Room for Rent and other rental scams
by AlmostVictim Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:22 pm
Rental Scam...in Melbourne.... and when I tried to find the place on realestate.com.au to view it again... it disappeared in one day! So the notice was only up for one day! Almost Victim.... here is what mine wrote... essentially the same as everyone else....

Hello,
Thanks for taking the time to look at my apartment.
My name is Christine Kunes, I'm 41 years old and I'm the owner of the apartment located at: 615/594 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Vic 3000.I lived in this beautiful apartment for over 2 years and loved every day of it, until last month when I received a promotion and needed to move to Parma, Italy.
The apartment is in the best conditions, it is newly furnished and equipped with all the dependencies, central air and heat, the apartment come with two parking spots,a storage unit where you can deposit my furniture (if you don't like it and you want to use your own furniture),there is also a linen closet, washer and drier.The rent of the apartment is $190 p/w including all utilities(water,electricity, Internet,cable, parking,air conditioning, garbage).Also the apartment is near the public transportation and other facilities.There are no problems if you have pets, as long as you clean up after them.
My contract here, in Italy, expires in October 2016, so I can rent you the apartment for max. 4 years and minimum 3 months.
Because I had to move to Italy so soon, I didn't had the time to find a trustworthy agent,so I had to take the apartment keys with me. I had a really bad experience with the renting agents from the area, with my previous home. I can't come to show you the apartment and I don't have any friends in the area to send the keys. I found an alternate solution in order to close the transaction safe for the both of us, it is an international delivery solution called Vision Express (I will arrange for a 4 days delivery),they will provide assistance in handling the payment and delivery of the Keys and Lease Agreement.With this procedure you will be able to check the apartment before I receive the payment.
I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it, and I hope that you can send me some personal information about yourself.
If you are interested in renting my apartment please reply back and i will send you all the details about how Vision Express works, step by step.
Looking forward to your reply,
Best wishes,

Christine
[email protected]
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by Bubbles Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:55 pm
Welcome to ScamWarners AlmostVictim and thank you for posting this scam. Most scammers use a script and often they buy the script or post from many different accounts, so getting the email accounts is helpful to warn others who might fall victim. This is what our site is here to do. :D

Bubbles, former Scamwarners moderator.

Rest in Peace 24 June 2015.

Gone, but never forgotten.
by Con Warner Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:09 am
The scammer followed up with this reply:

Hello again,
We can start the lease anytime in December, but i will need to know your decision now.
Thank you for your understanding.
It's $245 per week for the apartment, the rent included all utilities,Gas/Electricity/Dishwasher/Telephone/Cable/Internet/Car Park.
You should pay first 1 month rent + BOND (980) so the total amount will be $1960.
In the following lines I will try to explain the procedure.You will have to send me your details (your full name and address) so I can fill out the lease agreement and start the transaction.
I will pay for a 4 days delivery so you will receive the Keys and the contract signed by me right away.
I will send you the signed lease agreement and the apartment keys through Vision Express.They will send you a notification that they have received the keys and the lease. Next you will have to send the 1st month payment and the bond to the Vision Express agent through bank wire transfer.You will have to send the deposit information(a photocopy of the transfer receipt) to Vision Express.
You will receive the keys and the lease from Vision Express.You will checkout the apartment and if you like it you release the payment to me.If you don't like it you return the keys and the unsigned lease to the Vision Express agent and he will refund the cash you deposited.
I think that this way we are both safe.I will pay for all the Vision Express expenses and you will pay for all the bank wire transfer charges.I am hoping that this is ok with you and we can close the deal.
Best regards,
Christine

Email: [email protected]

Latest updates regarding Internet Fraud: http://www.antifraudnews.com
by began steele Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:06 am
That's a bit odd! Vision Express is a British company doing this...........
Do I need glasses or did I get this all wrong ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_Express

We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. ~~ George Orwell.
by Bubbles Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:18 pm
No, Vision Express is not the scammer. The scammer is saying that they will use Vision Express to send the keys to the victim.

Thank you for asking for that clarification!
Scammer [email protected] wrote:I found an alternate solution in order to close the transaction safe for the both of us, it is an international delivery solution called Vision Express (I will arrange for a 4 days delivery),they will provide assistance in handling the payment and delivery of the Keys and Lease Agreement.


Obviously this is not the function of a delivery company.

Bubbles, former Scamwarners moderator.

Rest in Peace 24 June 2015.

Gone, but never forgotten.
by began steele Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:04 pm
Nor of a legit company specialising in selling spectacles.

We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. ~~ George Orwell.
by tipey1 Sun Nov 13, 2011 8:08 pm
Scam is also active in Brisbane.

"Thanks for taking the time to look at my apartment.

My name is Kelly Gail, I'm 41 years old and I'm the owner of the apartment located at: 2502/570 Queen Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000.I lived in this beautiful apartment for over 2 years and loved every day of it, until last month when I received a promotion and needed to move to Parma, Italy.

The apartment is in the best conditions, it is newly furnished and equipped with all the dependencies, central air and heat, the apartment come with two parking spots,a storage unit where you can deposit my furniture (if you don't like it and you want to use your own furniture),there is also a linen closet, washer and drier.The rent of the apartment is $250 p/w including all utilities(water,electricity, Internet,cable, parking,air conditioning, garbage).Also the apartment is near the public transportation and other facilities.There are no problems if you have pets, as long as you clean up after them.

My contract here, in Italy, expires in October 2016, so I can rent you the apartment for max. 4 years and minimum 3 months.

Because I had to move to Italy so soon, I didn't had the time to find a trustworthy agent,so I had to take the apartment keys with me. I had a really bad experience with the renting agents from the area, with my previous home. I can't come to show you the apartment and I don't have any friends in the area to send the keys. I found an alternate solution in order to close the transaction safe for the both of us, it is an international delivery solution called Vision Express (I will arrange for a 4 days delivery),they will provide assistance in handling the payment and delivery of the Keys and Lease Agreement.With this procedure you will be able to check the apartment before I receive the payment.

I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it, and I hope that you can send me some personal information about yourself.

If you are interested in renting my apartment please reply back and i will send you all the details about how Vision Express works, step by step.

Looking forward to your reply,

Best wishes,

Kelly "
by Bubbles Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:03 am
Welcome to ScamWarners and thank you for telling they are active other places. Will you please post the email address you received this message from it is it not: [email protected]

Thank you.

Bubbles, former Scamwarners moderator.

Rest in Peace 24 June 2015.

Gone, but never forgotten.
by sarahheth05 Mon Nov 14, 2011 3:06 am
[email protected]

Hello Sarah ,

Thanks for taking the time to look at my apartment.

My name is Kelly Gail, I'm 41 years old and I'm the owner of the apartment located at: 63/69 Milligan Street, Perth, WA 6000.I lived in this beautiful apartment for over 2 years and loved every day of it, until last month when I received a promotion and needed to move to Parma, Italy.

The apartment is in the best conditions, it is newly furnished and equipped with all the dependencies, central air and heat, the apartment come with two parking spots,a storage unit where you can deposit my furniture (if you don't like it and you want to use your own furniture),there is also a linen closet, washer and drier.The rent of the apartment is $280 p/w including all utilities(water,electricity, Internet,cable, parking,air conditioning, garbage).Also the apartment is near the public transportation and other facilities.There are no problems if you have pets, as long as you clean up after them.

My contract here, in Italy, expires in October 2016, so I can rent you the apartment for max. 4 years and minimum 3 months.

Because I had to move to Italy so soon, I didn't had the time to find a trustworthy agent,so I had to take the apartment keys with me. I had a really bad experience with the renting agents from the area, with my previous home. I can't come to show you the apartment and I don't have any friends in the area to send the keys. I found an alternate solution in order to close the transaction safe for the both of us, it is an international delivery solution called Vision Express (I will arrange for a 4 days delivery),they will provide assistance in handling the payment and delivery of the Keys and Lease Agreement.With this procedure you will be able to check the apartment before I receive the payment.

I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it, and I hope that you can send me some personal information about yourself.

If you are interested in renting my apartment please reply back and i will send you all the details about how Vision Express works, step by step.

Looking forward to your reply,

Best wishes,

Kelly
by sarahheth05 Mon Nov 14, 2011 3:11 am
Has anyone actually fallen into this trap? What actually happens do you get shown a 'mock' apartment or what?
I originally responded to an add on realestate.com.au the email address was different to that that replied to me with this scam script, I beleive it was vio(somthing)@gmail.com, but i can't find it in my set box.
by began steele Mon Nov 14, 2011 3:14 am
Thanks sarahheth05. Of course it's the same scammer as above. I am sure you won't need instructions on how Vision Express works or what it does, but don't tell the scammer what it is. Just vanish and leave it. Any other mail texts and email addresses are always important and assists others in finding out about this scammer.
It will involve paying for the carriage of the NON EXISTENT keys to a fake courier, in this case Vision Express a legit firm the name of which scammer has stolen. It will be Western Union transfer AND THE MONEY WILL VANISH. There could be delivery problems needing a further payment to release the non existent package, and of course -rent up front as a gesture of your sincerity. Your money will vanish as will scammer. All WU transactions over internet are a scam so never do it

We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. ~~ George Orwell.
by inacir Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:19 pm
I got the same email too. An ad on realestate.com.au asking for emails to [email protected]. The ad disappearing the next day.
And I received:

"Hello (*my name*) ,

Thanks for taking the time to look at my apartment.

My name is Kelly Gail, I'm 41 years old and I'm the owner of the apartment located at: 63/69 Milligan Street, Perth, WA 6000.I lived in this beautiful apartment for over 2 years and loved every day of it, until last month when I received a promotion and needed to move to Parma, Italy.

The apartment is in the best conditions, it is newly furnished and equipped with all the dependencies, central air and heat, the apartment come with two parking spots,a storage unit where you can deposit my furniture (if you don't like it and you want to use your own furniture),there is also a linen closet, washer and drier.The rent of the apartment is $280 p/w including all utilities(water,electricity, Internet,cable, parking,air conditioning, garbage).Also the apartment is near the public transportation and other facilities.There are no problems if you have pets, as long as you clean up after them.

My contract here, in Italy, expires in October 2016, so I can rent you the apartment for max. 4 years and minimum 3 months.

Because I had to move to Italy so soon, I didn't had the time to find a trustworthy agent,so I had to take the apartment keys with me. I had a really bad experience with the renting agents from the area, with my previous home. I can't come to show you the apartment and I don't have any friends in the area to send the keys. I found an alternate solution in order to close the transaction safe for the both of us, it is an international delivery solution called Vision Express (I will arrange for a 4 days delivery),they will provide assistance in handling the payment and delivery of the Keys and Lease Agreement.With this procedure you will be able to check the apartment before I receive the payment.

I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it, and I hope that you can send me some personal information about yourself.

If you are interested in renting my apartment please reply back and i will send you all the details about how Vision Express works, step by step.

Looking forward to your reply,

Best wishes,

Kelly "


I answered, showing my interest and got the following follow-up email:

"Hello again,
It's $280 per week for the apartment, the rent included all utilities,Gas/Electricity/Dishwasher/Telephone/Cable/Internet/Car Park.
You should pay first 1 month rent + BOND (1120) so the total amount will be $2240.
In the following lines I will try to explain the procedure.You will have to send me your details (your full name and address) so I can fill out the lease agreement and start the transaction.
I will pay for a 4 days delivery so you will receive the Keys and the contract signed by me right away.
I will send you the signed lease agreement and the apartment keys through Vision Express.They will send you a notification that they have received the keys and the lease. Next you will have to send the 1st month payment and the bond to the Vision Express account through bank wire transfer.You will have to send the deposit information(a photocopy of the transfer receipt) to Vision Express.
You will receive the keys and the lease from Vision Express.You will checkout the apartment and if you like it you release the payment to me.If you don't like it you return the keys and the unsigned lease to the Vision Express agent and they will refund the cash you deposited.
I think that this way we are both safe.I will pay for all the Vision Express expenses and you will pay for all the bank wire transfer charges.I am hoping that this is ok with you and we can close the deal.
Best regards,
Kelly "


The emails from "Kelly" however did not arrive from the same email, I've noticed now, after seeing this. She emailed me from: [email protected]

I hope this can help others not fall in the trap, I'm so glad that I checked out the company, Vision Express, and found this forum post.
Last edited by Bubbles on Sat Nov 19, 2011 1:44 am, edited 1 time in total. Reason: Added quotes for clarity.
by phantome101 Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:01 pm
It is also happening in Perth, WA...good thing I decided to check this website out, would have been fooled otherwise!! :shock:

This is what the person sent initially:

Thanks for taking the time to look at my apartment.

My name is Kelly Gail, I'm 41 years old and I'm the owner of the apartment located at: 63/69 Milligan Street, Perth, WA 6000.I lived in this beautiful apartment for over 2 years and loved every day of it, until last month when I received a promotion and needed to move to Parma, Italy.

The apartment is in the best conditions, it is newly furnished and equipped with all the dependencies, central air and heat, the apartment come with two parking spots,a storage unit where you can deposit my furniture (if you don't like it and you want to use your own furniture),there is also a linen closet, washer and drier.The rent of the apartment is $280 p/w including all utilities(water,electricity, Internet,cable, parking,air conditioning, garbage).Also the apartment is near the public transportation and other facilities.There are no problems if you have pets, as long as you clean up after them.

My contract here, in Italy, expires in October 2016, so I can rent you the apartment for max. 4 years and minimum 3 months.

Because I had to move to Italy so soon, I didn't had the time to find a trustworthy agent,so I had to take the apartment keys with me. I had a really bad experience with the renting agents from the area, with my previous home. I can't come to show you the apartment and I don't have any friends in the area to send the keys. I found an alternate solution in order to close the transaction safe for the both of us, it is an international delivery solution called Vision Express (I will arrange for a 4 days delivery),they will provide assistance in handling the payment and delivery of the Keys and Lease Agreement.With this procedure you will be able to check the apartment before I receive the payment.

I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it, and I hope that you can send me some personal information about yourself.

If you are interested in renting my apartment please reply back and i will send you all the details about how Vision Express works, step by step.

Looking forward to your reply,

Best wishes,
Kelly



Followed by:

We can start the lease anytime, but i will need to know your decision now.
Thank you for your understanding.
It's $280 per week for the apartment, the rent included all utilities,Gas/Electricity/Dishwasher/Telephone/Cable/Internet/Car Park.
You should pay first 1 month rent + BOND (1120) so the total amount will be $2240.
In the following lines I will try to explain the procedure.You will have to send me your details (your full name and address) so I can fill out the lease agreement and start the transaction.
I will pay for a 4 days delivery so you will receive the Keys and the contract signed by me right away.
I will send you the signed lease agreement and the apartment keys through Vision Express.They will send you a notification that they have received the keys and the lease. Next you will have to send the 1st month payment and the bond to the Vision Express account through bank wire transfer.You will have to send the deposit information(a photocopy of the transfer receipt) to Vision Express.
You will receive the keys and the lease from Vision Express.You will checkout the apartment and if you like it you release the payment to me.If you don't like it you return the keys and the unsigned lease to the Vision Express agent and they will refund the cash you deposited.
I think that this way we are both safe.I will pay for all the Vision Express expenses and you will pay for all the bank wire transfer charges.I am hoping that this is ok with you and we can close the deal.
Best regards,
Kelly



The email add was [email protected] and there is no way for you to reply back....
Last edited by Bubbles on Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:50 am, edited 1 time in total. Reason: To correct coding so quotes show up.
by m@m Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:42 am
Hi, Thanks god that I found this. My friend found a very attractive (too good to be true) apartment for rent at real estate.com. Same thing happened, 2 days later the post was gone..

The exact same email was received by my friend and then this is their last email.

Hello again,
I have attached some photos.
It's $300 per week for the apartment, the rent included all utilities,Gas/Electricity/Dishwasher/Telephone/Cable/Internet/Car Park.
You should pay first 1 month rent + BOND (1200) so the total amount will be $2400.
In the following lines I will try to explain the procedure.You will have to send me your details (your full name and address) so I can fill out the lease agreement and start the transaction.
I will pay for a 4 days delivery so you will receive the Keys and the contract signed by me right away.
I will send you the signed lease agreement and the apartment keys through Vision Express.They will send you a notification that they have received the keys and the lease. Next you will have to send the 1st month payment and the bond to the Vision Express account through bank wire transfer.You will have to send the deposit information(a photocopy of the transfer receipt) to Vision Express.
You will receive the keys and the lease from Vision Express.You will checkout the apartment and if you like it you release the payment to me.If you don't like it you return the keys and the unsigned lease to the Vision Express agent and they will refund the cash you deposited.
I think that this way we are both safe.I will pay for all the Vision Express expenses and you will pay for all the bank wire transfer charges.I am hoping that this is ok with you and we can close the deal.
Best regards,
Kelly


The apartment looks TOO nice for only $300 pw at city.. Thank you for posting this scam.
Last edited by Bubbles on Sat Nov 19, 2011 1:46 am, edited 1 time in total. Reason: Added quotes for clarity.
by Bubbles Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:34 am
Welcome to ScamWarners m@m, it is great to here that what we have helped you. It is wonderful to know a scammer didn't get any money from you. :D

Bubbles, former Scamwarners moderator.

Rest in Peace 24 June 2015.

Gone, but never forgotten.

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