scam Michelle Brehn

Allo Allo,

I have placed an ad on gumtree which is currently active. I have received 8 replies 7 of which I believe to be fake. I have listed the names below that i believe to be fake. Please note as a disclaimer because I believe them to be fake doesn't mean they are. I offer this information so that anyone reading this post will approach emails sent from these people with added caution, and preferably extreme caution. I do know for sure that 4 or 5 are fake I did not have time to talk with and examine each reply in detail.
1 year ago I placed an add on gumtree for a room to rent. I am surprised to see the scammers are using the same photographs and email addresses now as they did 1 year ago.
One thing I have noticed is the scammers seem to use strange grammar. Although the body of the text is competent English there will be something that suggests English is not their mother tongue. Again as a disclaimer I am sure many genuine people placing advertisements are not native English speakers.
I believe the names below are fictions invented by teh one one person. My particular irritation with this scam is not that someone will fleece me X amount of dollars, but that having been on a plane or in transit for 24 hours, ( I am in Aus) I will arrive in London in the rain, without the shelter promised. I then need to take a hotel at last minute and begin searching for a flat or a room....which may take a week.


Here is a list of the names or email adresses I believe to be fake:

Mustermann Erika
Michelle Brehn
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Mabel.Hart
sarah smith
carol prosser
debbie sellers
josefinhammaren

Welcome to ScamWarners patrickpatrick1. Please do post up some of the actual emails you received. Also if you have email addresses that go with the names you listed that would be helpful.

Sadly online sites like Gumtree are rife with scammers. It is wonderful that you figured this one out.

Hello Bubbles,

Thank you for your welcome, here is a letter received from one person who has I suspect, less than honorable intentions. I will post 2 only as I do not want to bore people.
The 'name' and email associated to this letter are:

From: Mustermann Erika ([email protected])


Hello,

I got your email through Gumtree...

Below are the details of my flat with the picture of the house and the rooms for rent,The flat was recently furnished as an extension. It has its own entrance and reserved car parking area and is only a few minutes walk from the shops, post office, garage, bank and other amenities.

On Your Doorstep - Restaurants, Cafes, Theaters, Health Food Store, Gyms. Very close to Supermarkets & Oxford Street. Ideal for Living and Work! More importantly it is peaceful at night so it is ideal for sleeping too! Perfect Place to Enjoy the Best Side of London!

Has WiFi Wireless Internet Broadband, Gas Central Heating, Large Living Room, TV/DVD Player, Washer/Dryer, Small Balcony, Setback in a Quiet Courtyard. Also has Front Door Double Entry System so it is Very Safe. Its a Double flat which consist of two single room and two double room per each flat with fitted wardrobe and chest of drawers,and an adjacent tiled bathroom with shower. The large sitting room has a double bed settee with sprung mattress, wood burning stove, library of books, internet connection,TV/video, radio/CD,watching machine occasional tables and additional seating. The Sky Free sat satellite TV system has been installed to provide you with a comprehensive range of television ...

The tiled kitchen is extremely well equipped with a fridge/freezer,electric oven, microwave, washer, tumble dryer and dishwasher.There is a dining table and chairs, and a full complement of crockery,cutlery and kitchen utensils.The flat is centrally-heated, and there is no additional charge for electricity, bed-linen or towels.It also Located within a secure development this well proportioned double two bedroomed duplex flat arranged in excellent condition throughout and features a balcony .

The property comprises good-sized private kitchen,bathroom and toilet for each room and only the living room is shared and off-street parking .
This Stunning One Single bedroom and One Double bedroom is available in a flat 2 mins from Marble Arch tube and Oxford Street. Nice apartment , decent sized double room with communal dining area / kitchen. available for SHORT LET AND SERVICED upon request...this flat is available and best for international personnel who are in London so study or internship...it contains a small desk which is good for reading and also a space where books can be kept separately.....this amazing flat comprises a kitchenette with microwave and a mini fridge, en-suite shower / wc with heated towel rail, neutral décor, fully furnished, laminate wood effect flooring, free broadband internet, free digital tv and selected sky channels, free shared laundry facilities, use of shared garden, video entryphone, the rent includes electricity, water and heating,zone 1 (Central London).

The flat tariff is £300 per month, £114 per week with all bills included for the Single room and the double room is £500 per month and £140 per week with all bills included as well,
£600 security deposit which you will be paying with rent upon arrival/when you want to move into my flat and it will be refund back to you when you want to move out of my flat.

Personal info:
#Nationality: British Serbian
#Name: Dana Kovacevic
#Age: 55years
#Profession:Nursing
#Address: Gloucester Place,
# Marylebone,
#London W1U 6JQ.

The nearest underground station is Marble Arch(2min) and Arrogant cat which make it outstanding and perfect for the rent price and deposit and Contract shall be provided upon your arrival due to security reason.

Lastly.... I have some personal information i wish to confirmed from you before we could proceed:

1) Do you have the rent and deposit with you presently?
2) Do you really want to rent my flat or you just wished to view?
3) Are you renting it alone or with someone?
4) Which country are you from?
5)Where are u located right now?
6) Since when have you arrived in London/ when are you coming to London?
7) Do you smoke?

If you are not already in London and you want me to keep the room for you till you arrive then you will need to reserve it and reserving my flat does not mean you have agreed to rent it and its also free to reserve my flat.

Incase you want a fast conclusion about my flat then add me to your MSN or Skype:

MSN: [email protected]
Skype: dana.kovacevic876

Am sure to receive response from you soon...

Cheers.





this is also an email I received from a Michelle Brenn:
email address - michelle.brehn @hotmail.com
Along with the email were attached photographs of a very nice apartment. The contents of the apartment, furniture and decor, were quite sumptuous, and for a simple 120 pounds per week quite enticing, cheese for the trap no doubt.

Thanks for the interest you have in my flat. My flat is still available for rent and you can rent my flat as long as you pay your rent at when due. Here are the necessary things you need to know about the rent and deposit. My flat is located at Palace Court London W2 4LP.

Rent : £ 120.00 pw
Security Deposit: £ 400.00 (Returnable at the end of a month stay in my flat)
Utility bills inclusive ( water, gas, council tax, TV license and wireless Internet Electricity. Except house cleaner bill) Utility Cost : £ 0.00 pcm

House use are:

Gas central heating
wi-fi internet
phone
Washing machine
Microwave
Dish washer
refrigerator.

However, my flat is not shared apartment but you can share my flat with anyone you like and it's fully furnished in and out with all necessary house use also benefits a secured parking space. At this stage that you want to rent my flat, i need to know some few question about you and where your are coming from to stay in my flat. Can you take care of my flat as it is? How many months do you intend to rent and pay for? Do you have references in London?

Kindly reply for further information and i would like to know where you are coming from to stay in my flat.

Regards
Mr/Mrs Brehn

another:


Carol Prosser

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To:
From: Carol Prosser ([email protected])
Sent: Friday, 26 August 2011 7:53:19 AM
To:

Attachments: 2 attachments | Download all as zip (322.5 KB)
Assured S...pdf (191.1 KB) , Refund Po...pdf (131.4 KB)
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Hi Patrick Leslie,
Thanks again for the details you provide me.I am really much happy for you to be my new flatmate and can't wait to see you soon in my Flat. I could reserve my flat room for you. I have attached the contract Forms. You would need to read and sign them at the end of the last pages as soon as you finished with it, you will Re-attached it back to me as soon as possible today and bring it along with you.
You would see the information that you would need to send the Security Deposit plus a month rent which is 780 pounds. Don't forget that (The Security Deposit is fully refundable back at the first week we will meet in my flat without any charges). Please ensure you get back to me with the agreement form signed by you. So that we can proceed for the reservation asap.
Just go to your nearest Moneygram outlet location, they would be given you a slip to fill and you will fill below information:

Below is the (Moneygram) information:
NAME OF SENDER: Your Name
SENDERS ADDRESS: Your address.

NAME OF RECEIVER: My name.
RECEIVER ADDRESS: My flat address.
AMOUNT SENT: 780 pounds.

Please if you really know you like my flat and you want to be my flatmate then make sure you transfer the deposit asap. As soon as you made the payment, you will need to get back to me with following details So that my lawyer would issue out your confirmation booking room receipt for you which you will bring along with you. Then, the room will be reserve for you until you are ready to move in. Remember without my flat receipt i can not allow you to enter my house.
I await you reply soon

Carol Prosser

Same scammer here:
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=22523

and here:
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=22523&hilit=Michelle+Brehn

EDIT:
"Erika Mustermann" -
This name is German and means "Erika Sampleman". It is used by companies who want to show an example how a document would look.