Rental Scammer - [email protected]

"Van Loock Katrien" <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello,
I am glad that you are interested to rent my apartment.
My name is Van Loock Katrien and I am working at Royal Observatory of Belgium . I lived in this apartment until 29 of December 2016, My job there has an initial contract for two years although this may be extended.They moved me in Cyprus for new project, so the apartment is available for long-term. The apartment is fully furnished with all the necessary equipment and appliances. As you saw in the pictures it is in excellent condition, very clean and well kept.
The rent will be 610,00 € per month including utilities (hot/cold water, electricity, internet, cable TV). Also, a security deposit of 610,00 € 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).
You have full access to all building amenities. Pets are allowed. That's all I can say for now until you have a taste of my place.

In the meantime, can you please confirm the following:

· How many people would be living at the property?
· When would you like to move in?
· What term/length lease would you like?
· Do you have any pets?
If further interested, please give me some information about yourself (age, job, lifestyle or whatever you think makes you a good tenant).
Thank you and I look forward to hearing back from you. Ing.Van Loock Katrien,Happy New Year!!

"Van Loock Katrien" <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello ,

Thank you for responding so quick with all of that information, it all sounds great.
The only thing, is that I'm currently in Cyprus for new project and for the moment as I told you.
However, I hope this will not change your intentions to rent my apartment because we can still reach an agreement. We can do this transaction through Airbnb. In this way, you will receive the keys in less than 48 hours to inspect the apartment and you will be able to view the apartment without any obligations to rent it. I will pay all the transaction costs. To avoid any misunderstanding I will be gladly to explain you step by step how the viewing procedure works:
To reserve the apartment I need to send some details :

. When would you like to move in(exact date) :
. Period of the contract:
. Adults
. Children:
. Name:
. Address:
. City:
. Zip code:
. Country:
. Cell phone number:
. A copy of your ID,passport or driving license by email ( scan or photo) and a picture of you for inspection and to prepare all necessary papers for you to become a future tenant.

Once I get your details, I will contact Airbnb with them to start the transaction. They will send you an invoice and further information regarding the rental, along with payment instructions to secure the booking. The deposit consists of first month's rent and the security deposit ( €1.220 ) and is just to reserve the apartment and not a commitment. You have full payment control until you will check the apartment. After you pay the deposit, the inspection time will be settled (you just tell them on which date you're available) and within 2 days, the agent will come to show you the apartment and help you with all the formalities so you can live in the apartment.
If you will be satisfied with the apartment, you can move there in the same day. All you have to do is to sign the rental contract and Airbnb will release the payment to me. I'm quite confident you will like the apartment, but if not, you still have the option to cancel, and get your deposit back from the agent, immediately.
Also, 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.
I would appreciate a quick response, because there are several others interested in the apartment, and I need to know if I can count on a deal with you.

Thank you,

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.