Rental Scammer - Hermione Mergicka [email protected]

It started with:

Hi,

I have a 3 bedroom house and looking to rent 2 of the double rooms
out.

I can send you the pictures of the room, if you are still
interested.

The rent cost £400 per month including all bills.

Thanks

Hermione

After some fake linked pictures and more information about the property:

Hi ,


Good to read from you again.


A lil about me : Am a 25years old fashion designer, very friendly and adventurous, I only Drink occasionally but don't smoke, I am quiet, easy going, fun to be with and open minded.I like to keep the flat clean and tidy and would require the same too from any tenant.I am a christian by religion,my hobbies are Hiking, singing, watching soccer and going to the cinema's.


About the flat : The flat was once a family flat till my old parents acquired a new property in Spain and moved, so i have been left in charge of this flat. It is a 3 bedroom flat like i already told you, and nobody occupies the flat at the moment.


I live in Birmingham and only come around once in a while so as to keep the flat and surroundings clean. Reasons why we want to rent this place out is so that there will be a permanent occupant that will take care of the flat furnitures and keep the surroundings clean in my absence. We just need life in the flat.


At the moment we are looking to rent out just 2 of the rooms while the 3rd will be locked permanently, for my use whenever i come around.


Concerning viewing: I can only travel from Birmingham to attend to serious tenants that are ready to move in and can prove that they can pay for the first months rent and one months deposit, i don't do general viewing. I need to know that you are serious and have the money to pay before i can come down to London.


I have a tight working schedule caused by my upcoming fashion show week, which preparations are on for at the moment with my co-ordinators from New York. You can search the map for that area and what you see in the pictures are what the interior of the flat looks like.


If you feel comfortable with that let me know, if not don't bother to reply so that we won't waste each others time.


Thanks and warm regards,


Hermione

Finally:

Since you are ready to view,i will plan my time here and make sure am there before you arrive.



The only thing is that i need double assurance, because i want to avoid traveling from Birmingham to london in vain, i can afford my fare, but i can't afford to waste my time.



My Lawyer will get a contract ready for you to sign if you like to take the room after viewing and the keys will be handed over to you immediately after contract has been signed.



Also, receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you'l have to sign the lease agreement form.



I don't do reference, bank statements, cheques, money orders or bank drafts i have had people deceive me with that, and won't accept that from anyone, i have had my own fair share of rental experience since i put this flat out to let.



I was discussing with my Lawyer about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not just waste my time to london without acheiving my the aim and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union Money Transfer.



She said that Western Union Money Transfer can actually hold the money as an evidence and surety that her tenant will pay her at least for the first month and deposit. She gave me an option on what we can do since you have the funds at hand which will be explained below:



PROCEDURE:



1) Transfer the amount £800 (1 month rent and security deposit) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend.



Your name (as sender) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend (as Receiver) in London or other parts of UK.



2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union Money Transfer transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction or mail me the transaction details. (The money is safe as it is only you that can withdraw since you need a national ID card or International passport)



3) Then, we will meet for viewing.



4) If you decide to take the room, we will go to any local Western Union Money Transfer office for you to pick up the money and pay me. (You don't need to come with cash to view, after viewing we will go together, you will cancel the transfer and withdraw the money to pay me).



5) Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.



I am pretty sure that the transaction at Western Union Money Transfer office will require some charges, i will definitely refund the transaction charges back to you upon viewing and if you don't see what i sent as pictures of my flat to you, you are free to leave without paying me anything.



I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this condition, both of us can be sure we are not wasting our time.



I will only rely on your honesty that you have made the transaction so that i can reserve the flat for you.



Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed. Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you and i am looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.



NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH TO PAY ONCE YOU HAVE VIEWED.



My contact number is 07984235937 i do have network problems with my phone at the moment but can receive text messages and then i can call you back at my spare time.



I am sorry for the lengthy mail, i only want to explain myself better.



Warm regards and have a nice day.



Hermione



07984235937

Actually had a few emails with an Anabella kozlov with exactly the same emails posted here.. trying to get me to western union her £1000 for rental property... unfortunatly i was suspicious.. and only when the fone number was given i could google it... as the name Anabella Kozlov did not show up on google.

Hi there,

I got the same from one "Aliona Lovat". I also got the similar with one "dave morris".

Here are the last emails I received from both and by google the mobile no. I found this thread.
.......................
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Reply to your ad:
Date: Tue, 24 May 2011 11:36:10 +0100 (BST)
From: Aliona Lovat <[email protected]>
To: ...........

Hi,

Let me know when you want to come and view my flat, so that i will plan my time here and make sure am there before you arrive.

The only thing is that i need double assurance, because i want to avoid traveling from Birmingham to London in vain, i can afford my fare, but i can't afford to waste my time.

My Lawyer will get a contract ready for you to sign if you like to take the flat after viewing and the keys will be handed over to you immediately after contract has been signed.

Also, receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you'll have to sign the lease agreement form.

I was discussing with my Lawyer about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not just waste my time to London without achieving my the aim and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union Money Transfer.

She said that Western Union Money Transfer can actually hold the money as an evidence and surety that her tenant will pay her at least for the first month and deposit. She gave me an option on what we can do since you have the funds at hand which will be explained below:

PROCEDURE:

1) Transfer the amount £1800 (1 month rent and security deposit) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend.

Your Name (as Sender) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend (as Receiver) in London or other parts of UK.

2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction or mail me the transaction details. (The money is safe as it is only you that can withdraw since you need a national ID card or International passport)

3) Then, we will meet for viewing.

4) If you decide to take the flat, we will go to any local Western Union Money Transfer office for you to pick up the money and pay me. (You don't need to come with cash to view, after viewing we will go together, you will cancel the transfer and withdraw the money to pay me).

5) Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.

I am pretty sure that the transaction at Western Union office will require some charges, i will definitely refund the transaction charges back to you upon viewing and if you don't see what i sent as pictures of my flat to you, you are free to leave without paying me anything.

I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this condition, both of us can be sure we are not wasting our time.

I will only rely on your honesty that you have made the transaction so that i can reserve the flat for you.


Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed. Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you and i am looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.

NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH TO PAY ONCE YOU HAVE VIEWED.

My contact number is 07984235937 i do have network problems with my phone at the moment but can receive text messages and then i can call you back at my spare time.

I am sorry for the lengthy mail, i only want to explain myself better.

Warm regards and have a nice day.

Aliona
07984235937
.....................................


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Reply to your ad:
Date: Mon, 23 May 2011 23:43:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: dave morris <[email protected]>
To:


Hello xxx,

I am not asking you to send any money to me,all i am asking you to do is to transfer the money to any one of your friend in United Kingdom Via western union and scan the receipt then send it to my email address for my solicitor to confirm if the money is deposited with the western Union,after the confirmation of the transaction,then I will arrange a Viewing for you asap,after viewing you can ask your friend to pick the money Up and I will like to have your contact number so that i can give you a call as soon as my solicitor have confirmed the statues of the transaction, I will refund the western union charges back to you during the viewing day.

Dave.

morris wrote:
> Hello,
>
> You can stay in my property for as long as you wish and my property is on the 2nd floor,You can rent my property from July/Aug,This is my contact number 07024092832 and Viewing my property is not a problem but you have to prove that you can afford the rent before you can view my property.I was discussing with my Solicitor about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not just waste my time to arrange a viewing for you and He advised that we can work out something via Western Union Money Transfer.He said that Western Union Money Transfer can actually hold the money as an evidence, He gave me an option on what we can do since you have the funds at hand which will be explained below:
>
> PROCEDURE:
>
> 1) Transfer the the amount £1,400 (1 month rent and security deposit) to your friend in United Kingdom.
> Your Name (as Sender) to your Friend (as Receiver) in United Kingdom .
>
> 2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction or mail me the transaction details. (The money is safe as it is only your Friend that can pick the money Up .after My solicitor have confirm that the money is with the western union,I will arrange a Viewing for you
>
> 3) Then, we will meet for viewing.
>
> 4) If you decide to take the property, we will go to any local Western Union office close to my property and pick up the money and pay me. (You don't need to come with cash to view, after viewing we will go together, your friend will pick the money Up and then you can pay the rent to me.
>
> 5) Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.
>
> I am pretty sure that the transaction at Western Union office will require some charges, i will definitely refund the Western Union charges back to you upon viewing .
>
> I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this condition, both of us can be sure we are not wasting our time.
>
> Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed. Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you and i am looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.
>
> NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH TO PAY ONCE YOU HAVE VIEWED.
>
> Dave.
>
>

It is such a cheek these people think they can get one over us! Really makes me angry! I posted an ad yesterday on Gum Tree and within a couple of hours of it being live Aliona Lovat jumped on it. There is another peson I'm in contact with [email protected] who I believe is a scam too. In regards to Aliona Lovat she has so far told me:

Hi,
It is located in 71, Pages Walk, London, Greater London, SE1 4HD, there is a High speed wireless internet connection, TV, Sky, Heater, En-suite bath, Central Heating System, Washing/Dryer machine, Car parking space and Garden.

I wanted to get back at this scammer so I told her my partner worked for the Fraud Squad (haha) When I asked for more details she sent:
Hi ,


Good to read from you again. Its fine with me for your boyfriend to check me out.


A lil about me : Am a 35years old fashion designer, very friendly.
I live in Birmingham. Reasons why we want to rent this place out is so that there will be a permanent occupant that will take care of the flat furniture's and keep the surroundings clean in my absence. We just need life in the flat.


About the flat : The flat was once a family flat till my old parents acquired a new property in Spain and moved, so i have been left in charge of this flat and nobody occupies the flat at the moment.


Concerning viewing: I can only travel from Birmingham to attend to serious tenants that are ready to move in and can prove that they can pay for the first months rent and one months deposit, i don't do general viewing. I need to know that you are serious and have the money to pay before i can come down to London.


I have a tight working schedule caused by my upcoming fashion show week, which preparations are on for at the moment with my coordinators from New York. You can search the map for that area and what you see in the pictures are what the interior of the flat looks like.


If you feel comfortable with that let me know, if not don't bother to reply so that we won't waste each others time.


Thanks and warm regards,

Aliona

I have replied just to see if the next message will be asking for the classic "Weston Union Transfer" which i expect it will be... Such a cheek!
In regards to [email protected] he I believe his next message will be wanting WU transfer as he has emailed me with...
Hello the property has enough parking space and it has gas central heater and you can move in with your pet so far they are well behaved and There will be no problem viewing the property, i am always free by 4pm week days and always available at weekends,just fix a time and keep me updated and i take you to the property but before viewing i will need a confirmation Proof to show that you are ready to get the property and perhaps capable of the Rent bill and this is due to the previous experience i have had in the past in trying to rent out this property.
Thanks and i hope to read from you soon
shawn smith

It is actually quite funny these people think they can get one over us...

Hi,

I have just been contacted by someone who is trying to perform the same s*** scam as described by LovelyScam:

The scammers fake name - "Lianne Erdogan" <[email protected]> and the email sent is as follows:

[i]Since you are ready to view,i will plan my time here and make sure am there before you arrive.



The only thing is that i need double assurance, because i want to avoid traveling from Birmingham to london in vain, i can afford my fare, but i can't afford to waste my time.



My Lawyer will get a contract ready for you to sign if you like to take the room after viewing and the keys will be handed over to you immediately after contract has been signed.



Also, receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you'l have to sign the lease agreement form.



I was discussing with my Lawyer about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not just waste my time to london without acheiving my the aim and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union Money Transfer.



She said that Western Union Money Transfer can actually hold the money as an evidence and surety that her tenant will pay her at least for the first month and deposit. She gave me an option on what we can do since you have the funds at hand which will be explained below:



PROCEDURE:



1) Transfer the amount £600 (3 week rent and security deposit) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend.



Your name (as sender) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend (as Receiver) in London or other parts of UK.



2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union Money Transfer transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction or mail me the transaction details. (The money is safe as it is only you that can withdraw since you need a national ID card or International passport)



3) Then, we will meet for viewing.



4) If you decide to take the room, we will go to any local Western Union Money Transfer office for you to pick up the money and pay me. (You don't need to come with cash to view, after viewing we will go together, you will cancel the transfer and withdraw the money to pay me).



5) Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.



I am pretty sure that the transaction at Western Union Money Transfer office will require some charges, i will definitely refund the transaction charges back to you upon viewing and if you don't see what i sent as pictures of my flat to you, you are free to leave without paying me anything.



I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this condition, both of us can be sure we are not wasting our time.



I will only rely on your honesty that you have made the transaction so that i can reserve the flat for you.



Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed. Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you and i am looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.



NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH TO PAY ONCE YOU HAVE VIEWED.



My contact number is 07984235937 i do have network problems with my phone at the moment but can receive text messages and then i can call you back at my spare time.



I am sorry for the lengthy mail, i only want to explain myself better.



Warm regards and have a nice day.



Lianne



07984235937

She has changed her name to Mariya Dolinska


Sent: 04 July 2011 17:30
To: David Mitchelhill
Subject: Re: Reply to your ad: 1 Bedroom Flat West London for 10-12 weeks from 1st July

Hi David,


Let me know when you want to come and view my flat, so that i will plan my time here and make sure am there before you arrive.


The only thing is that i need double assurance, because i want to avoid traveling from Birmingham to London in vain, i can afford my fare, but i can't afford to waste my time.


My Lawyer will get a contract ready for you to sign if you like to take the flat after viewing and the keys will be handed over to you immediately after contract has been signed.


Also, receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you'll have to sign the lease agreement form.


I am sorry but i don't do reference, bank statements, cheques, money orders or bank drafts i have had people deceive me with that, and won't accept that from anyone, i have had my own fair share of rental experience since i put this flat out to let.


I was discussing with my Lawyer about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not just waste my time to London without achieving my the aim and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union Money Transfer.


She said that Western Union Money Transfer can actually hold the money as an evidence and surety that her tenant will pay her at least for the first month and deposit. She gave me an option on what we can do since you have the funds at hand which will be explained below:


PROCEDURE:


1) Transfer the amount £1400 (1 month rent and security deposit) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend.


Your Name (as Sender) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend (as Receiver) in London or other parts of UK.


2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction or mail me the transaction details. (The money is safe as it is only you that can withdraw since you need a national ID card or International passport)


3) Then, we will meet for viewing.


4) If you decide to take the flat, we will go to any local Western Union Money Transfer office for you to pick up the money and pay me. (You don't need to come with cash to view, after viewing we will go together, you will cancel the transfer and withdraw the money to pay me).


5) Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.


I am pretty sure that the transaction at Western Union office will require some charges, i will definitely refund the transaction charges back to you upon viewing and if you don't see what i sent as pictures of my flat to you, you are free to leave without paying me anything.


I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this condition, both of us can be sure we are not wasting our time.


I will only rely on your honesty that you have made the transaction so that i can reserve the flat for you.


Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed. Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you and i am looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.


NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH TO PAY ONCE YOU HAVE VIEWED.


My contact number is 07984235937 i do have network problems with my phone at the moment but can receive text messages and then i can call you back at my spare time.


I am sorry for the lengthy mail, i only want to explain myself better.


Warm regards and have a nice day.


Mariya


07984235937

Hi,
I received exactly the same thing from:
Aneta Doreste <[email protected]>

Can we do sth? With the police or sth? Any idea?