Rental scam

I was contacted today by this email: [email protected]

This person claims to be a Ms. Peron Micol but the information this person sent me is exactly what others are saying. This is what this initial email was:

How are you doing?

Via Ulisse Aldrovandi, Rome, 00197..situated near Central Railway Station, airports’ shuttle bus terminal only 20 minutes away from all major transports (Metro 2 and 3 – tramways and buses to in town) and 15 minutes walk from the historical centre of Rome.

The room is 450per month.All utilities included(Electricity, water,internet access, waste disposal and gas)and you are going to pay 450 for deposit.This will be refunded to you at the end of your stay in my apartment. I'm a female, I like reading, writing, fine arts, movies, sports, cooking and I don't mind to go for a pint now and then either. In my flat I like things rather clean without being fussy and I'm quite easy going. I like to socialize but need my privacy now and then.

Regards,
Peron.

Having posted an a on easy stanza because I'm looking for an apartment in Roma, I thought is was a legitimate reply. It didn't really correspond to what I was looking for so I told the person it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Then the person replied:

Hello,

My apartment is two bed rooms and you can take the two rooms if you want to because i will not be around for long time. It's a great pleasure to know that you are interested in my room.I'lllike to inform you that i have 2 furnished rooms and the rent is 450Euros per month for each room while the security deposit is 450 Euros and the rent includes all utilities bills, so you do not need to pay any extra bills when you move into the flat. I'm only giving out my rooms just to put an end to my emptiness in the flat and not because of the rent price or anything. So i guess that's the reason why my rooms are so cheap. I'm presently Malaysia due to the nature of my job; I believe you have seen the pictures, so I'll like you to choose the exact room you would like to occupy. But in the meantime I'll like you to send me the details below so that i can instruct my lawyer to prepare your lease agreement document and the room will be fully reserved for you and you can move in at anytime you want. I’ll also like to inform you that each room in the flat has private toilet and bathroom, so you do not need to share it with anybody and that the rent includes all utility bills and internet so you do not need to pay extra bills when you move into the flat.

Full Name:
Age:
Sex:
Occupation:
Moving Date:
Present Address:
Contact Number:
Number of months you intend to stay in the room:
Number of months you want to pay for upfront:

However you can still move in while am still away, because i deposite the Spare Keys of the apartment with the FEDEX Office in Rome. so if you really want to move in i will be wiling to send you the Reference Number (code number) that you will present to the FEDEX Officers so as to get the spare keys that i deposited with them or better still i will like you to send me your present address so that i can have it sent directly to you FEDEX 24hours Express Delivery Service and you will get the Keys and Lease Tenant Agreement Document within 24hours.I will be like you to get back to me as soon as possible so that you lease document can be prepared and you can proceed with making your payment of one month and the security deposit directly to me over here or to me. so that the room would be fully reserved for you till you are ready to move in. I'll be willing to send you a scanned copy of my ID, so as to prove to you that i truly own the apartment and that there's nothing at all to worry about. You are in safe hands.

Hope to read from you again soon.


Best Regards,
Peron.

Obviously, it sounded fishy and the apartment was too nice for the price. I've been searching for apartments in Roma but everything is so expensive and not even close to being as nice as the pictures this person sent me.

Hope this information helps!


Quotes added for clarity - CW

Welcome to ScamWarnars Sierra Sky7 and congratulations for recognizing the scam. The information will be helpful to someone to recognize the scam and help them not be tricked.