Rental Scammer - [email protected]

On 30 November 2010 09:54, Nicole Phelp <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi,

Thanks for your response and Inquiry. The Flat is still vacant. I was busy all through the weekend that is the reason i;m replying late. |'m sorry about that.

A bit about me: I am 26years old, Female professional. I have just moved to Leicester to work with a Media outfit as a Radio Presenter. I have a 24 months renewable contract so i'd be away for close to 3 years.

The Flat is Located on Laycock Street, Islington, London, N1 1SW.

The Monthly rent is £600 per month and it includes All Bills. Bills
like Council Electricity, Cable T.V, Water,T.V License and Gas all
Covered.

A Refundable deposit of £600 which will deposited with Tenant Security
Deposit Ltd {TSDL}, will be received along with the Rent before Moving in.

Could you please tell me a bit about yourself and where you are presently located?

Please i have just 2 questions. They are:
Will you be able to take good care of my Flat like your own?
Are you capable of funding the rent and refundable deposit before moving in?

The flat is fully furnished with follwoing facilities:

- One Huge Bedroom for Double Bed
- Huge living room,
- One Toilet and Bathroom with Shower
- Kitchen with modern fittings
- Dish washer/Dryer
- Washing Machine
- Cable TV
- Wireless Internet connection
- Garden and off street Parking space available
- Few minutes to Highbury and Islington.

I have attached some images of some parts of the Apartment.

Hope to get your response soon.

Warmest Regards
Nicole Phelp

From: Nicole Phelp <[email protected]>
Date: 2 December 2010 11:03
Subject: Re: Reply to your ad: One double bedroom Flat
To: Michelle Banks


Hi Michelle

I'm so glad to read again from you and for expressing genuine interest in renting my flat. You seem to be of good personality and I am sure you'll be a great tenant.

I'd have actually loved to keep it vacant but a friend advised i get some one who can take good care of it. I hope i can take your word to take good care of my apartment like your own.

Viewing will not be a problem, I can make myself available any day in the week to meet you, however, I'd need a proof you have the funds set aside before I can commit to holding and renting the flat to you.

I have been disappointed several times after scheduling viewings in the past few days. My job had suffered and i have also wasted my funds coming over to London from Leicester that's why I'm a little skeptical.

Most Viewers will either give some strange reasons for not being able to rent the property, some want me to give them an offer to stay in the property for one month before paying and Some of them are DSS Tenants which I do not accept. But, They would not tell me until after the viewing.

Therefore, I am very particular about Funds verification before viewing is arranged. It is normal to arrange viewings but it is also normal to want to meet with a potential tenant possibly for a close deal meeting considering I have recently moved and presently work in Leicester. In the Light of this, I'd need to see an evidence of the Rent and Security Deposit availability as a sign of genuine interest in renting the flat.

So, May be you want to suggest how you can prove the funds availability, and that it is already set aside for the purpose of the Flat right now.

Mind you, I am NOT asking you to send me your Bank Statement via the the internet, I will though need to see it with either a Job Reference or a Character Reference when we meet for the viewing.

Meanwhile, Below are the lease terms:
* An advance payment of the first month and the Refundable security deposit shall be paid.
* The Rent shall be paid on Monthly basis thereafter.
* You shall only be allowed to default in payment of rent for not more than 3 months after which the eviction process shall be initiated.
* The minimum lease term is three (3) months, violation of this shall lead to the forfeiture of the security deposits.
* If you will need to vacate the house, notice shall be given a month prior to intended day of moving.
* The security deposit shall be refunded on or before the 7th day of vacating the apartment.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Thanks and Best Regards
Nicole Phelp

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.