Rental Scammer - [email protected]

From: Dan Ives <[email protected]>

To: Michelle Banks
Subject: Re: Adelaide place

Hi there,

Thank you for your prompt response. If you are still interested I agree to rent it to you. I promise you that you will love the place. You seem to be a nice person and I can assure you we will not have any kind of problems.
At this moment I'm located in London, United Kingdom and obviously you will have to see the apartment before discussing further details because you cannot rent an apartment that you haven't seen. I am willing to send you the keys so you can visit it and see if it suits your needs.
The delivery for the keys (keys for the apartment and storage unit, key-card access for parking and apartment door.) and lease agreement (signed by me), will be made through a worldwide third party company called SmartNewHomes (www.smartnewhomes.com) to make sure that we can trust each other.
You will only have to deposit to SmartNewHomes the first month of rent from contract and damage deposit a total of 1300CAD. You don't need to open an account with SmartNewHomes because this transaction is a rental and the Landlord must open the transaction.

Here is the procedure explained :

1 - To start the process all I need is your full info(full name, shipping address and a cell phone number where you can be reached)
2 - I will go at SmartNewHomes to deposit the keys and the contract on your name as the intended receiver.
3 - SmartNewHomes will check the package to see if everything is in order and also the legal papers that will come along with the keys and proof of ownership with their Real Estate Professional Department in London. They will also confirm with the building management that I'm the legal owner of the apartment I'm renting to you.
4 - SmartNewHomes will send you a delivery notification to let you know they have the keys and the papers in their custody. They will also send you all the payment instructions to complete the rental transaction.
5 - At this point you will have to make a money deposit on the SmartNewHomes payments representative for the amount we agreed, the total amount you shall deposit for the first month of rent and damage deposit. The payment needs to be sent within 24 hours after you receive the transaction details or else they will charge me an additional fee.
6 - After you make the deposit you will have to send the payment details to SmartNewHomes.
7 - SmartNewHomes will verify the transfer and if everything is in order they will start the delivery through licensed shipping company such as DHL or UPS.The delivery will take 2-3 business days.
8 - After you receive the package, you will go and check the apartment and in 5 days (inspection time) you must contact SmartNewHomes to inform them if you keep the apt or not and if everything is in order you will instruct SmartNewHomes to send me the information about the money deposit and I will be able to receive the funds. If you don`t like the apartment the pamyent will be full refunded to you. SmartNewHomes can NOT release the funds without your approval. Also the inspection time of 5 days will start from the moment you will be at the building.
Using SmartNewHomes involves three parties: me as owner, you as a potential tenant and SmartNewHomes as a responsible third party authorized to handle this transaction. SmartNewHomes works the same way as the escrow account on which you place the deposit when you rent an apartment, except that instead of a bank, we use SmartNewHomes. Of course, nobody can take that money until you will sign the lease agreement.

You need to know everything about the process before we get this started. I think is right for both of us. If you have any other questions you can reach me any time at: 44 20 3290 5493 (if you are calling from Canada or United States you need to dial 011-44-20-3290 5493) or you can email me and I will respond ASAP.

Let me know if you have the funds available (1300CAD$) so we can move forward and e-mail me your full information I requested.

Thanks

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.

I created an account just to pitch in. I received a very similar email.

From: "Philip Marte" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2015 12:03:51 PM
Subject: Re: Place for Rent

Hello,

My name is Philip Marte and I got an e-mail regarding your interest in my apartment in (address). I'm looking for someone to live in my apartment, because my company has won an auction for a big project in London, United Kingdom. I work as an engineer in telecom industry. I bought this apartment because the company I work for they had a project in Canada that was supposed to be for the next 4 years but unfortunately they canceled it. I am the single owner, the apartment is fully paid and no mortgage loan. The apartment is unoccupied since I no longer live there. The apartment is exactly like in the pictures, fully furnished, fully equipped, so you won't need anything to move in (you can also bring your own things furniture if you have). Pets are allowed.
The monthly rent for the whole unit is 830CAD with everything included (utilities, cable and internet-full package, 2 parking spots underground, laundry in-suite, washer and dryer). You can rent the apartment for an indefinite period. The price will not increase for the whole period that you will stay there. I would also like to know how many people will live in the apartment and also which rental contract do you prefer- 6 months or 1 year rental contract with option of renewal. I will be away for a period of 6 years and as you can see I'm not asking so much for it because I want to find a responsible tenant to take good care of the place. I'm not looking to make a business or a profit with the apartment. The monthly payments can be wired to my Bank Account or we can use any other payment method that is suitable for you.
About myself, I'm 40 years old, I'm married and we have a 5 years old daughter, and as I mentioned above I work as an engineer in telecom industry. I want to rent the place on my own so I need to know if you are really interested in the apartment.

Sincerely,
Philip

I replied saying I was interested, and he replied back with this

From: "Philip Marte" <[email protected]>
To: ----------
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2015 12:56:08 PM
Subject: Re: Place for Rent

Hi there,

Thank you for your prompt response. If you are still interested I agree to rent it to you. I promise you that you will love the place. You seem to be a nice person and I can assure you we will not have any kind of problems.
At this moment I'm located in London, United Kingdom and obviously you will have to see the apartment before discussing further details because you cannot rent an apartment that you haven't seen. I am willing to send you the keys so you can visit it and see if it suits your needs.
The delivery for the keys (keys for the apartment and storage unit, key-card access for parking and apartment door.) and lease agreement (signed by me), will be made through a worldwide third party company called SmartNewHomes (http://www.smartnewhomes.com) to make sure that we can trust each other.
You will only have to deposit to SmartNewHomes the first month of rent from contract and damage deposit a total of 1300CAD. You don't need to open an account with SmartNewHomes because this transaction is a rental and the Landlord must open the transaction.

Here is the procedure explained :

1 - To start the process all I need is your full info(full name, shipping address and a cell phone number where you can be reached)
2 - I will go at SmartNewHomes to deposit the keys and the contract on your name as the intended receiver.
3 - SmartNewHomes will check the package to see if everything is in order and also the legal papers that will come along with the keys and proof of ownership with their Real Estate Professional Department in London. They will also confirm with the building management that I'm the legal owner of the apartment I'm renting to you.
4 - SmartNewHomes will send you a delivery notification to let you know they have the keys and the papers in their custody. They will also send you all the payment instructions to complete the rental transaction.
5 - At this point you will have to make a money deposit on the SmartNewHomes payments representative for the amount we agreed, the total amount you shall deposit for the first month of rent and damage deposit. The payment needs to be sent within 24 hours after you receive the transaction details or else they will charge me an additional fee.
6 - After you make the deposit you will have to send the payment details to SmartNewHomes.
7 - SmartNewHomes will verify the transfer and if everything is in order they will start the delivery through licensed shipping company such as DHL or UPS.The delivery will take 2-3 business days.
8 - After you receive the package, you will go and check the apartment and in 5 days (inspection time) you must contact SmartNewHomes to inform them if you keep the apt or not and if everything is in order you will instruct SmartNewHomes to send me the information about the money deposit and I will be able to receive the funds. If you don`t like the apartment the pamyent will be full refunded to you. SmartNewHomes can NOT release the funds without your approval. Also the inspection time of 5 days will start from the moment you will be at the building.
Using SmartNewHomes involves three parties: me as owner, you as a potential tenant and SmartNewHomes as a responsible third party authorized to handle this transaction. SmartNewHomes works the same way as the escrow account on which you place the deposit when you rent an apartment, except that instead of a bank, we use SmartNewHomes. Of course, nobody can take that money until you will sign the lease agreement.

You need to know everything about the process before we get this started. I think is right for both of us. If you have any other questions you can reach me any time at: 44 20 3290 5493 (if you are calling from Canada or United States you need to dial 011-44-20-3290 5493) or you can email me and I will respond ASAP.

Let me know if you have the funds available (1300CAD$) so we can move forward and e-mail me your full information I requested.

Thanks

I told him I wasn't going to just transfer $1300 to somebody without some sort of guarantee. He replied back with this.

You don`t have to be worried about your money because they are 100% protected . I`ve used SmartNewHomes several times in the past as a landlord and as a tenant and all was in order, they have great services and they are really professional. I can access the funds just after SmartNewHomes have your final answer about the transaction. If u refuse to keep the apt you will receive a full refund from them...
I will ask SmartNewHomes to contact you with further details about the transaction so you can be sure that everything is in order.
Thank you!

Then I got another email from these people literally 5 minutes later...



As you can see these people are well prepared to steal your money. I hope this helps somebody. DO NOT buy into this bullshit. Fuck people like this.

For the Search Engines

[email protected]

If you are reading this because you have received a fake invoice that contains payment details, kindly forward it to the address in my signature line and I will report the details to the appropriate authorities

Hello, I have a question. I received this email. I didn't pay anything, but I sended my name and address. Is there any problem that this guy can track me or anything bad with me? I'm afraid what he can do it with my phone number, address and name.
Thanks,
xxxxxxxxx

In most cases the scammer wanted your name to make his scam seem real. It is rare but does happen that the scammer might use your name in future scams.

He will not track you or make a visit. He is most likely in W. Africa.

So, what can I do now? Don't answer the scamer anymore?
He still anoying me to deposit the money. I'll go to the Police Department tomorrowto report him.

Completely ignore him. Do not respond to anything he sends or answer any of his phone calls. Eventually he will go away. As long as you respond to him he thinks there is a chance to steal your money. He is a thief and thieves lie for a living.

You do not need to explain anything to him and do not tell him you know that he is a low life scammer.

What country are you in? I will try to find somewhere you should report this.

I'm in Canada, Victoria, located at British Columbia province

@Gesiel Fortes

If the only details that you have divulged are very basic, such as names, addresses and telephone numbers, there is nothing to worry about,. This Scammer is trying his scheme with so many people you will soon become forgotten about unless you continue to write to him.

The last time I checked, this scammer was writing from Eastern Europe -- The Canadian Police will no doubt show little interest as you have not lost money.

As Bryon Williams has already said, completely ignore him or block his e-mails ---

Hi, I received another email after I say that I'm not interested in "the apartment".

From: Richard Brenna ([email protected])
Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2015 4:25:58 PM


Hi there,
I was in contact with SmartNewHomes trying to find a win-win situation so you can feel comfortable also. The company told me that they need to have a proof that you have this 1300CAD available.
So here is what I think you can do. Please make the payment via MoneyGram to one of your friends, relative or someone that you fully trust. On the receivers name just put your trustful person name and country that will be sent will be United Kingdom. No one can take the money just the person that you trust. Why you need to send it to United Kingdom?? After you will sign the lease agreement you just need to call MoneyGram and change the name of the receiver with my name and this way I will receive the funds here in United Kingdom. I think this way you are 100% safe and SmartNewHomes agreed with this method.

I mean ... If you have someone to trust (a friend, a family member a lawyer) please go to MoneyGram office and send the payment of 1300CAD using the following payment information:

Name: Trusted Friends Name
City: London
Country: United Kingdom

The only condition it's that the payment of 1300CAD to be sent in London, United Kingdom because SmartNewHomes main office is here in London. Also the 1300CAD will be converted to Great Britain Pounds (currency we are using in United Kingdom). After SmartNewHomes will see that you have the funds available they will send the package at your address by this week.. You will have 5 days inspection time (time that will start from the moment you will be at the building) to check the apartment and after you will sign the lease agreement you can call MoneyGram and ask them to change the receivers name with my name.
Please remind that you will have full control of the payment until you will make your decision. This way you are 100% protected.
Let me know soon!
Thank you!

This is the last email that I received. After that, I blocked the scammer.