by Michelle
Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:33 pm
*****
Last seen writing from IP 41.155.30.10 - Lagos, Nigeria.
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.
Last seen writing from IP 41.155.30.10 - Lagos, Nigeria.
From: Lynn Anne J ([email protected])
Sent: 11 March 2011 06:02:02
To: Michelle Banks
Hi,
Thanks for your response to my ad.The flat is two bedroom apartment and here is little details about the flat before we proceed.
Flat address: Nottingham Place, Marylebone,London
Post Code: W1U 5NT
Rent: £500 per month,all bills incuded for a room
Security deposit:£600 refundable after four weeks in the flat.
Minimum Stay: 1 Month(s)
Maximum stay:1 yr with the option of extending the contract after 12 months
Flat amenities:TV ,CD - DVD - Video,Radio,High-speed Internet with WiFi,Washing Machine ,dryer, Heating, iron and Ironing board,Gas cooker,oven, Electric Kettle,Toaster,Dishwasher,Refrigerator, Microwave e.t.c
The pictures of the flat are hereby attached with this email.
Location: This flat is right in the heart of the action:
- Only one minute’s walk to Marylebone High Street’s eating, drinking, and shopping.
- 3 minute’s walk and you’re frolicking in Regent’s Park.
- Shopping and the crowds on Oxford Street is a short 12 minute stroll down the high street.
Transport wise, what’s not in walking distance is easily accessible on the underground. The flat has the following zone 1 tube station options:
1. Baker Street tube station is 300m or a couple of minutes away: Bakerloo line, Jubilee line, Circle line, Metropolitan line, and Hammersmith & City line.
2. Bond Street tube station is 900m or 12 minutes walk: Central line, and Jubilee line.
(Also, Marylebone tube/rail is 800m/11mins walk, and Regent Park tube and Great Portland tube are 600m/5mins walk)
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Lynn.
From: Lynn Anne J <[email protected]>
To: Michelle Banks
Sent:Sat 11 March, 2011
Subject: Email me back to proceed
Hi Michelle
There's no problem in inviting you for the viewing,I currently work and live in Manchester so I will need to take a day off from work in order to come down to arrange the viewing with you.It is unfortunate that my past bitter experience of inviting people to come and view my flat without any form of confirmation of their financial ability and not keeping up to time as at when scheduled, has brought about great loss to me, is either they cannot afford the rent or the security deposit required but want me to come down with the aim of renegotiating
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 have consulted my lawyer and we have resolved that any potential tenants should be able to prove in the following way in order to determine who is financially buoyant and that he or she can stick to appointment when scheduled and able to pay his/her rent as at when due.In this case, a bank-statement or gurantee from your organization wont be accepted as we have had wayward tenants tendering fake documents.
He said that MoneyGram 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 £1100 (1 month rent and security deposit) to any of your family members or your friend via MoneyGram at the nearest post office. You can ask any of them to make the transfer to you either.
Your Name (as Sender) to any of your family members or your friend (as Receiver) in London or any of them make you the receiver.
2) Scan & Send a copy of the MoneyGram 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 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 MoneyGram outlet close to the flat 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 MoneyGram 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.
I am sorry for the lengthy mail, I only want to explain myself better.
Warm regards and have a nice day.
Regards,
Lynn.
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.
