Rental Scammer - [email protected]

From: Jana Klopsch <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Enquiry for rental

Hi there,

Sorry for my late reply, but your e-mail has arrived in spam folder and not see it before.
My name is Jana Klopsch, I am 39 years old and currently live in Germany. I bought this apartment during my living in Australia, but now I am back to Europe so that is why I'm renting it out. You can rent it even for a long term. I am looking for a responsible person that can take a very good care of my home. The apartment is fully furnished, renovated and equipped with air conditioning, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, vacuum, LCD TV, etc. You can use my furniture or you can also make your own if you prefer. If you decide to use yours, you can store my furniture in the large basement cellar.
Also very important, the utilities (water, electricity, Internet, digital TV) are included in the rent of AU $250.00 per week.
The security deposit of AU $1,000.00 is required at the start of the lease and it will be refunded at the end of the contract (a 30 day notice is required).

In the meantime, can you please confirm the following:

· How many people would be living on the property?
· What is the duration / length of lease would you like?
· When would you like to move in?
· Do you have pets?
· More information about yourself (age, occupation, lifestyle or whatever you think makes you a good tenant).

The property is being managed by Airbnb and they will handle the whole rental process.
If you want to know more about the rental process please get back to me and I will send you the step by step procedure.

Friendly greetings from Germany!


Sent from Outlook

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.

Jana Klopsch <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello,

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
I will gladly sign the contract with you if we can reach an agreement. As I explained in the previous e-mail, I live in Germany. Unfortunately, I don't have any friends or other person back in Australia who could arrange a viewing with you. In order to make the rental process easier for both of us, I would like to use Airbnb as they are currently managing my property. You will be contacted by Airbnb and will receive their payment details with the warranty for your deposit. They will require the first month’s rent + security bond to confirm the reservation. After you make the payment deposit to Airbnb, you will be contacted by an Airbnb agent to agree on a suitable date and time to view the property. Upon viewing the property, if you decide to rent it, the Airbnb agent will provide you with the rental contract which you can sign on the spot. If you decide to sign and move in, Airbnb will release the payment to my account 30 days after your move in date, all this time your money will stay with Airbnb. If, however you decide not to rent it, your one month’s rent payment + deposit will be fully refunded, they won't charge you a penny. In this way Airbnb will handle the money and the keys so as to ensure a smooth processing.

Please provide me with the following details for your referencing application so that I can register the transaction with Airbnb and move forward.
First name:
Last name:
Full Address:
Phone number (a valid mobile number where Airbnb can contact you):
Passport or National ID photo:

The Airbnb agent will require you to show the Passport or National ID in original when you move in.
The copy is needed in order to fill in your contract.
Let me know at your earliest convenience if you understand the process and I will contact Airbnb with your details.
Once I send them your details they will register you in their database and contact you with the instructions for payment. Upon receipt of your payment, an Airbnb agent will arrange the viewing with you.
In case you're tied up in another contract and cannot move in immediately we can arrange the viewing now and reserve the apartment for you to move in at a scheduled date.

Thank you,
Jana Klopsch