Rental Scam - [email protected]

From: Cecilia Cortney < [email protected] >
Subject: PENTHOUSE LOFT @ Studio Argyle

Hello,

My name is David Cortney and I'm the owner of the apartment (2bed/2bath) located at: 255 Argyle Ave, Ottawa, ON, K2P 2N7, Canada. The apartment is just like in the pictures attached and it's in excellent condition. I've bought the apartment for me and my family and I never thought that I will rent it because we really want to move there. I work in petroleum production as a chemical engineer and the company I work for they had a project there in Canada that was suppose to be for the next 10 years so I've decided to buy an apartment for me and my family. Unfortunately the project I was working in Canada has been cancelled or it's on stand-by because of the Government of Canada. I was moved to the United Kingdom department where I already signed a job contract for the next 6 years.
The monthly rent for the whole apartment is $1045 utilities included (heat, hydro, water, electricity, maintenance fees, 2 parking spots, laundry in-suite, washer and dryer also included, cable and internet). In case repairs are need in the apartment the building management will help you and I will cover the costs. Anyway I don't think it will be the case because the apartment is new and renovated and also it has insurance. I'm looking for someone to rent anywhere from 3 months to 6 years or more. I'm interested in finding the right person for the apartment that will take good care of the place. I know how the prices are in the area but I'm not looking to make a business or a profit with the apartment. If you decide to sign the lease agreement the monthly payments can be sent through E-transfer, Bank Wire or any other payment method that is convenient for you. You can also rent the apartment furnished or unfurnished and the rent will NOT increase.
Please NOTE that I will use a professional property management company because it's the first time I'm renting an apartment and I think it's the best way for both of us. They will make the necessary arrangements for both us.
I'm really serious about the apartment so I need to know some basic information about you so I can talk with my wife and make a final decision.
Also I don't have time to waste so I will wait for your email ONLY if you are really interested!
Thank you for your time!


Regards,
Cecilia and David Cortney

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: Cecilia Cortney < [email protected] >
> Subject: Re: Apartment 2bed/2bath: 255 Argyle Ave , Ottawa, ON, K2P 2N7, Canada
>
> Hi again xxxxxxx,
>
> I received your last email and after I discussed with my family we decided to rent the apartment to you. I already signed an agreement with Airbnb Global(www.airbnb.com) to make all the necessary arrangements for you to view the apartment before signing the lease agreement and sending the payment to me as a landlord. I will cover the transaction and delivery fees. I can proceed with the rental transaction ONLY if you agree with the terms and conditions of Airbnb Global provided below.
>
> To avoid any misunderstanding I will provide with all the steps of this transaction through Airbnb Global
>
> I NEED TO BE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS CLEAR FOR YOU SO PLEASE READ CAREFULLY ALL THE STEPS OF THE TRANSACTION BECAUSE I CAN NOT CHANGE THEIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS. ALSO I WILL PAY FOR THE TRANSACTION AND DELIVERY FEES AND JUST IN CASE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND I WILL NOT RECEIVE A REFUND FROM AIRBNB!
>
> Airbnb Global are already in custody of the keys and all the necessary documents. The ownership is already confirmed with the building management from Canada and also with a Real Estate Professional Department in London, United Kingdom. They just need my approval and your information so they can proceed with the transaction.
>
> -You need to provide me your contact details: full name, mailing address (street, number, city and postal code), cell phone number, move-in date and duration of lease preferred (e.g. 6 months or 1 year rental contract with option of renewal). The lease agreement will be a standard one from the Canadian government.
>
> - I will inform Airbnb Global that I approve the rental transaction.
> - Airbnb Global will send you a notification(via email) with the transaction details, delivery details and payment information
> - You need to send the amount of 1250$( 1st month of rent from the rental contract and damage deposit-refundable in the last month of rent from contract) to the the Airbnb Global ESCROW ACCOUNT, provided to you in the notification.
> THE PAYMENT NEEDS TO BE SENT WITHIN 24 BUSINESS HOURS AFTER YOU WILL RECEIVE THE TRANSACTION DETAILS OR ELSE THEY WILL CHARGE ME AN ADDITIONAL FEE.
> - After the payment is completed you need to send the payment details to Airbnb Global
> - Airbnb Global will check the payment confirmation and start the shipping procedure through UPS Air Cargo.
> - You will receive the package (keys, apartment documents and lease agreement) in 3 business days. After the keys will be delivered at your address you will have 5 business days (inspection time) to check the apartment. The inspection time will start from the moment you will be at the building.
> - If you decide to keep the apartment you just need to sign the lease agreement and Airbnb Global can release the funds to me. If you don`t want to keep the apartment you will receive a full payment refund including any payment fee.
>
> Please note that Airbnb Global can NOT release the funds without your approval. You will have full control of the payment. They can release the payment to me as a landlord just after they will receive the lease agreement with your signature.
>
> Using Airbnb Global involves three parties: me as owner, you as a potential tenant and Airbnb Global as a responsible third party authorized to handle this transaction. Airbnb Global works the same way as the escrow account on which you place the deposit when you rent an apartment, except that instead of a bank, we use Airbnb Global.
>
> I can NOT rent the apartment any other way because the building management has strict rules about renting private properties and they strongly recommend me to use a professional property management company.
>
>
> You can reach me any time at: +44.20.3290.4868 (if you are calling from Canada you need to dial 011.44.20.3290.4868) or you can email me your number and I can give you a call.
>
> Let me know if you have the funds available (1250CAD$) so we can move forward and e-mail me your full information I requested.
>
>
> Thank you!

This Scammer will arrange to send you an Invoice -- Make no mistake, the Invoice will be fake !
If you are reading this because you have received such an invoice, kindly forward it to the address in my signature line and I will report the details to the appropriate authorities.