Rental Scammer - [email protected]

Kerry Ann Fries <[email protected]>:
Thanks for your interest, the apartment is a 3bedroom but only 2 rooms are available for rent at the moment, My internship has ended, I'm moving out of the property tomorrow so I'm helping the owner find a new tenant since she lives in South Africa and only comes to inspect her property.

I'll have to lock it up after moving out, so unfortunately I can't do viewings since my flight is tomorrow, you can visit the building itself, though you won't be able to get inside the flat. Only one of the small rooms have been paid for by another girl, she is 22years old, she is moving in at the end of the month and will stay for 3 months.

There are two toilets, One is in the big room, the other toilet will have to be shared if you are renting the other small room. Fully furnished, wardrobes, desk, bedsheets, and towel are in the rooms, but you may also bring yours.

The Utensils are electric stove, Refrigerator, Microwave, Television, Linens, CD players, Satellite cable, Double/twin zip & link beds, Kitchen Electric hob/oven, Kitchen utensils, Dish washer, Washing machine, WiFi High Speed Internet and there is a free parking.

Price.
The Big room is €500, there is a refundable caution fee of €500 at the sign of contract.
The smaller room is €400, caution fee €400.. No extra fees to be paid.
The caution fee is fully refunded when you are moving out if you have not damaged any part of the property.
The rent will be discounted "only" if you want to pay few months rent in advance.
The duration of rent will be your decision.

The apartment is at; Hiltenspergerstraße 20 80798 Munchen, Germany

I have taken some pictures, If you want to rent it, Send me your details now, I will email and recommend you to the owner (also copy you in the email) so you can communicate with her, to prepare you a contract, she will also provide you with his payment details, Once she accepts your application, signed the contract and paid, I will be responsible to send the keys to your current address as soon as possible.

In the same format below, these details are required to prepare you a contract.

Your Full names:
Passport or ID Number:
Phone Number:
Current Address :
Room interested in ? :
Move in date :
Move out date :
E-mail address :

Regards
Kerry

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.

From: Kerry Ann Fries <[email protected]>


Hi there Michelle,

Thank you for your prompt response and for your kind email... 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 problems. I prefer to rent the flat to a nice and responsible person. I know obviously you will want to see the apartment before discussing further details because you cannot rent an apartment you haven't seen. But since I won't be around I am willing to send you the keys so you can visit it and see it suits your needs.

The delivery for the keys (apartment keys, alarm) and viewing permit (signed by me), will be made through an authorized courier and using an Airbnb Escrow Account which is widely known and trusted, (www.airbnb.com/trust) to make sure that we can trust each other. Using Airbnb escrow account involves three parties: me as renter, you as a potential tenant and Airbnb as a responsible third party authorized to conduct of the transaction.

Here is the procedure explained :

The Escrow Account Airbnb works as an account on which you place the deposit when you rent an apartment, except that instead of paying directly to owner, we use Airbnb. Because nobody can touch the money until you have informed Airbnb you are satisfied with the apartment.

The escrow deposit, the first month rent + deposit ( 300eur + 300eur = 600eur ), must be filed by bank transfer to activate the escrow account.
The delivery will be by a licensed company such as DHL, Federal Express or UPS and it will be sent by Airbnb at your current home.
To initiate the process, I need the following information about you:
-Shipping Address (address where you want the package to be delivered) and name of recipient;
-Delivery Schedule (local time you'll be at home to receive the package and sign the receipt);
-Phone number;

You don't have to open an account with Airbnb since this transaction is rental and the renter must open the case with Airbnb, just send me the required details and i will open a case with them immediately.

Then Airbnb sends you the keys and the contract already filled with your details; You will have 14 days to inspect apartment from the arrival date; If you want to keep the apartment, they give the renter the money, and we go on from there; If you do not wish to keep the apartment, you send the keys/contract back to Airbnb and you get your money back.

This will be in writing in the Airbnb contract I will sign. The Airbnb fees will be paid by me when I will initiate the procedure, you will have to pay for the money transfer fees when you pay the deposit. I'll wait your quick reply and if you agree, I will need your full name, shipping address and your phone number (mobile if possible) so I can initiate the Airbnb rental transaction.

(Kindly note that I have suggested this Airbnb transaction because you would want to view the apartment first, and for the safety of both parties to be guaranteed... But if you are satisfied with the photos, we can just proceed with the contract, paying the owner directly and getting the keys within 2 days. )

Thanks again for your time and look forward to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
Kerry