by Chantal027
Sat Jul 08, 2017 5:41 am
I am new to this page and don't know yet if there is such a case here, but I will share mine.
I am looking for a room in Gent, Belgium, got in a Facebook group where rooms are offered. There I saw a cheaper one in a good location, with an email address: [email protected]
She claimed to be the former tenant of that room, but now done with her business she is leaving Gent, and the owner: a South-African woman who lives in her country has asked her to help her find a new tenant. She asked me meticulously about who I am and what I do to make sure I am reliable, before she sends my details to the owner.
So I told her about myself then she asked for my details.
Unfortunately I gave her my details and then she forwarded my message to the 'owner'.
The 'owner' was called Mbalene Rachel Shabangu, [email protected]
This was the message:
So I luckily wasn't really sure about this, so I asked her to send me a copy of her ID and to talk with me by Skype - the moment I asked for this her email address ceased to exist.
But actually it seemed very trustworthy in the beginning with a former tenant who knows the place, I even got pictures of the rooms and all. What's more, 'Felicia' even offered to show me around, however she was moving out that day, so I would have a very limited time to do that, and she probably knew all too well that I was in another country.
So the scammer this time used a 2-people game, watch out for that too!
I am looking for a room in Gent, Belgium, got in a Facebook group where rooms are offered. There I saw a cheaper one in a good location, with an email address: [email protected]
She claimed to be the former tenant of that room, but now done with her business she is leaving Gent, and the owner: a South-African woman who lives in her country has asked her to help her find a new tenant. She asked me meticulously about who I am and what I do to make sure I am reliable, before she sends my details to the owner.
Well yes the apartment is still available but i have to be honest with you..i also have other email which i received concerning the apartment but i will be giving it out to whoever am comfortable with..i am just being honest..So tell me...What state are you in and why you coming here?
So I told her about myself then she asked for my details.
Hi.
The apartment has a 3bedroom and 2 toilets, all rooms are available for rent at the moment, the owner of the apartment is a South African woman and she lives there in her country, she only comes to inspect the property once in a while, and i've been asked to help find new tenants as I'm moving out of the property, If you are in the city, we can do viewings today since my flight is tomorrow, The rooms are 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.
Price.
The big room is €400 p/m
The smaller room is €300 p/m
Caution fee of same amount will be paid and fully refunded when you are moving out.
The address of the apartment is; Ferdinand Lousbergskaai 18, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. ( Unit number can't be disclosed now for security reasons.) I took some photos and will attach them, If you are interested in making a booking, kindly send me your details, I will forward them in email to the owner (also copy you in the email) so you can communicate, Once she accepts your application, she will provide you with the contract and payment details, once you have signed the contract and paid, I will be responsible to send the keys with me to your current address as soon as possible.
The details below are required from you to apply.
Full names:
Passport or ID Number:
Phone Number:
Full Current Address :
Big or small room ? :
Move In date :
Move Out date :
E-mail address :
Sincerely,
Unfortunately I gave her my details and then she forwarded my message to the 'owner'.
The 'owner' was called Mbalene Rachel Shabangu, [email protected]
This was the message:
Dear Applicant,
You will find attached in this email the lease agreement for your attention, you will be accepted to be occupant of the property and I am glad to inform you that you are approved upon making necessary payment and signing the attached lease.
The apartment keys will be sent to the current addresses you provided via Fedex courier services along with a 5 pages document which will be paid for by myself, these contains all vital information you need about the apartment. These document contains the actual apartment number, the floor plan, WiFi passwords, lock codes in the apartment, rules and regulations. These information have been withheld intentionally to avoid theft.
You can occupy the property on your "Move in date''. I would require you to make your first payment via a Moneygram Transfer, I will provide name and address below in person of my husband as i'm on a wheelchair.
First names: Mfundo Michael
Surname: Shabangu
Address: 190 Nelson Mandela Drive,
City: Pretoria
Zipcode: 0002
Country: South Africa.
These are the only details needed to fill in a Moneygram sending form, included with your details and the cash, you are required to pay first month rent 300 euro + refundable deposit 300euro = 600euro.
Moneygram however charges you to use their service, so in this case, you can deduct the charges from the total amount, it shouldn't be more than 20euro.
I have mortgage deductions on my bank account, which means the bank is going to take the money immediately you pay into it, these will prevent me from paying the necessary bills for the apartment, I'm trying to avoid that at the moment so you can also have a wonderful stay, i hope you understand. Bank account details to pay your other rents will still be provided.
As stated on the lease, note that if you intend to pay for all the months, there's a 30euro discount, the rent would be 270p/m.
Finally, please do not forget to sign the lease, scan it and send back to me included with any proof of identification and the payment receipt via e-mail.
Regards
M. R. Shabangu
So I luckily wasn't really sure about this, so I asked her to send me a copy of her ID and to talk with me by Skype - the moment I asked for this her email address ceased to exist.
But actually it seemed very trustworthy in the beginning with a former tenant who knows the place, I even got pictures of the rooms and all. What's more, 'Felicia' even offered to show me around, however she was moving out that day, so I would have a very limited time to do that, and she probably knew all too well that I was in another country.
So the scammer this time used a 2-people game, watch out for that too!
