by Con Warner
Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:00 pm
From: <[email protected]>
Date: 2011.10.18. 11:11
Subject: Re: BAZAR.at - BAZAR Anfrage zu Ihrer Anzeige Nr. 3769136 Gemütliche 2-Zimmer Wohnung
To: Con Warner
Hello,
My name is Karoly Barath and I got an e-mail regarding your interest in my apartment located in Beatrixgasse 3A, 1030 Wien. I want to rent my apartment to some nice and responsible persons, so I would like to know more details about yourself: your age, if you are married, if you have a pet, if you have a car, your occupation, etc. The apartment is exactly like in the pictures, fully furnished, fully equipped, so you won't need anything to move in (you can also bring your own furniture, I have a private storage in the building). The apartment has 55m2 and is situated on the 2nd floor. The monthly rent is 650EUR, utilities included (water, electricity). You can rent the apartment for an indefinite period, but for a minimum period of three months.
About myself, I am 32 years old single man and I was born in Budapest, Hungary. Now I am working as a project manager in civil engineering for a company named Skanska. I bought this flat when I worked in Austria as part of a 5 year contract, thinking it would be a better investment than renting it. Also, I am the single owner of the apartment.
I'm renting my apartment, because my company has won an auction for a big project in Liverpool, United Kingdom so my accommodation period here will be very large (more than 5 years). I'm already in Liverpool, but I have though at a solution so you can get the keys and visit the apartment to make an impression. I appreciate your interest in my apartment and I'm looking forward to our future collaboration and friendship.
Sincerely,
Karoly
PS: Attached you will find the pictures of the apartment.
This person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union or MoneyGram to an escrow company with a promise that he will send the keys through a courier company.
Sounds safe. It's not!
These companies do not work this way.
At other times, he will ask for proof that you are able to pay the deposit and rent due to a string of time wasters.
This proof is in the form of a Western Union or MoneyGram payment to a lawyer,a friend or family member.
In either case, if payment is made and you give this person the details, they will collect the money.
You will not hear from them 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 Craigslist, Gumtree or similar listing sites. If you receive any requests from 'Landlords' asking for some kind of payment 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.
Thank you for your prompt response and for your kind email. If you are still interested I agree to rent my apartment to you. I promise you that you will love the place. You seem to be a nice person and I can assure you we will not have any problems.
Obviously you will have to see the apartment before discussing further details because you cannot rent an apartment that you haven't seen. I am willing to send you the keys so you can visit it and see it suits your needs. The delivery for the keys (apartment keys, alarm) and viewing permit (signed by me), will be made through an authorized courier and using a Moneybookers Escrow Account to make sure that we can trust each other. Using Moneybookers escrow account involves three parties: me as owner, you as a potential tenant and Moneybookers as a responsible third party authorized to proper conduct of the transaction. Please click on the link to the Moneybookers website where you can find the procedure explained: https://www.moneybookers.com/app/help.pl?s=escrow&l=EN
Here is the procedure explained:
The Escrow Account Moneybookers works the same way as the escrow account on which you place the deposit when you rent an apartment, except that instead of a bank, we use Moneybookers. Of course, nobody can touch that money until you have not returned the keys. The escrow deposit, the first month's rent + rental guarantee (650 + 650 = 1300EUR), must be filed by bank transfer to activate the escrow account. The delivery will be by a licensed company such as DHL, Federal Express or UPS and it will be sent by Moneybookers at your home. To initiate the process, I need the following information about you:
-Shipping Address (address where you want the package to be delivered) and name of recipient;
-Delivery Schedule (local time you'll be at home to receive the package and sign the receipt);
-Phone number;
Then Monkeybookers sends you the keys and the contract already filled with your details; You will have 14 days to inspect apartment since the arrival date; If you want to keep the apartment, they give me the money, and we go on from there; If you do not keep the apartment, you send the keys/contract back to Moneybookers and you get your money back.
This will be in writing in the moneybookers contract I will sign. The MoneyBookers fees will be paid by me when I will initiate the procedure, you will have to pay for the money transfer fees when you pay the deposit. If you agree to move forward I can send you a blank copy of the rental contract and a copy of my passport, driving license.
Thanks again for your time and look forward to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Karoly
