Room for Rent and other rental scams
by pentesilea Tue Sep 06, 2011 11:38 am
This is the first e mail I recieved. I answered a month later and the rooms were still available, it's strange because the apartement is located in the center of Rome so they shoul be already rented. The photos of the rooms looked too beatiful to be true.
Like other scammers che asked for money without the possibility of visiting the apartement.
I searched her name "Marie Constance Lecru" on the internet and didn't found anything. Looks like a fake name.
So probably she is a scam


First mail :


Hi Flatmate,

I noticed in your profile in EasyStanza you were in search of a room lucky enough. I have a Well furnished apartment suitable and decent for a Perfect roomate, the apartment is ready for immediate move in and it is located in 27 via luca della robbia, City Centre, Rome, 00153 Italy. Before i start telling you about it, it is only right that I let you know more about me being your potential flatmate so that you can know somethings about me. My name is Marie Constance Lecru and I am a 23 years old Female. I live alone in the apartment and there are two rooms for rent. The apartment belongs to my parents although they don't live with me but in a retirement home in United Kingdom.

About the apartment:
Three Double room with closet storage, private bathroom and toilet in all rooms. Two rooms available for rent.
Large living/dining area
Large balcony
Sky Digital hooked up to large LCD TV
7 Meg Wireless broadband
Storage Heating
Wooden floors throughout
All mod cons such as microwave, electric hob/oven, washing machine/dryer etc
Main bathroom has bath/shower (Other bedroom is en-suite, so you would pretty much have the main bathroom to yourself).

About the location:

27 via luca della robbia, City Centre, Rome, 00153

Mini apartment complete with everything (laundry, air conditioning, internet, washing machine, refrigerator, freezer, TV, CD player, etc.) consists of a kitchen, a bedroom with double sofa bed and a single bed loft and a bathroom with shower. Pets are welcome, just 50 meters from the house there is a fenced area where they can play freely. The house is centrally located in an area well served by public transport and the metro, as well as from trains to Fiumicino airport. It 'a very lively and characteristic, very famous for its restaurants and little typical tourist, so loved by the Romans. Nearby, rooms of alltypes.

The rent is 450 euro, this rent includes the cost of the utilities and you would also be required to pay asecurity deposit as is the custom, the security deposit would be refunded to you at the end of your stay in the apartment if nothing is destroyed by you during your stay in the apartment. The deposit is 550euro.

I am calm and laidback person and my hobbies are reading, swimming and also at times on fridays/weekend, I attend social events but I have not being having the opportunity dues to my work to hang out with my friends but when I am free I go to the pool to relax my mind and also unwind. I also visit the gym to keep fit at times.. ;)

Let me also know more about you because I believe it is essential that we get to know each other before we become flatmates. I shall be glad to send you pictures and also the contract so that we can conclude and be good flatmates.

Regards,

Marie




Second mail:


Hi Flatmate,

Thanks for your mail,the rooms are still available and Like i said,my apartment has 3 rooms and a living room,so i use one room while two is for rent. The rent for the apartment is 450 Euro per month while you would also make a security deposit of 550 Euro.This deposit would be refunded to you at the end of your stay in the apartment if nothing is destroyed during your stay.

Before we proceed though,there are some conditions and rules and I will like us to decide on and it just requires your conscent and afterwards we can proceed with the contract and for me to reserve the room you so you can move in as soon as you want to,i will need you to get back to me with the following:

1.You shall sign a document confirming that the room has been reserved for you

2.You shall make your first month payment to me

3.You shall have to read the agreement contract which i shall send to you firstly as an attached mail before you make your payment. For the document to be prepared successfully,I would be needing the following details:

(1) Your move in and out date;

(2) Your current address and also the address where you would like the keys to the apartment,the Original copy of the contract and also the receipt of payment sent to after confirmation of payment from me which you shall sign and bring along with you when moving in finally as my room mate

(3) Your scanned ID passport for identification

(4) Your Full name

(5) The total months you will like to stay in my apartment

(6) Mobile #

The house is located at
27 via luca della robbia, City Centre, Rome, 00153 Italy. The apartment is on the 2nd floor with elevator and can welcome 4 guests. This apartment is ideally situated.It overviews the courtyard with a large window.The living room is well furnished and perfect, I am not around for now and would not be back for sometime, I am in United Kingdom now and would be back by the end of December 2011. As soon as i have confirmed you as my flatmate for reservation, My mother will send you the Keys to the apartment by mail and also send the contract documents and receipt aswell.

I hope you quite understand me and everything?

There is also a washer and dryer in the apartment for the laundry needs and also to the apartment has a car park.Infact,it has being allotted two car spaces.

I wait to read from you soonest to continue the contract and further details about the documents towards having you as my room mate.

Warmest regards,

Marie
Advertisement

by Katharina Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:33 pm
Welcome pentesilea! Thank you for reporting this scammer.
You can find this bit of text
I am calm and laidback person and my hobbies are reading, swimming and also at times on fridays/weekend


here: viewtopic.php?p=49583#p49583

Scammers use scripts. Sometimes a gang shares the same script, or one scammer copies and pastes scripts he finds on the internet. When you take a phrase of the text and enter it into Google between quotation marks "...." you are often able to find other sites with the same script posted.
by dayanita Thu Sep 08, 2011 8:00 am
Ciao tutti
I have to say, I also received from the same girl LECRU CONSTANCE MARIE , exactly the 2 same mails you have posted here,,, incredible.. Im looking for a place in milan and the second mail she sent to me was "too perfect" for the conditions of the apartment to be true. Let me post the mails:

(first one)

Hi Flatmate,

I noticed in your profile in EasyStanza you were in search of a room lucky enough. I have a Well furnished apartment suitable and decent for a Perfect roomate, the apartment is ready for immediate move in and it is located in 22 Via Martiri Oscuri, Main Stazione Centrale Railway Station, Milan, 20127 Italy. Before i start telling you about it, it is only right that I let you know more about me being your potential flatmate so that you can know somethings about me. My name is Marie Constance Lecru and I am a 23 years old Female. I live alone in the apartment and there are two rooms for rent. The apartment belongs to my parents although they don't live with me but in a retirement home in United States.

About the apartment:
Two Single room with closet storage, private bathroom and toilet in all rooms.
Large living/dining area
Large balcony
Sky Digital hooked up to large LCD TV
7 Meg Wireless broadband
Storage Heating
Wooden floors throughout
All mod cons such as microwave, electric hob/oven, washing machine/dryer etc
Main bathroom has bath/shower (Other bedroom is en-suite, so you would pretty much have the main bathroom to yourself).

About the location:

22 Via Martiri Oscuri, Main Stazione Centrale Railway Station, Milan, 20127


The rent is 450 euro, this rent includes the cost of the utilities and you would also be required to pay a security deposit as is the custom, the security deposit would be refunded to you at the end of your stay in the apartment if nothing is destroyed by you during your stay in the apartment. The deposit is 550euro.

I am calm and laidback person and my hobbies are reading, swimming and also at times on fridays/weekend, I attend social events but I have not being having the opportunity dues to my work to hang out with my friends but when I am free I go to the pool to relax my mind and also unwind. I also visit the gym to keep fit at times.. ;)

Let me also know more about you because I believe it is essential that we get to know each other before we become flatmates. I shall be glad to send you pictures and also the contract so that we can conclude and be good flatmates.

Regards,

Marie

I told her I only could pay Euro400 and she respond me as follows:

(2nd mail)

Hi Flatmate,

Thanks for your mail,the rooms are still available and Like i said,my apartment has 3 rooms and a living room,so i use one room while two is for rent.The rent for the apartment is 400 Euro per month while you would also make a security deposit of 550 Euro.This deposit would be refunded to you at the end of your stay in the apartment if nothing is destroyed during your stay.

Before we proceed though,there are some conditions and rules and I will like us to decide on and it just requires your conscent and afterwards we can proceed with the contract and for me to reserve the room you so you can move in as soon as you want to,i will need you to get back to me with the following:

1.You shall sign a document confirming that the room has been reserved for you

2.You shall make your first month payment to me

3.You shall have to read the agreement contract which i shall send to you firstly as an attached mail before you make your payment. For the document to be prepared successfully,I would be needing the following details:

(1) Your move in and out date;

(2) Your current address and also the address where you would like the keys to the apartment,the Original copy of the contract and also the receipt of payment sent to after confirmation of payment from me which you shall sign and bring along with you when moving in finally as my room mate

(3) Your scanned ID passport for identification

(4) Your Full name

(5) The total months you will like to stay in my apartment

(6) Mobile #

The house is located at
22 Via Martiri Oscuri, Main Stazione Centrale Railway Station, Milan, 20127 Italy. The apartment is on the 2nd floor with elevator and can welcome 4 guests. This apartment is ideally situated.It overviews the courtyard with a large window.The living room is well furnished and perfect, I am not around for now and would not be back for sometime, I am in United Kingdom now and would be back by the end of December 2011. As soon as i have confirmed you as my flatmate for reservation, My mother will send you the Keys to the apartment by mail and also send the contract documents and receipt aswell.

I hope you quite understand me and everything?

There is also a washer and dryer in the apartment for the laundry needs and also to the apartment has a car park.Infact,it has being allotted two car spaces.

I wait to read from you soonest to continue the contract and further details about the documents towards having you as my room mate.

Warmest regards,


And also she attached incledible photos of the apartment...

I sarted to doubt, and so I decided to look for her name in internet and I found ur post!!!
it is incredible how some people can cheat other people in such a way,, im really look for a place to live coz in a few days i will have to leave my place,,, u can think u already have a place and then,, u have nothing :S
by Gus Thu Sep 22, 2011 9:48 am
Thank you for posting these updates - it makes it more likely that other potential victims can discover this scam before it is too late.
by alexjolls Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:55 am
Hi All!!!

Just wanted to update and also thankyou for this posting. I must admit it all seemed too good to be true and I did a little research when I found this archive!

FYI

The scammer is now posting themselves under the name: Mylène Cabrera
and the email address: [[email protected]]

Similar story about being away in the uk blah blah and still same address: 27 Via Luca Della Robbia.

Such a joke.

Anyways hope someone will see this and do exactly what I did - tell them to shove it!

Best regards,

Alex.
by Bubbles Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:24 pm
Welcome to ScamWarners Alex Thank you for the update. It may or may not be the same scammer. Scammers often use the same scripts. This is why the email address is so helpful too.

Bubbles, former Scamwarners moderator.

Rest in Peace 24 June 2015.

Gone, but never forgotten.
by emmapowell Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:22 am
I cannot believe this!! I was ABOUT to pay the deposit after recieving the exact same emails detailed above and decided to do a google search for the area and this post came up! THANK YOU to the person who posted this warning....you've just saved me from a whole bunch of trouble!!!!! I hope this girl gets caught.
PS she is now operating under the name Hanifi Meriem and her email address is [email protected]
by Gus Thu Oct 06, 2011 7:54 am
Welcome and thank you for posting, emmapowell. I'm very glad you found the postings before making a payment!
These scammers change email addresses so often it's very helpful to have your update including the latest names and addresses they're using.
by scottburns901 Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:50 pm
I have just received the exact same email with the same name, Hanifi Meriem. This is pretty disgusting to be honest.
by droors Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:00 pm
I'm looking for a room in Paris and I have recived and scam from Meriem Hanifi, this is the part of her first mail:

"Je suis une femme facile à vivre et s'entend avec la plupart des. Mon nom est Meriem Hanifi, je suis âgé de 23 ans et je suis un journaliste. Je ne boire quelques bières ou un verre de vin de temps en temps, mais tient à garder les choses sur le côté moelleux. J'ai une vie sociale importante, mais ma maison est un endroit pour se détendre et se ressourcer.

Vous aurez un accès libre et illimité à toutes les partie de l'appartement, la cuisine, la salle de séjour et bien sûr, sauf ma chambre, et vous pouvez aussi avoir vos propres visiteurs. Le loyer pour la chambre est de 450 euros par mois et cela inclut les factures de services publics (tout inclus) et vous serez tenu de payer une caution de 550 Euro. Ce dépôt de garantie sera remboursé à la fin de votre séjour dans mon appartement, si rien n'est dommages.

J'espère que cela vous convient bien et si vous avez des questions s'il vous plaît n'hésitez plus à me demander, J'ai également joint les photos de mon appartement pour vous

Cordialement et en attente de vous lire bientôt, Meriem"

And this is the second mail with the scam:

"Je suis actuellement aux Etats-Unis pour des stages et raison de mon travail et un calendrier serré, vous pouvez venir voir mon appartement et de ses environs, et c'est pourquoi je cherche quelqu'un qui est d'essayer de nettoyer et agréable aux gens de louer ma chambre, quelqu'un qui peut prendre soin de mon bien la façon dont vous prenez soin de la leur. Pour que nous puissions poursuivre, nous sommes d'accord et de conclure le palais du papier, le whish doit être envoyé avant la salle peut être confirmée et réserve pour vous.

Pour que nous puissions poursuivre, nous allons être d'accord et de conclure sur le document immeuble, l whish doivent envoyer à vous avant que la pièce peut être de confirmer et de réserve pour vous.

Voici les détails nécessaires pour le document immeuble à être préparé pour nous:

* Votre nom complet
* Votre déménagement à l'intérieur et la date de départ;
* Votre adresse actuelle ainsi que l'adresse où vous souhaitez que les clés de l'appartement sera envoyé lorsque l'on doit avoir accepté.
* Votre numéro de passeport numérisé pour l'identification

La maison est située au:
Rue de la Colonie
75013 Paris, France

Je suis actuellement dans les États-Unis maintenant et serait de retour avant la fin de Décembre 2012. Dès que je vous ai confirmé que ma colocataire de réservation, Mon Père vous enverra les clés de l'appartement par courrier et envoyer les documents contractuels et aswell de réception."

She ask for payment for the room without having seen it . I have seen that she have also and ad in craiglist Berlin. Her mail is [email protected].

Be careful with her!
by cutieboi86 Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:23 pm
Here is what I received and it is exactly what has been said to you guys. How do we take her down. The email that I had was different with a girls name of Feibelman Jennifer Lyn, I actually talked to her, but when you look at who is sending the email it says Meriem Hanifi

1. Hi Ricky,

I have a room available for a working professional or student with steady income. It's Available for long or short term rent located at quiet clean and safe area. it's fully furnished and spacious, This is 42msq apartment with 2 bedrooms and 2 bath in a quiet, safe neighborhood and 2nd floor with elevator and can welcome four guests.. Remodel bath, updated kitchen, in house laundry, hardwood floors throughout. I am willing to rent my apartment with a mature, responsible.

The ideal roommate is someone who pay the rent on time, and cleans up after themselves. I am looking for a person who is currently employed like myself since I am working female. I enjoy cooking, take dancing lesson and reading. The place is tastefully decorated with all amenities washer, dryer, and wireless internet. You can experience to live in the city like a local, and since you will have access to your own kitchen you won’t have to be on the constant lookout for restaurants.

-Clean, respectable, and considerate.
-Financially responsible who can pay the rent on the 1st, no excuses....
-May consider a small pet if it is trained.

Location: 711 W Gordon #511, Chicago, IL 60613

I'm an easy going female and gets along with most. I'm Feibelman Jennifer Lyn, 20 years old I'm a Journalist. I'm originally from Alabama. I do drink a few beers or have a glass of wine from time to time, but like to keep things on the mellow side. I have an extensive social life, but my home is a place to relax and recharge.

You will have free and unlimited access to all part of the apartment, the Kitchen, the living room and of course except my room, and you can also have your own visitors. The rent for the room is $550 Per Month and this includes the utility bills (all included) and you will be required to pay a security deposit of $350. This security deposit will be refunded to you at the end of your stay in my apartment if nothing is damage.

I hope it suits you well and if you have any more questions please feel free to ask me, I also attached the pictures of my apartment for you

Regards and waiting to read from you soon,

Jennifer

2.Hi Flatmate,

Thanks for your mail,the rooms are still available and Like i said,my apartment has 3 rooms and a living room,so i use one room while two is for rent.The rent for the apartment is $550 Per Month while the security deposit is $350, and it is refundable at the end of your stay if nothing was destroy during your stay, either by you nore your guest.

There is also a washer and dryer in the apartment for the laundry needs and also to the apartment has a car park. Infact it has being allotted two car spaces.

I am not currently in Chicago but though you can still come and check out the apartment and the surrounding, but you may not be able to see the inside as l am not around at the moment due to my work, that is why l seek for friendly and neat person to rent the room.

For us to proceed, we shall have to agree and conclude on the tenement document, which l have to send to you before the room can be confirm and reserve for you.

Here are the details needed for the tenement document to be prepared for us:

* Your Full name

* Your move in and out date;

* Your current address and also the address where you would like the keys to the apartment be sent to when we must have agreed.

* Your scanned ID passport for identification

The house is located on:

Location: 711 W Gordon #511, Chicago, IL 60613

The Apartment is on the 2nd floor with elevator and can welcome 4 guests. This apartment is ideally situated. It overviews the courtyard with a large window.The living room is well furnished and perfect, I am not around for now and would not be back for sometime. As soon as i have confirmed you as my flatmate for reservation, My mother will send you the Keys to the apartment by mail and also send the contract documents and receipt aswell.

I hope you quite understand me and everything?

I wait to read from you soonest so that we can get along with the contract and for you to be confirm.

Warmest regards,

Jennifer

NB: You can text me on 765-233-6183 by the way i just sent you a text and get back to me
by Dotti Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:58 pm
"She" is actually probably not a "she" at all--the specific English mistakes tell me the author is African, and these scammers are typically young African men. African scammers often pretend to be women because targets are often less suspicious of women than men.

The scammer has used all fake information. The phone number will be a VOIP or magic jack number that can be answered anywhere in the world. The scammer has absolutely no connection to the properties he is advertising, and has probably never even been near them--he is literally just stealing photos and descriptions from the internet. Even "personal" photos will simply be taken from online. The scammer is most likely in Africa or Malaysia.

What this means is that the scammer is virtually untraceable. Victims who lose money can and should report the loss to the authorities, but typically an investigation won't be launched unless there are very large sums of money involved (in American dollars we're talking hundreds of thousands), either from one victim or several combined victims who have sent money to the same.

It's unfortunate, but the costs of international investigations are very high (and there is a tremendous amount of red tape too), and the resources just aren't available to track down all of these scammers. That is why posting and warning is so important.

Need to post photos? http://scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=3219
Are you a victim of a romance scam? Read here for advice and FAQ's.
by sweetxcandy Mon Aug 19, 2013 2:07 am
Geez, I guess SHE IS BACK! :yikes: She tried scam me! She seems decided to use her "old name" Jennifer. Look the bottom, that is what she emailed to me. Funny thing is she told me in email that she have one bedroom in apartment but she sent me few of pictures which is look like house. Photos actually show the house, yard, living room and dining room. It looked too beautiful to be true. So, I decided search her name in google and found this site. :=) Thank god, I did search before I do anything.

I AM GLAD HER NAME GUIDE ME TO HERE; THIS SITE. :party: Seriously!

AGAIN, THIS SITE is so perfect! :bowdown: THIS SITE. SERIOUSLY :bowdown:

Hi,

I have a well Furnished one Bed Room Apartment for rent in Irving, TX, The Apartment in a good neighbourhood, The picture to the apartment has been attached to this email. close to many restaurants and grocery stores with laundry IN the building. It has a good sized living room, new kitchen, and new bathroom. Below are the Apartment Amenities

Apartment Appliances and Equipment:

- Linen, Washing Machine, Iron, vacuum cleaner.
- Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Freezer, Cooking rings, Oven, Microwave,Dinnerware and serving pieces, Toaster, Coffee Maker, Kettle.
- TV, cable TV basic access, DVD player, Internet by ADSL-CABLE.
- Heating: Electricity
- Hot water: Electricity,Gas, Internet
-Trash Pickup
-Fully furnished bedroom (full size bed, chair, desk, drawers, lamps, shelf) Comfortable, bright, quiet, clean bedroom in 'Ready for move-in' condition.

My Name is Feibelman Jennifer Lyn, 21 years old I'm a Journalist. I'm originally from Alabama, I am barely at home this days Due to my Work, that is why i am renting out my 1 Bed Room Apartment, I am friendly, Clean, and Respectful,Non smoking person, I do no Drugs, I am looking for someone to move in as soon as possible, Seeking a Neat,Clean Responsible Person who is Respectful of Others and Who Does not Fight or Do Drugs. I am a Good Cook, My Hobbies Include swimming,Watching Football,Fashion Shows, Reading and Traveling. In fact I Love Music,Movies,going to Cinemas/Theater,Tennis,Bowling and NASCAR

Apartment Address: 3146 W Northgate Dr, Irving, TX 75062

Floor : 2nd Floor

Price: Rent is $600 per month Include all Charges

Deposit: $400

Pet Allowed, Couples Allowed.

I hope it suits you well and if you have any questions you can certainly ask me, I also attached pictures of the apartment to this email. You can move in as soon as possible.

Jennifer

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