm and a room is about 30sqm, restaurant and public transport all around and it's 8mins walking distance to the supermarket, so it's located in a very nice and safe area in Rotterdam.
Surface: 32m2, 861 ft2
Bedroom: 1
Bathroom: Yes together with toilet
Kitchenroom: Yes
Livingroom: Yes
Rent Amount: 400EUR monthly
Deposit: 500EUR
Furnished: Yes
Floor: 1
Min period: 1 months
Max period: 2 Years
Utility costs: included
Available: Immediately

The property is situated on the 1st floor of a fairly large modern apartment complex. There is an elevator,The nicely decorated living room in the front has a loggia with large glass doors, which can opened completely in summer. The open kitchen is fully equipped with all appliances. The spacious bathroom offers a bath as well as a shower, The toilet is also together with bathroom,the deposit is refundable when parking out without any lost or damage of my apartment.

Attached are some pics of how my apartment looks like. Kindly let me know if you will be interested in renting my apartment so that we can proceed further.You can simply reach me on +447045715594 or +4470457 40615 for further discussion on the apartment.
Best regards
Ruben"

"Hello 'X',
Thanks for the mail. the rent is 480 with the untilities and the Erasmus university is very close to my apartment.The nearest metro station is Maashaven and it is 0.5km to my apartment.You can take a look at google map.My apartment is well furnished and well decorated with alot of facility such as:: Wireless internet facilities, Phone, TV,Microwave, Dish washer, washing machine, Dryer, Refrigerator, Bathroom, Toilet, Bedroom, kitchen, utility room and the bills is included in the rent amount and also you will be using all the facility alone without sharing with anybody.but presently am not available in rotterdam for now as am presently in united kingdom to complete my work with vodafone company and am here with my family and my keys, that is the main reason why am renting out my apartment because i don't want my apartment to be dusty when i get back.
Actually i should have left the keys but i dont like the way the house Agent cheated on my tenant and i dont want my apartment to be use anyhow in my absence thats is the main reason why i took the keys along with me here in united kingdom.Please I want you to note that,I am a kind and honest man and also I spent alot of money 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,is that taken,it is not the money the main problem but want you to keep it tidy all the time so that I will be glad to see it neat when i came for a check up.I do that once in a while.I also want you to let me have trust in you as i always stand on my word.
So I hope you can promise us to take very good care of our apartment.but all you need to do is to go straight to the address i sent you and view the apartment but i want you to have it in mind that you will not have full access into the apartment as it is locked and i am here with the keys.
Thats why i sent you those pics so that you can have an idea of how my appartment looks like.Kindly get back to me so that i can tell you on how to get my apartment reserved .
Regard
Ruben"

"Thanks for the mail. i understand all you are saying but i want you to know that am not after the money,All i want is someone who will help me take good care of my property in my absence and when i contact my lawyer here in uk,He made a suggestion which i think is all right because it will safe and secure both parties and what he said is going to content all our information.And also i will be sure that my keys is going to safe handed.

For you to get the place reserved we will both sign a rental agreement contract which will be prepared by my lawyer then i will post the keys of the apartment and the payment receipt to you via DHL express (1-2 days delivery ) after your deposit payment which is your first month rent and the security deposit has been confirmed.

Do get back to me with the below information so that we can proceed further:

Your full name:
Your full address:
Nationality:
Passport id:
Phone number:
Date of birth:
Move in date and out:

I shall be waiting for the above information soonest. Please make sure you send me your correct current address because i would use that in posting down the keys and the payment receipt to you after we must have concluded the contract.

Best regard
Ruben"

Another one:
"Hello

Thanks for getting back to me for the details of the flat .. I am a Wedding Planner and i travel a lot so i often stay in my apartment.But for now i am not in Rotterdam now, i just secure a new job here in Dundee, so am willing to rent out, a charming and sophisticated apartment well furnished and well equipped .. 2-bedrooms apartment is offered for rent fully
furnished.Surfacing about 120sq meter for a room, it has been totally renewed and it is close to the main shopping areas and public Transportation ...
EQUIPMENTS
Cupboards, U.S. kitchen fully equipped, and a bathroom with shower are some of the assets of the flat. Autonomous heating, secure door, code,Inter ....phone with fast internet connection in the flat Equipment,fridge, washing
machine, antique oven, microwave, TV, desk,spacious closet, and tons of storage space all around, all zone dvd player,Each bedroom has its private bathroom and toilet ...
COST
Two bedroom flat will cost you 600 per month with a security deposit of 900 refundable at the end of your stay if nothing is reported missing or damage in the flat during your stay and if you are renting only one room out of the apartment it will cost you 400 per month and has deposit of 600.if you are okay with the price of the apartment then get back to me and mind you, i will not be around for the viewing of the apartment now, but i can attach the pictures of the place for you to Have a look at what you are renting from me .. Get back to me for the other details of the apartment ........

Regards"

"Hello ,

Thanks for your interest in my offer for the apartment,the apartment is located at Ochterveltstraat 39 3015 Rotterdam, Nederland.The apartment it will cost you 600 with utilities per month and a deposit of 900 which is refundable at the end of you stay if nothing is damage or returned after 30days if i am satisfied with the way you manage and care for the apartment.so if i have answer your questions,so here is the next step for the reservation ,you will make
the reservation for the apartment and sign the rental agreement contract after this,i will post the spare keys of the apartment to your address .the money will be transfer to my name and address in Dundee via western union money transfer,i would have ask you to wire the payment to me via Bank Account but am new here,and i have not open any Bank Account ,but it will be essay for me to claim the money from you via this method... so for the contract to be prepared,i will be needing this details from you
your full name and address
passport id number
date of birth
date of moving in and out to my flat
Get back to me with this details for the contract to start.

Regards"

And another one:

"Hello X,
Thanks for the mail, i am so happy to let you know that the apartment is still very much available for rent.Here are some important information about the apartment. The apartment cost 450euro per month including all bills such as,washing machine, water,electricity,gas,central heating,internet e.t.c plus 500euro for security deposit payment which is refundable while packing without any lost or damage of my properties.The apartment is located at s-Gravenwetering 20,3062 Rotterdam Netherlands and it just about 1.2km distance to its metro station,the apartment spacious is about 80sqm and a room is about 30sqm, restaurant and public transport all around and it's 8mins walking distance to the supermarket, so it's located in a very nice and safe area in Rotterdam.
Attached are some pics of how my apartment looks like. Kindly let me know if you will be interested in renting my apartment so that we can proceed further.
You can simply reach me on +447045730253,+447011173785 for further discussion on the apartment
Best regards
Aaron"

"Hello X,
Thanks for the fast response,but am not available in Rotterdam for now as i am presently in UK with my family working thats why am renting out my apartment, I will be willing to rent out my apartment to you,i want you to please do take very good care of my apartment for me in my absence.
For you to get the place reserved we will both sign a rental agreement contract which will be prepared by my lawyer then i will post the keys of the apartment and the payment receipt to you via DHL express (1-2 days delivery ) after your deposit payment which is your first month rent and the security deposit has been confirmed.
Do get back to me with the below informations so that we can proceed further:
Your full name:
Your full address:
Nationality:
Passport id or your job contract:
Phone number:
Date of birth:
Move in date and out:

I shall be waiting for the above informations soonest. Pls make sure you send me your correct current address because i would use that in posting down the keys and the payment receipt to you after we must have concluded the contract.

Best regard
Aaron"

"Hello X,
Am not in Scotland,i mean United Kingdom London,I don't have any other picture apart from the one i sent you yesterday,i took them when am living Rotterdam and that is how my apartment really look like.That is more reason we both need to sign a rental agreement,so we can both be in a save hand with the law.As for the monthly rent,you will be sending it to my bank account here in United kingdom once is activated.
Hope to read from you soon.
Regards
Aaron"

Another one:
"ello,
I really appreciate your prompt reply and thanks for your interest in my apartment. Actually I resided in the house with my family before i got a new job and presently packed toUnited kingdom due to my work so i moved to United kingdom with my Son. I really need to be sure of your seriousness regarding obtaining my apartment and i hope you're serious about this flat as i have a lot of people interested to rent and some people have wasted my time before in the past. Await your reply back so i can send you the rent application form, so that we can make some progress.

INTERNET:
Yes, Broad Band Access 20M unlimited wire and wireless

THE APARTMENT COST: (550 Euro Per Month) Deposit of 250 Euro For The Keys To Be Send

will like you to get back to me with the information below:

Maximum stay:
Flatmate Description:-
Personal info:-
Household info:-
Age:-
Smoker:-
Pet:-

Best Regards.

Collins."

And another one:

"Hello,
Thanks for your reply and am sorry for the late in reply, Actually I lived in the house with my family; my wife and My only daughter Before and now have packed because of theRelocation of my church and i'm now located in United Kingdom, and now my Flat is still Available.
But can still come around if we both agree on a perfect date and time to meet. Now that I am here in United Kingdom For missionary work.
But ,what i am requesting for is the assurance that you are going to pay me and an evidence that you have the money to pay at hand when i come around, because i have heard on several times whereby some people said they are interested and after viewing and like the flat and love to occupy.later they will also tell me to reduce the amount for them or will pay me later once they get a good job..in For now i need your suggestion,because i cant afford to waste my time.
TYPE:
2 bedroom apartment
INTERNET:
Yes, BroadBand Access 20M unlimited ADSL, wire and wireless THE APARTMENT COST: ( 500 euro Per Month) Deposit of 200 euro.
Utilities include: electricity, gas, cable, phone, internet wiffi,air condition,wardrobe and so on and i will like you to get back to me with the information below:
Maximum stay:
Flatmate Description
Personal info:
Household info:
Address:
Phone Number:
Age:
Smoker:
Pet:
Room and apartment description
Features: Flat, Floor #, Parking available,
No parking cost, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
Neighbourhood: N/A Home amenities: Alarm system, Cable
ready,Washer/Dryer,Dishwasher,
Microwave, Kitchen access,
Storage. House amenities: Furnished, Air conditioning, Private
entrance, Private bath, Phone jack, TV, Cable jack, Closet..
Hope you like it?Get back to me with your full name and full contact detail to prepare the RENT APPLICATION FORM......
Regards....."

"Hello ,
Thanks for the mail, but i will like you to know that everything it believe,so what i can only say is that ,you will have to pay the money first and after then ,i will send the document and keys through DHL to the address you send to me and the tracking number will be sent to you so that you can possible occupy our house and one more thing i will like you to know that the payment will be have to be made via western union money transfer to my information.And aslo here is my phone # below....

+447024048461

I await to read from you as soon as possible.Thanks"

"Thanks very much for your reply and also i can see your willingness in this rent and how is work?Hope great!!! So as i shall be giving you our house,pls again take care of the house so that i might be glad when coming at the end of (DEC) to visits you and your friend.How are you and you do you reply so late,Anyway,Hope everything is fine with you. However,if you are ready to rent the house now,then that will not be a problem but we will advice you due to a responsible person like you,and also we would like to send the following document to you via the DHL to the address you send to me and the tracking number will be sent to you so that you can possible occupy our house,Pls once again,we are giving you this on trust and do not dissapoint us and i promise you that,you will love the house. So i am with the below document here with me and i will like to know whether you are ready for the payment of this first month because i shall be coming by month end to check on you so that i can know how you take care of our house for us and if it is okay by me,then i shall be collecting the next month fee from you by myself.

Here are the contents of the document.
1) Entrance and the rooms Keys
2)Paper/Permanent house form(Containing your reference details)
3)The house documentary file.
4)Payment Receipt.
5)Full address and description of the house.

So pls get back to me today so that you can get in touch with my information for receiving the payment.
I await your reply ASAP.
Regard and God bless you
Thanks"

The only problem in this last message is that I never mentioned any friend that would live with me and he said he would come to visit me and my friend.

I will keep you posted, as one of them is in Dundee and I am in Edinurgh right now, so I will suggest going to Dundee (120km) to have the contract signed and have him give me the key and I would pay the rent and deposit, just to see how far he goes.

Therefore, just be careful if you see any of the following names: Philip Cada, Olierook Rogza, Aaron Lam,
Collins Renne, Ruben Ruben, Antonio Kelly, Anthony Wesley. Take care!
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by David Jansen Sat Aug 07, 2010 6:54 am
Welcome here ktyprincess.

Don't bother writing to that last one, as soon as you mention coming over to fetch the keys, he will stop writing to you as that is not the way this scam runs. Or he will find another excuse to make you pay, but in this case i don't think he will bother.
Those +4470 numbers are re-direct phone numbers, which will re-direct your call to any phone anywhere in the world.

I live in the Netherlands, but not close to Rotterdam, so if you have a specific question about a room from someone you think might be genuine, but you have some doubts, just ask.

Being a victim doesn't mean you stand alone. We're here to help you.
by Michelle Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:44 am
Welcome to Scamwarners.com luxsili

It would help us, and others searching for the 'landlord's' details if you would post the complete e-mail that you have received from the two e-mail addresses that you have mentioned.

Just be sure to remove your own personal details before submitting.
by ilaciospina Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:22 pm
Hi!
Fortunatly I've found this post!
I've contact "Aaron k. Lam" too..I was looking for an apartment in Stockholm and I've found his post.
I've received THE SAME MAIL than you: the same apartment, the same distance from metro and shop..only the address was different, obviously.
After some mails, he's send me a copy of his passport and a copy of the agreement..thanks to you I won't sign it!
Here is a copy of his mail..

Hello,
Thanks for the mail, i am so happy to let you know that the apartment is still very much available for rent.Here are some important information about the apartment. The apartment cost 4000SEK per month including all bills such as,washing machine, water, electricity, gas,central heating,internet e.t.c plus 4900SEK for security deposit payment which is refundable while packing without any lost or damage of my properties.The apartment is located at Karlavägen 12, 113 57 Stockholm, Sweden and it just about 1.2km distance to its metro station,the apartment spacious is about 80sqm and a room is about 30sqm, restaurant and public transport all around and it's 8mins walking distance to the supermarket, so it's located in a very nice and safe area in Stockholm.
Attached are some pics of how my apartment looks like. Kindly let me know if you will be interested in renting my apartment so that we can proceed further.
You can simply reach me on +447045730253,+447011173785 for further discussion on the apartment
Best regards
Aaron

Hello,
Thanks for the mail,Yes is possible for your friend to view the apartment and is only one bedroom apartment and is at the second floor of the building,but am not available in Stockholm for now as i am presently in England with my family working thats why am renting out my apartment but all he need to do is to go straight to the address i sent you and view the apartment but i want you to have it in mind that your friend will not have full access into the apartment as it is locked and i am here with the keys.
That is why i sent you those pictures so that you can have an idea of how my apartment looks like,Awaiting to your respond as soon as possible so that i can explain to you on how you going to reserved my apartment.
Best regards
Aaron

Thanks for the response and i do appreciate your interest in renting my apartment.I will be willing to rent out my apartment to you,i want you to please do take very good care of my apartment for me in my absence.
For you to get the place reserved we will both sign a rental agreement contract ,then i will post the keys of the apartment and the payment receipt to you via DHL express (1-2 days delivery ) after your deposit payment which is your a month rent and the security deposit has been confirmed.
Do get back to me with the below informations so that we can proceed further:
Your full name:
Your full address:
Nationality:
Passport id or your job contract:
Phone number:
Date of birth:
Move in date and out:

I shall be waiting for the above informations soonest. Please make sure you send me your correct current address because i would use that in posting down the keys and the payment receipt to you after we must have concluded the contract.

Best regard
Aaron

Hello Ilaria,
Good Day, Attached is the signed contract and a copy of my passport. Kindly print it out, sign it and have it scanned back to me. I am also happy to have your current address with me as i will post down the keys to your address via DHL express overnight delivery as soon as i confirm your payment when is made.
Below is my information needed to make the payment to me via western union:

Name: Aaron K. Lam

Address:6 Islandreagh Drive, Dunadry, Antrim BT41 2HA, United Kingdom

Kindly get back to me with the senders name, senders address, and the 10 digits MTCN( money transfer control number). You can also send me a scanned copy of the payment receipt from western union. Once i get the information from you today, i will go ahead with the posting of the keys tomorrow and also send you the shipment code . I wish you a very happy stay in my apartment.
I shall be waiting for the signed copy of the contract and that of the payment receipt from western union.
Regards
Aaron

this is the link of the offer:
http://housing.justlanded.com/en/Sweden ... on-1151916


I HOPE TO BE USEFUL!!!
Ilaciospina

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