Rental Scammer - [email protected]

> From: James Pickard [mailto: [email protected] ]
> Sent:
> To:
> Subject: Re: Apartment Inquiry
>
> Hello,
>
> Thanks for your interest, I just received your Inquiries regarding my
> apartment located at ( Dintelstraat 164, 1079 BD Amsterdam, Netherlands )
> Due to the nature of my job i left for Edinburgh Scotland on a project
> assignment, and i will be here for years that's why i decided to rent out
> the apartment.
>
> The apartment spacious is about 80sqm m2 and size of bedroom is 32sq m2.,
> tile flooring in kitchen, gas cooker, Fridge, micro-wave, lots of cabinets
> and drawers. bathrooms feature new vanities, washing machine & dryer.
> Hi-Speed WiFi Internet, TV, telephone also included.
>
> However due to the fact that i am away. the apartment is locked up and i
> have the keys with me here, so i will not be able to show you the
> apartment right now, but i will urge you to go to the apartment address
> and take a look at it from outside and the beautiful environment. attached
> to this email are the interior pictures for you to know what the inside
> looks like.
>
> It just about 1.2km distance to its metro station. restaurant and public
> transport all around and it's few mins walking distance to the
> supermarket, so it's located in a very nice and safe area in Amsterdam.
> its on the second floor of the building.
>
> The Rent is €450.00/month (Water, Gas, Electricity, Hi-Speed WiFi Internet
> and trash included in the rent) ( applicable with €500.00 deposit which is
> refundable while packing without any lost or damage of my properties)
>
> Before any reservation i will want you to tell me little expressions about
> yourself:
>
> Where are you from and also where are you presently?
> Present occupation?
> How many month rent can you pay before moving in?
> Are you paying the rent yourself?
> Did you have car?
> what is your gender?
> How old are you?
> Mobile Number #?
> Best time to call you?
> Pictures of the occupant if available?
>
> That is the information you need to know about my apartment. If you are
> interested kindly get back to me in order to proceed further. you can
> simply reach me on my phone number below for further discussion on the
> apartment.
>
> Thanks And Have a Great Day!
> James Pickard
> Project Manager (J Breheny Contractors Ltd)
> Ph: +44-(794) 922 4615
> http://www.breheny.co.uk/

Subject: Re: Apartment Inquiry
From: "James Pickard" < [email protected] >
Date:
To:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello xxxxxxxxx,

Sorry for the late response, find attached the lease agreement, kindly
print out the contract, read it carefully, sign the last page (PAGE 4) of
the lease and have it scanned back to me. ensure you keep a copy with you
for you will have to bring it along when moving into my apartment.

Please find my lawyer information below for the payment process and you
can make the transfer of your one month rent €450.00 and security deposit
€500.00 as stated in this agreement which is the total amount of €950.00
via MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc.

All you need to do is to take the cash to any MoneyGram outlet, tell them
you want to send money Via MoneyGram, fill the information below on the
MoneyGram transfer form:

RECEIVER'S NAME: ESTRELLA ISABEL CRUZ
ADDRESS: 92475, SW 185th TERRACE
CITY: MIAMI
STATE: FLORIDA
COUNTRY: UNITED STATES
ZIP CODE: 33177

Once you have completed the transaction, I will want you to send me the
copy of the receipt that you collect from MoneyGram which am to forward to
my lawyer as the proof of your payment in order for me to go ahead and
have the keys and house documents shipped to your address immediately
which will arrived (1-2 working days)

I shall be waiting for the signed copy of the contract and that of the
payment invoice receipt from you soon.

I wish you all the best and good fortunes as you move into my apartment.

Thanks and God Bless You.
James Pickard
Project Manager (J Breheny Contractors Ltd)
Ph: +44-(794) 922 4615
http://www.breheny.co.uk/

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.

You sir just saved me THOUSANDS of DOLLARS! THANK YOU FOR THIS POST!

I got in contact with this person through craigslist. Please see below link. He/she is currently posting on craigslist:

https://barcelona.craigslist.es/roo/d/f ... g=es&cc=es

He sent me an email asking for more information about myself, picture, why renting room, for how long etc. To be honest the biggest red flag for me was the cost of the APARTMENT, not just the room: 450euros/month. It seemed way too low. Then after sending him info about why I wanted the room etc, he basically offered me the place. I own a rental in Los Angeles. No property owner would ever do that after just one email and not looking into the person who wants to rent their furnished place. I google his name on a whim and this came up. Note, I have not let him know that I found out it's a scam, as I didn't want to alert him that I know.

How should I proceed? And again, thank you!