Rental Scammer [email protected]

*******

Hi,

Yestarday I posted an ad on gumtree looking for a flat. My search is getting very hard due to the fact that I am looking for a flat that allow pets.

First replay to my ad was from [email protected] which was offering the property on 76, Mildmay Grove South, Islington, London, Greater London, N1 4PJ.
It looked very dodgy so looking for any info on the property I found this web site and I had confirmation of my doubts. THANKS A LOT.

Here is copied the e.mail I received and my replay:

Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2011 22:52:35 +0100
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Reply to your ad: COUPLE WITH DOG LOOKING FOR GARDEN FLAT ANYWHERE IN LONDON.URGENT!

Hi,

Have you found a place yet. Let me know please, i have a 1 bedroom flat that goes for £700 per month including all bills and well furnished with garden.
It is located in 76, Mildmay Grove South, Islington, London, Greater London, N1 4PJ, there is a High speed wireless internet connection, TV, Sky, Heater, En-suite bath, Central Heating System, Washing/Dryer machine, Car parking space and Garden.
I have attached photos of the flat so you can have an idea of what you would be renting.

So do let me know if you are ready to rent the place and also get back to me with details about yourself.

My replay:
Hi Angelika,

The flat looks very nice.
While looking for a place recently I had few people trying to get money off of us before even see the flat so sorry if I am a bit sceptical at the moment. It seams very cheap for what it is. Could we arrange a viewing on monday or tuesday? Have you got a contact number?

Thanks

Regards



From: [email protected]

Hi ,

Good to read from you again. Just to emphasis on some facts. I do not collect money before viewing. Read the mail very well and if you do not understand simply ask.

A lil about me : Am a 35years old fashion designer, very friendly.
I live in Birmingham. Reasons why we want to rent this place out is so that there will be a permanent occupant that will take care of the flat furniture's and keep the surroundings clean in my absence. We just need life in the flat.

About the flat : The flat was once a family flat till my old parents acquired a new property in Spain and moved, so i have been left in charge of this flat and nobody occupies the flat at the moment.

Concerning viewing: I can only travel from Birmingham to attend to serious tenants that are ready to move in and can prove that they can pay for the first months rent and one months deposit, i don't do general viewing. I need to know that you are serious and have the money to pay before i can come down to London.

I have a tight working schedule caused by my upcoming fashion show week, which preparations are on for at the moment with my coordinators from New York. You can search the map for that area and what you see in the pictures are what the interior of the flat looks like.

If you feel comfortable with that let me know, if not don't bother to reply so that we won't waste each others time.

Thanks and warm regards,

Angelika


What do you think???
..now..maybe just I should get this person to give me as much details is possible about herself (or himself??) and get her to meet me??..I will bring my boyfriend and the dog (which is a rottwailer cross doberman) and see if she wants to play with people again!!!

Why Valentina? Are you happy to go to Nigeria with dog?
[email protected] is an email address created on the 9th September 2011. It was probably made just to scam you. I think it unlikely that the scammer will use it again, but all things are possible.

Todays email address for this property is: [email protected]

Gumtree is scam central these days *sigh* which is a shame as I too am looking for pet friendly flatshares..

Hi
We were about to be scammed by this same person.
Thankyou so much for posting this.
They used the same address
They used a different name but the same spiel
If something seems too good to be true then it probably is!
People are sh*t!



I would get a copy of the contract from my solicitor tomorrow and email you a copy as thats not a problem because its a standard contract. Yes my full name is Marisa Lavelle and i am soryr i can only provide you with a copy of my ID or passport when we meet for viewing in London before you pay me okay.

Subsequent monthly rent payments in future would be done via bank transfer. So i will be expecting your email with the scanned copy of the transfer receipt.
I am interested to know how this person expected to get the money of us????? as they asked us to Western Union transfer money to ourselves to prove we had the money and didn't want us to pay it to them until we got there???
Without the reference number and our passport I am not sure how they expected to get the money?


>>
>>
>>
>>Since you are ready to view,i will plan my time here and make sure am there before you arrive.
>>
>>
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>>The only thing is that i need double assurance, because i want to avoid traveling from Birmingham to london in vain, i can afford my fare, but i can't afford to waste my time.
>>
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>>My Lawyer will get a contract ready for you to sign if you like to take the room after viewing and the keys will be handed over to you immediately after contract has been signed.
>>
>>
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>>Also, receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you'l have to sign the lease agreement form.
>>
>>
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>>I was discussing with my Lawyer about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not just waste my time
>> to london without acheiving my the aim and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union Money Transfer.
>>
>>
>>
>>She said that Western Union Money Transfer 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 £800 (1 month rent and security deposit) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend.
>>
>>
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>>Your name (as sender) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend (as Receiver) in United Kingdom.
>>
>>
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>>2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union Money Transfer 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 national ID card or International passport)
>>
>>
>>
>>3) Then, we will meet for viewing.
>>
>>
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>>4) If you decide to take the room, we will go to any local Western Union Money Transfer office 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).
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>>5) Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.
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>>I am pretty sure that the transaction at Western Union Money Transfer office 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.
>>
>>
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>>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.
>>
>>
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>>I will only rely on your honesty that you have made the transaction so that i can reserve the flat for you.
>>
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>>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.
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>>NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH TO PAY ONCE YOU HAVE VIEWED.
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>>My contact number is 07572313367 i do have network problems with my phone at the moment but can receive text messages and then i can call you back at my spare time.
>>
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>>I am sorry for the lengthy mail, i only want to explain myself better.
>>
>>
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>>Warm regards and have
>> a nice day.
>>
>>
>>
>>Marisa
>>
>>
>>
>>07572313367

>Hi ,
>>
>>
>>Good to read from you again.
>>
>>
>>- Yes the rent is 400pounds per month for both of you to rent one double room with ensuite.
>>
>>- Yes i do have people interested in the other room but i do intend to rent the rooms one after the other so that your opinion does count on who rents it.
>>
>>- Yes all bills are included in the rent.
>>
>>
>>
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>>A lil about me : Am a 25years old fashion designer, very friendly and adventurous, I only Drink occasionally but don't smoke, I am quiet, easy going, fun to be with and open minded.I like to keep the flat clean and tidy and would require the same too from any tenant.I am a christian by religion,my hobbies are Hiking, singing, watching
>> soccer and going to the cinema's.
>>
>>
>>About the flat : The flat was once a family flat till my old parents acquired a new property in Spain and moved, so i have been left in charge of this flat. It is a 3 bedroom flat like i already told you, and nobody occupies the flat at the moment.
>>
>>
>>I live in Birmingham and only come around once in a while so as to keep the flat and surroundings clean. Reasons why we want to rent this place out is so that there will be an occupant in the flat. We just need life in the flat.
>>
>>
>>At the moment we are looking to rent out just 2 of the rooms while the 3rd will be locked permanently, for my use whenever i come around.
>>
>>
>>Concerning viewing: I can only travel from Birmingham to attend to serious tenants that are ready to move in and can prove that they can pay for the first months rent and one months deposit, i don't do general viewing. I need to know that you are serious
>> and have the money to pay before i can come down to London.
>>
>>
>>I have a tight working schedule caused by my upcoming fashion show week, which preparations are on for at the moment with my co-ordinators from New York. You can search the map for that area and what you see in the pictures are what the interior of the flat looks like.
>>
>>
>>If you feel comfortable with that let me know, if not don't bother to reply so that we won't waste each others time.
>>
>>
>>Thanks and warm regards,
>>
>>
>>Marisa
>>
>>________________________________
>> You have received a reply to your ad: Australian couple looking for a double room in London zone 1/2
>>Hi,
>>Contact me directly on my private email to enable me send you photos - marisalavelle (at) yahoo co uk
>>I have a 3 bedroom house and looking to rent 2 of the double rooms out.
>>I can send you the pictures of the room, if you are still interested.
>>The rent cost £400 per month including all bills.
>>Thanks
>>Marisa

>>________________________________
>>Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2011 11:42:20 +0100
>>From: [email protected]
>>Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Australian couple looking for a double room in London zone 1/2
>>To:
>>
>>
>>Hi,
>>
>>
>>
>>It is located in 76, Mildmay Grove South, Islington, London, Greater
>>London, N1 4PJ, there is a High speed wireless internet connection, TV, Sky,
>>Heater, En-suite bath, Central Heating System, Washing/Dryer machine, Car
>>parking space and Garden.
>>
>>
>>I have attached photos of the flat so you can have an idea of what you
>>would be renting.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>So do let me know if you are ready to rent the place and also get back to
>>me with details about yourself.
>>
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>
>>Marisa

Without the reference number and our passport I am not sure how they expected to get the money?

There are a few ways the scammer can get the money.

1)WU is set up to allow distribution of money in certain emergencies. Say, for example, that you were robbed in a foreign country or another city, and the robber stole all of your ID. The system is set up in such a way that with the right information, you could still get cash. Scammers exploit this system. With the receipt and the personal information you have given them, they may be able to collect the money this way.

2)It is possible to change the recipient's name on WU. The scammers, or an accomplice in the area, calls and changes the name to one of their aliases. Then they simply pick up the money.

3) Some scammers work with corrupt WU employees who will release the money to them and bypass the ID in exchange for a share of the profits.

4) On rare occasion, the scammer might create fake ID in your name (but it isn't as likely)