Rental Scammer - [email protected]

From: [email protected]
To: Michelle Banks
Subject: RE: Reply to your ad: Studio to rent,Oxford Gardens, North Kensington, W10
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:07:01 -0700


Hi,
My name is Eric and now i'm now in Ireland.I have the flat for rent and I’m a private landlord.
The rent is 500£ / month including all bills electricity, water, gas,etc and the concil tax,minimum stay : 2 weeks and max 1-2 years. Security Deposit-returnable at the end of a month stay in my flat.
Utility bills inclusive,Utility Cost : £ 0.00 pcm .
Before start the deal you must have the money cash and ready to pay 1000£ (1 month rent + 1 month rent security deposit).
In case you want it, let me know so we can arrange the transaction.
Rental price is lower because i want to rent the apartment fast as possible.You can keep pet if you have.
The flat and the flat is fully furnished, newly refurbished and also benefits from wood flooring.
You have internet, phone, washing machine with dryer,tube station only five minutes,private garden,
cable TV and most important parking place.The flat is clean,the area is quiet .
I am waiting your answer soon.
Regards...

The thief will tell you that you can rent his accommodation only if you can prove that you have genuine interest. He will ask you send money by wire transfer (normally Western Union) to yourself or a member of the family to show that you have sufficient finances and that you are not a "time waster".

Another variation of this scam is that you need to send (by Western Union) money in order that the keys and other documents can be couriered to you

He will ask you to send him the transfer details.

Make no mistake ! Western Union Transfers can be picked up virtually anywhere in the world and with the minimum of identification. They are almost impossible to trace once the money has been collected. You will never get to see the accommodation or your money again.

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 Gumtree or similar listing sites. If you receive any requests from 'Landlords' asking for some kind of payment by Western Union 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.

[email protected] wrote:

Hi Again,
Thank you very much for your answer.So for a viewing or want me to reserve my property down for him/she will have to show me a proof of there seriousness in the property,well this is what you will have to do for me before i can come down for the viewing, You will pay cash to western union cash collection (£1000) to any of your friend, family,or viceversa in Uk ,after you've made the transfer finish you will be given a receipt from the Office western union agent,you will have to scan and email me the receipt. I will want you to read this and understand me better.Just to let you know this am not asking you to send me any money before showing you my property but i You can view the property next 1-2 days after you prove the payment or when you have time....
What is Western Union ???
western union is a Money Transfer provides an easy to use, reliable and cost effective way to send money around in the city.
I want you to know that there are so many people who have sent me fake bank statement and reference for a proof but it's all fake, and moreover i don't like interfering with other people's privacy so i will not like to see any reference from anywhere or bank statement...
I will give you back the transfer fee when i meet you... you don't lost any money.
NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH AVAILABLE IN WESTERN UNION ACCOUNT UNTIL THE DAY YOU SEE THE FLAT.
You must understand exactly:
1)You have a look at the place after you have the WU payment prove done.
2)If you like this i make the contract wit you.
3)You could raise money from Western Union and pay me cash the rent.
I expect a reply with your decision a few hours if you agree with the above maintained ...
Best Regards..