by Michelle
Tue Jan 03, 2012 1:12 pm
From: [email protected]
> To: Michelle Banks
> Subject: Re: [HalloLondon.co.uk] Posting Enquiry
> Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2012 21:20:50 +0200
>
> Hello,
>
> Thank you for your mail and the interest you have in my flat. Just to clear
> out any confusion, my name is Christina Nell Keay and Chris Gulledge is my
> brother (he helped me set up the rental ad and this is his e-mail address).
> The minimum let is for 2 months and the maximum let is for 10 years. The
> flat is available for renting right away, no one is living in the flat at
> the moment (this is not a flatshare with an unknown person to you). The
> price for the rent is 400+100 GBP/month for the whole flat (the 100 GBP are
> for all the bills and taxes - electricity, water, gas, internet, council
> tax) and you will pay for the first 2 months of rent in advance (1000 GBP).
> The flat is very clean and I want to leave the flat to a person who is a
> clean and responsible tenant. As you can see in the photos everything is new
> in the flat. I am working in Switzerland (Zurich) and I am here with my
> family. For me it is very hard to come in UK because of my working place,
> and I want to be sure that you are really interested about the flat.
> Regarding the meeting, I think we could fix a date when I can come in UK for
> the viewing and we can reach an agreement. The property has a fully
> furnished kitchen, clean and well tidy sitting rooms, laundry room, and
> fully furnished with all home utilities like: electric shower, lounge,
> vacuum cleaner, toaster, oven and microwave, dryer, iron, washing machine ,
> refrigerator , dishwasher, power shower, heater, cable ready, tv set and dvd
> player, internet connection, equipped kitchen and all utilities.
> I am waiting for your mail to know if you are satisfied with the details of
> my flat which I gave you, as well to know and arrange for the viewing of the
> flat and arrange for other necessary arrangements that are needed. I am
> waiting for your response.
>
> Christina Nell Keay
> Marktgasse 17
> 8001 Zurich
> Switzerland
The thief will tell you that you can rent his accommodation only if you can prove that you have genuine interest. He will ask you send money by wire transfer (normally Western Union) to yourself or a member of the family to show that you have sufficient finances and that you are not a "time waster".
Another variation of this scam is that you need to send (by Western Union) money in order that the keys and other documents can be couriered to you
He will ask you to send him the transfer details.
Make no mistake ! Western Union Transfers can be picked up virtually anywhere in the world and with the minimum of identification. They are almost impossible to trace once the money has been collected. You will never get to see the accommodation or your money 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 Gumtree or similar listing sites. If you receive any requests from 'Landlords' asking for some kind of payment by Western Union 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.
