by Con Warner
Sun Jan 29, 2012 10:59 am
From: Paul Roberts <[email protected]>
To: Con Warner
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 11:11
Subject: Re: Anfrage von amy k bei WG-Gesucht.de
Hallo,
Die Wohnung ist für den sofortigen Umzug zur Verfügung in. Es ist schön, sauber, ruhig und elektrisch ist Versorgungsunternehmen, Kabel-TV, Wäsche in das Gerät, High-Speed-Internet. Haustiere sind erlaubt. Die Miete beträgt 1200 € und die Nebenkosten sind inklusive (Strom, Wasser und Kabel-TV). Ich will es vermieten, als ich nach London, UK haben mit meiner Arbeit verlagert worden für die nächsten 5 Jahre. Tut mir sehr leid für mein Deutsch. Ich würde mich freuen, wenn Sie in Englisch antworten konnte, wie es sein würde einfacher für mich, mit Ihnen zu kommunizieren.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Paul
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.
The only problem is that being in London already i won't be able to come there and show you the apartment. Too bad i didn't have time to look for a tenant while i was there. After searching a way to solve this i stumbled on a service that Airbnb.com offers. They can act as thirdparty between us to make sure we are safe in such transactions. I already payed for their service and handed over the keys to them here in London. Here is how their system works: Upon making a deposit in their account they will send you the keys and contract so you can inspect the apartment and decide if you keep it or not. If you like the apartment then you sign the contract and send it to them and they will redirect the deposit to me. If you decide not to keep the apartment then they will refund you in total and i will be looking for another tenant. This is the only way i've found that can protect me and the future tenant. In order to start the process i would need the name and address of the tenant(s) and also the address where they'll have to send the keys and contract. Once i supply them with the se details they will send you an invoice with instructions on where to make the deposit. They suggested that the deposit should be the first month rent plus a guarantee deposit that will cover the last month rent or will be refunded to the tenant at the end of the contract. Please let me know what you think.
Regards
From: Airbnb <[email protected]>
To: Con Warner
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 11:11
Subject: AirBnB Invoice #30073772231
AirBnB Invoice #30073772231
Transaction Details:
Transaction: # 30073772231
Status: Payment Pending
Apartment Address: Paul Roberts, Im Zollhafen Straße 19, apt 46, 50678 Koln , Germany
Owner : Paul Roberts , 24 Portman Square,W1H 7BG London, United Kingdom
Tenant: XXXXXXXXX
Rent: EUR 1200 per month
Deposit required: EUR 1200
Insurance: Offered
Shipping: Offered
*Please check the details for an accurate delivery in order to avoid delays.
Payment Instructions:
Payment must be submitted to the Airbnb Financing Center Agent in charge of this transaction. You can submit the payment by Money Gram service. The Airbnb Financing Center Agent will secure the payment until the tenant receives the keys and contract, inspects and accepts to move in the apartment. If the tenant will not rent the apartment, the agent will refund the payment immediately.
Deposit: EUR 1200.00
Shipping: EUR 0.00
Rent Tax: EUR 0.00
Total: EUR 1200.00
How to send the payment:
If you choose to send the payment using MoneyGram payment service use the following details:
Name: Alexander Grey
Address: 18 High St
City: London
Zip Code: NW104ST
Country: United Kingdom
You can find out how to make the payment here: Click Here
After the payment is sent please reply with the following information:
* Sender's Name and Address
* Total Amount Sent
* Reference Number (8 digits control number)
Important Notice:
Airbnb rental process security measures are constantly reviewed and modified given evolving circumstances globally.
As a protective measure for the parties involved in this transaction the funds will be secured into a non-interest bearing trust account until you will see that apartment.
A payment verification process usually takes up to 24 hours. After the payment is secured we will send the contract and keys of the apartment .
For security reasons, all the transactions, payments and personal information are considered confidential and will not be released under any circumstances. Our main and constant priority is the safety of our customers.
Thank you,
Airbnb Financing Center Customer Support
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