Room for Rent and other rental scams
by Michelle Mon Apr 04, 2011 1:55 pm
From: Carol Carol <[email protected]>
Date: 4 April 2011 18:51
Subject: Apartment Viewing & Moving
To: Michelle Banks


Hi Again,

Thanks again for your interest in my flat, I would like to meet you
but I'm a very busy person and not in town right now. I'm here again
in Dublin Airport,Ireland as cabin crew.I could be back in two weeks
time, but that would not stop your viewing and moving because i have a
cousin to show you the property

I would be sending you the apartment keys and necessary documents
straight away .I understand your concern and accept that you have to
see the flat first before any payment. But you would not be paying me
a penny just now. You only need to transfer the security deposit and a
months rent to any of your friends,family, partner or co worker in the
UK through any western union outlet so that i can be sure that you are
ready and capable to rent my apartment,If I could confirm the money is
with western union, I would Courier the keys and Documents to you
immediately, If I cant get away from work.

Since the credit crunch a lot of wannabee tenants end up not serious
nor capable of the rent. but I can place a bet you will surely like
the apartment. Upon my arrival, you will sign the lease contract which
will be prepared by my lawyer,pay me the refundable security deposit
and rent in cash when you have lifted it from the Western union. This
is done for security of both parties since I am not in town and
urgency may be involved.

I understand your situation right now and maybe we can work things
out,but I need to know that I’m not going to waste my tight
schedule.The transfer charges will be deducted from the first months
rent.I have attached my international passport with this mail because
you will need to print it out,take it to my apartment with the
documents and keys that I will send to you for your
moving/viewing.Should you need more clarification,please don’t
hesitate to get back to me as soon as possible,you can add me to your
MSN messenger [email protected] for Talks.Await your urgent
response

Looking forward to welcoming you into my apartment.


Best Regards,
Carol


Image

Fake Document / Passport Number M2408318

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.
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by Valina Sun Jul 03, 2011 7:56 pm
Hi! I would like to thank you all who write and who have created this site, because thanks to you I have been able to understand that a mail I received was actually a scam.
This "Carol Wallace" wrote me the same, identical email about the available room. I have to say she also attached a few photos, among which one with two girls. Through the new Google image search I was able to find out this photo actually belongs to a girl named Rebecca Grieve Lynne,who has a Facebook public account. But I have to say I don't even know if this account is fake or true, though I wanted to let you have more information, in case it's useful for someone to pursue justice, or for this girl to know her photo was taken. I also suggest to add this new google image search possibility among the tools you can use to understand scams!
Thanks again, I hope my words have been useful to someone! :)

Valentina
by Katharina Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:45 am
Hi Valentina,

yes, your post was valuable - thank you!

As for the FaceBook account, it may be the real person the scammer has stolen pictures from.

Everyone reading this:
If you have a FaceBook account, please check your settings and make your account accessible "For friends only" so nobody can steal your pictures.

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