by pobodoq
Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:08 pm
Desperately looking for an apartment in Amsterdam, I almost fell for this one, esp. being on the road for the holidays.
I got back to him asking to meet in Amsterdam on my arrival day, and got the following answer:
I checked the website (which is now down since I reported it to the hosting company this morning) and it seemed legit, especially due to the fact that I spent about 2 minutes checking it being that I had a suitcase to pack.
I went on and suggested either that he sends the key to my work address or my home address, expecting to pay for the parcel on pickup. Then I got the following:
Even though I should have smelled it by now, I went forth and sent him the requested info. A couple of hours later, I got this e-mail from "Global Trans":
About half an hour later, I got this mail from "John":
Luckily, my dad couldn't process the payment in my name; and that gave me the time to ask a cousin to look this guy up for me (since I've been on the road with no proper computer access and doing everything from the phone). He immediately saw him through, so we halted operations.
Today, I came back from the holidays, and looked this guy up. His website lacked any proper contact, except for an e-mail contact to a parked domain (consultant.com). Even so, he went to a proper length to add my tracking number to his database, so when I looked it up it gave my address and all the other info (which is why I stripped the tracking number, just in case the website gets back up).
Doing a whois on his domain, I found out that he used another registration info for it:
When I Googled for that e-mail, I found an apartment rental offer in Brazil.
So far, I have reported him to his hosting company for abuse, and I will go forth with reporting him to Google and Yahoo, even though I don't expect much there.
Return-Path: <[email protected]>
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Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:16:03 -0800 (PST)
From: John Darden <[email protected]>
Reply-To: John Darden <[email protected]>
Subject: http://www.huurwoningen.nl
Hallo,
Van de site toe te voegen, kon je zien, dat het appartement gelegen in: Herengracht 94, 1015, Amsterdam. Het is gelegen op de tweede verdieping. Het heeft een slaapkamer, een badkamer, een keuken. Ik ben op zoek naar iemand om te leven in, zo snel mogelijk, ik ben een ingenieur in computersystemen. En een bedrijf heeft ingehuurd me onlangs in Italië. Ik ben een burgerlijk ingenieur, dus mijn accommodatie periode in Italië zal ongeveer 2 jaar. De huurperiode is van 2 maanden tot 4 jaar. Als gevolg van dit wil ik, huur voor deze periode, tegen deze prijs en ook de perfecte persoon voor mijn appartement te vinden. Ik ben de eigenaar van het appartement en het is als in de foto's. Het appartement is ingericht, maar ik heb de mogelijkheid van het verzenden van al mijn meubels in opslag als u wilt uw eigen te brengen (geen extra kosten). De huur voor 1 maand is 750 Euro, en de borg is het ook 750 euro. Het enige probleem is dat ik de enige persoon die heeft de sleutels, maar ik hoop dat we een oplossing vinden.
Dank u voor uw interesse en ik zal kijken van u te horen binnenkort.
I got back to him asking to meet in Amsterdam on my arrival day, and got the following answer:
Hello again how i told you in my previous email I'm in Firenze already.The apartment is available right away. Like I have inform you before, the price you shall pay is 750, with no extra taxes to pay. In order of that I have found a way for us to complete the deal safely and fast, and in this way you will receive the Keys in less than 2 days, if you move fast as well. The solution is provided by a company called Global Trans which will handle both payment and delivery of the Keys. I have found a procedure that will allow you to pay for the rent of the apartment only after you will receive the keys of it and through this way you will see it and decide if you will stay in the apartment or not before I receive my payment. Please click on the link bellow to the Worldwide Express website to see how we can complete the deal safely and fast directly from the website of the company where the procedure is explained: http://global-trans-ltd.it.tc/ (How does it Work).
Let me know if you are interested please because I really need to take care of this matter.
Thanks
I checked the website (which is now down since I reported it to the hosting company this morning) and it seemed legit, especially due to the fact that I spent about 2 minutes checking it being that I had a suitcase to pack.
I went on and suggested either that he sends the key to my work address or my home address, expecting to pay for the parcel on pickup. Then I got the following:
Hello,
I want to inform you that Global Trans will hold the money until you will confirm to them that you like the apartment and keep the keys. If you don't like it, you only have to return the keys to them after they will refund the money to you and they will deliver the keys back to me on my expense.I will need to inform you the steps about how this service works and how we can make it happen. You will only have to deposit to Global Trans Service the deposit of 750 Euro - so they can proceed with the shipping, and you can receive the keys and the contract. Like I said, I will pay for a 2 days delivery so you will receive the Keys and the contract signed by me right away. I will explain to you step by step how this will work:
1 - To start this transaction i will need to know your full shipping information, full name, full shipping address to proceed with this deal .
2 - I go to te Global Trans Office and leave the Keys and the contract in your name as the intended receiver.
3 - They will check the envelope to see if everything is OK with it and also the legal papers that will come along with the Keys.
4 - They will send you a delivery notification to let you know they have the Keys and the papers in their custody, in which you will be told that they have the Keys and that they checked it.
Here Is The Application Form Bellow:
Personal Information:
Name of Tenant(s):
Other Names Tenant has used:
Current Home Address:
City:
Zip-Code:
Phone Number:
Date of Birth/Age:
Occupation:
PET(S):
Duration of stay:
Move-In-Date:
Even though I should have smelled it by now, I went forth and sent him the requested info. A couple of hours later, I got this e-mail from "Global Trans":
Return-Path: <[email protected]>
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Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:06:17 +0200
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Message-ID: <CAHbY2yzr0ovY-AgU+xQOYR3BPom0YuOYcxUyd=EJhh2DpiTw+g@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: Global Trans Ltd - Transaction Started for package #2SF42815D9! -
From: Global Trans <[email protected]>
Dear *xxx*,
We are glad to announce you that you have a package in custody at Global
Trans. Please visit http://global-trans-ltd.it.tc for details on your
package. Your tracking(account) number is: *xxx*. You will use it to
track your package online.
*TRANSACTION DETAILS:*
*Description of item:* Apartment Keys and rental contract verified signed by the Sender
*Price:* 750 Euro
*Inspection Period:* 2 days
*Payment type:* Western Union Wire Transfer
*The shipping taxes has been paid by the seller.
*SHIPPING DETAILS:*
*Service:* Global Worldwide Express
*Package Content:* Apartment Keys and rental contract verified signed by the Sender
*Package weight:* 0.24 kg
*Declared Value:* 750 Euro
*Additional Services:* Third Party Service
*Status of Inspection:* Good
*Name and address of shipper:*
Sender Name: John Darden
Address: Via del Pallone, 4
City: Firenze
Zip Code: 50131
Country: Italy
*Name and address of receiver:*
xxx
*
What is the next step?
*Make the payment to our authorized agent.
*How do we use your deposit?*
The money deposited with us will be only used as a warranty.
Please understand that the funds will *NOT* be passed to the seller until
the package is delivered, signed for and accepted by the receiver - the
maximum testing period you can select is 2 days. Only then, and after your
confirmation we will be allowed to forward the funds to the seller. We use
Western Union for this deposit. In order for you to send the money (750 Eur=
o)
to Global Trans agent using Western Union (Wire Transfer) you only need to
go to a Western Union agency and fill out the form that the operator will
provide you there. *We accept ONLINE payments*. Follow this steps:
1.You must send a deposit of 750 Euro to our agent:
*First Name: Jeri*
*Last Name: Daion
Address: Via Massacio, 19
City: Firenze*
*Postal Code: 50122*
*Country:* *Italy*
Pay for the transfer with cash at a local Western Union Agent. However,
Western Union Money Transfer is designed mainly for sending cash to friends
and family in need, so telling them you are sending the money to an
Internet seller will prevent your money transfer to go through and you will
be unable to complete this transaction.
2. You must provide payment details.
Once the payment was sent, provide us *([email protected]=
*
*)* the following information:
*a. 10 digit MTCN (Western Union Money Transfer Control Number);
b. Exact sender's name;
c. Exact receiver's name;
e. Amount sent.*
Upon receiving these details we will verify them with Western Union and if
confirmed we will start the shipping procedure. You will be able to get
up-to-the-hour info on the exact location of your package while in transit.
3. The Package is shipped. Global Trans will verify that you receive the
package. You have 2 working days to inspect the Apartment and after
authorize Global Trans to send the payment details to the seller.
4. Seller receives payment.
Thank you for using,
http://global-trans-ltd.it.tc
Copyright 2010-2015 Global Trans | Terms &
Conditions<http://global-trans-ltd.it.tc/>
| Privacy Policy <http://global-trans-ltd.it.tc/> |
About half an hour later, I got this mail from "John":
hi,
i was yesterday to the company and start the delivery. This is your tracking number *xxx*.
Please let me know if the company contacted you already. All you have to do is to follow their steps.
Your father can make the deposit, is not a problem. You can make until 1 january, or after, on 2 or 3, or after you came back on 4th january. But i hope you can do it asap. Please let me know
thanks and happy new year
Luckily, my dad couldn't process the payment in my name; and that gave me the time to ask a cousin to look this guy up for me (since I've been on the road with no proper computer access and doing everything from the phone). He immediately saw him through, so we halted operations.
Today, I came back from the holidays, and looked this guy up. His website lacked any proper contact, except for an e-mail contact to a parked domain (consultant.com). Even so, he went to a proper length to add my tracking number to his database, so when I looked it up it gave my address and all the other info (which is why I stripped the tracking number, just in case the website gets back up).
Doing a whois on his domain, I found out that he used another registration info for it:
When I Googled for that e-mail, I found an apartment rental offer in Brazil.
So far, I have reported him to his hosting company for abuse, and I will go forth with reporting him to Google and Yahoo, even though I don't expect much there.