Rental Scammer - [email protected]

The advert asks you to reply to [email protected] but the response, from a different email address can be seen below...

Subject: Re: RE; Exklusive 2 -Zimmerwohnung – provisionsfrei – direkt vom Eigentümer
From: [email protected]

Hello,

My name is Wolfgang Heyn and I just got an e-mail regarding your interest in my apartment .
Why is the price so low? I have just divorced from my wife (after confessed that he had fallen in love with another man, I decided to divorce), and I had to move to London, United Kingdom. I don't want to sell the apartment because I have a 12 years old daughter who will com to study in Germany high school and college. So all that I want to do now is to rent the apartment to some nice and responsible persons, who will take good care of the apartment for the next years. I have won the apartment after the sharing of the of marital properties. I am the single owner, the apartment is fully paid and there is no legal problem. The apartment is unoccupied since I no longer live there.
I would like to know more details about yourself : How old are you, if you are married, if you have a pet, if you have a car, occupation etc.. I must say that I have nothing against the fact that you're a student and I love pets and they are welcome in the apartment. You should also know that I appreciate the sincerity.
In addition to the rest, here is some information about myself and about the apartment, so we knew a little more.
The apartment is exactly like in the pictures, fully furnished, fully equipped, so you won't need anything to move in (you can also bring your own things furniture if you have). It has been recently renovated.
The monthly rent is 300 euro (for the whole apartment) with utilities (water, electricity, internet, cable, one parking space) - INCLUDED. You can rent the apartment for an indefinite period, but for a minimum period of two months.The security deposit is also 300 Euro, and you get it back, when you decide to leave the apartment (you will have to give me at least 30 days notice).
About myself, I am 45 years old, single man, and as mentioned above I am living in London, United Kingdom. You can move into the apartment the same day you receive the keys. I'm already in London, but I already though at a solution so you can get the keys and visit the apartment to make an impression.I appreciate your interest in my apartment and I'm looking forward to our future collaboration and friendship.

Sincerely,


[email protected]

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. The website is a fake.

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.

Hello,

Thank you for your reply.
After analyzing all the applications i decided that you would be suitable to rent the apartment.
As I said, the total price which you'll have to pay for one month of rent will be €300 no additional costs.
The rent will be paid monthly, directly to my British bank account.
In order to view the flat and settle a deal, you will need the keys, and the contract .
Since I am unable to come to Germany personally, I've hired a major real estate agency from London, specialized in international rentals, to represent me.
They are called Easy Rents , and their website is: http://rents-easy.com/
This agency will handle the delivery of the keys, the inspection of the flat and also the payment .
Here's how it works :
1 - To start this transaction, I need your full name, address and telephone number. I will also need to know the rental period so I can put it in the contract.
2 - I will go to the Easy Rents office to drop off the keys and documents of the house, along with the contract
3 - Easy Rents will check the documents to make sure I am the actual owner of the flat, then, they will send you an invoice.
4 - At this point you'll have to pay two months rent 600 EURO + 300 euro security deposit total 900 euro as a security deposit to Easy Rents , according to the instructions from the invoice.
This will be a guarantee that they don't send an agent all the way to Germany for a joke. The deposit will be just a formality, and it will not commit you to renting the flat.
The money will remain in the custody of Easy Rents until you have checked the flat and confirmed that everything is ok.
5 - After you pay the deposit, and send them the details, Easy Rents will send an agent to Germany in the next 24-48 hours (Monday to Friday) to meet you and help you inspect the flat. .
6 - You can also decide which date and time will fit your schedule best for the inspection.
7 - If you will be satisfied with the flat, you will sign a copy of the contract and pay the first month of rent to the agent. (the following rents will be paid directly to my account)
However, if you are not pleased with the apartment for any reason, the Easy Rents agent will give you the money back on the spot, and I will get my keys and documents back.
I will pay for the services of the agency, so there will be no extra costs for you.
Also, in case you have another apartment right now, and you cannot move out immediately, we can make the deal as I explained it now, and consider it only an inspection and reservation. You will move in when you are ready and pay the first rent then.
If you want to begin, please give me the details which I requested above, so I can make the arrangements.
I am waiting for your quick response, because there are several others interested in the apartment, and I need to know if I can count on a deal with you.
Best greetings!

[email protected]