Rental scam - Andries & Voortrekker

I was almost a victim of a rental scam while looking for a flat in Paris.
I've seen other people have posted about Andries & Voortrekker - same thing as most of the previous posts:
i found the flat on craigslist and got an email with a really long and detailed description of the place and a - fake, as it turns out - picture of the owner with his family.

This is the email address: [email protected] (Raphael Jourdan)
The name of the solicitor was Sharon Jane Mitchell;
they sent me a contract and asked for a deposit payment of 1500 euro via Moneygram or Western Union.
Strangely, they didn't openly ask for the money in advance: they actually went on for a while pretending to arrange a visit to the flat.
I figured out it was a scam before they could go trough with this visit bullshit, so I guess they would have asked for money at some point anyway.

If anyone comes across this email address on the web, beware.

Raphael Jourdan wrote:
Thank you for the interest you have in my apartment.

Nice Two bedrooms apartment with a very large reception room,dining and a separate study.
- Two bedrooms with large reception
- Large kitchen with washing machine
- Fridge +TV + free wireless internet access
- Suitable for 4 to 5 People
- Secured building with security door
- Fast Internet broad band
- This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom unit is located on the quaint street on second floor apartment in a brand new development in
the heart of Covent Garden. The property benefits from a spacious open plan kitchen/reception area with wooden floors
throughout. Both bedrooms have fitted wardrobes and are modern and contemporary in feel. Ideally located close to Covent
Garden's Piazza and the many attractions within the local area.

Address: 20 Bow St Westminster, London WC2E 7AW, UK

9-10 minutes to Regent Park st/ tube station. (UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER)
10-11 minutes to Great Portland st. Tube station (UCL/UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER)
9-10 minute from Warren st. Tube station (UCL)
15 minutes to Oxford Circus
15 minutes to Russell Square station (BIRBECK COLLEGE/SOAS)
10 minutes to Baker st. Tube station (UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER)
And the neighborhood is very safe enough.

PRICE PER WEEK: 250 GBP
PRICE PER MONTH: 1000 GBP
REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT: 600 GBP

I live in Paris presently, I have a job here and moved with my family last Summer. I have a 2 years contract with a very
good chance of an extension.
The key to the apartment is with me here so I will only be able to come show or hand over the keys to you after seriousness
has been established on your path.
Please read and understand this email to avoid any mis-understanding, I have had a few issue with enquirers.
The apartment is in a very conducive environment, there are lots of cultural attractions in the area, shopping centers,
restaurants and public transportation is just around the corner. If you do not wish to rent the whole apartment and would
prefer to share, there is an option for you to take one of the two rooms and I will get someone else to occupy the other
room. FIND ATTACHED THE APARTMENT PHOTOS.


MODE OF REGISTRATION.
A) Tenants will supply his/her details which will be forwarded to my lawyer to prepare the contract documents.
B) Tenants will email a confirmation message to me to confirm that he/she received the contract documents.
C) Tenants will print out the Contract Documents and then Sign it.
D) Tenants will pay the deposit payment via western union money transfer, money gram or Bank transfer, the receipt will be
attached to the contract documents and scan back to me for confirmation and proper documentations by my Lawyer.

NOTE: Please read through the email carefully and if you agree with the terms of the email, I want you to provide me with
the following details so I can forward it to my lawyer so She can prepare the contract documents ASAP.
You are to provide me with your,
Full Name................
Full Address.............
Nationality..............
Occupation:..............
Date of Move in:.........
Date of Move Out:........
Phone number.............
Sex.....Male or Female...

Regards.


Thank you!