by theMagster
Wed May 02, 2012 4:43 am
So I found this flat that seemed almost too good to be true (yes, I know, Its always that way) however, I decided to send an e-mail to check if this was indeed real or a scam. The flat offered is a 1 bedroom/studio flat in Islington, London for £ 600 all bills included (yes I know...to good...) Following is the e-mails I've received up to this morning when I was really sure that this was a scam.
And for those of you who are to busy, or lazy, to read the entire thing, here's a summary:
Basically, this man named 'Andrew Consolin" claims to be working in the record industry and is a very busy man, however viewing the flat is no problem, and he is very eager to "get to know" me. He keeps asking me over and over again if I am really interested in the flat and proceeds by telling me about his last tenant and how he still owed money etc. etc. etc. Then he asks if I would be, upon viewing the flat, willing to pay to "hold the flat" before moving in, now at this point I am starting to wonder, but I continue to answer him to see how far he is willing to take it. I say that I don't understand what that payment would entail and ask him to elaborate, this is when I receive the following e-mail:
-------
I really appreciate your response but i do not want to stand on peoples promise of paying me cash or cheque when we meet again because i have met with time wasters who will only want to view and do not keep to there end of deal as regards payment if they are satisfied but will only want to look at all the beautiful flats around London. I am not ready to wait till a months time before any payment.
I was discussing with my colleague about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not be disappointed this time around and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union.I have never used Western Union before but a bit familiar with it. She explained that it is a very fast way of sending and receiving money as she has used it a couple of times for renting out her flat. She said that western union can actually hold the money as an evidence and surety that her tenant will pay her at least for the first month and deposit. that you should go to any western union outlet close to you, to send one month rent of 600 +refundable deposit 600 pounds in your name to your friend's name in your present address or you tell your friend to send the money to you..
I WILL EXPLAIN TO YOU:
PROCEDURE...
1) Transfer the money, a month rent 600 + refundable deposit of 600 (Senders name = friend or partner's name)
to your name (Receiver) in London.
2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction for confirmation on the western union customer care line if the money is really available for any of you to pick up when i arrive in london.If you do not have access to a Scanner,you can aswell send me details to confirm on
(https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/order ... try=global)
3) When we meet,i will meet you and take you to the flat for proper viewing
4)If you decide to take it both of us will go to any local Western Union office close to my flat & you'll pick up your money to pay me.
5)Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.
In order for me to be on a good side,you can go ahead and make the transaction since you have the money ready,let me know immediately you do the transaction.
I am pretty sure that the transaction at WU office will require some charges,i will definitely refund the transaction charges back to you upon viewing whether you decide to rent or not.
But,i will only rely on your honesty that you have made the transaction before making my way down for proper viewing.
Please,understand that i am NOT asking you to pay me BEFORE you view the flat as payment is done AFTER viewing and Signing of contracts. I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this conditions,both of us can be sure we are not wasting our times.Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed.Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you.Looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.
Does that sound reasonable? other months rent will be paid directly into my bank account.
PS:I am sorry for the lengthy mail.I only want to explain myself better.
Waiting to read back from you.
----
As you can see, he acts like he just learned about this and thinks it's a great idea...and note that, though not perfect, his grammar an spelling is a hell of a lot better than many scammers out there... be careful!
And for those of you who are to busy, or lazy, to read the entire thing, here's a summary:
Basically, this man named 'Andrew Consolin" claims to be working in the record industry and is a very busy man, however viewing the flat is no problem, and he is very eager to "get to know" me. He keeps asking me over and over again if I am really interested in the flat and proceeds by telling me about his last tenant and how he still owed money etc. etc. etc. Then he asks if I would be, upon viewing the flat, willing to pay to "hold the flat" before moving in, now at this point I am starting to wonder, but I continue to answer him to see how far he is willing to take it. I say that I don't understand what that payment would entail and ask him to elaborate, this is when I receive the following e-mail:
-------
I really appreciate your response but i do not want to stand on peoples promise of paying me cash or cheque when we meet again because i have met with time wasters who will only want to view and do not keep to there end of deal as regards payment if they are satisfied but will only want to look at all the beautiful flats around London. I am not ready to wait till a months time before any payment.
I was discussing with my colleague about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not be disappointed this time around and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union.I have never used Western Union before but a bit familiar with it. She explained that it is a very fast way of sending and receiving money as she has used it a couple of times for renting out her flat. She said that western union can actually hold the money as an evidence and surety that her tenant will pay her at least for the first month and deposit. that you should go to any western union outlet close to you, to send one month rent of 600 +refundable deposit 600 pounds in your name to your friend's name in your present address or you tell your friend to send the money to you..
I WILL EXPLAIN TO YOU:
PROCEDURE...
1) Transfer the money, a month rent 600 + refundable deposit of 600 (Senders name = friend or partner's name)
to your name (Receiver) in London.
2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction for confirmation on the western union customer care line if the money is really available for any of you to pick up when i arrive in london.If you do not have access to a Scanner,you can aswell send me details to confirm on
(https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/order ... try=global)
3) When we meet,i will meet you and take you to the flat for proper viewing
4)If you decide to take it both of us will go to any local Western Union office close to my flat & you'll pick up your money to pay me.
5)Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.
In order for me to be on a good side,you can go ahead and make the transaction since you have the money ready,let me know immediately you do the transaction.
I am pretty sure that the transaction at WU office will require some charges,i will definitely refund the transaction charges back to you upon viewing whether you decide to rent or not.
But,i will only rely on your honesty that you have made the transaction before making my way down for proper viewing.
Please,understand that i am NOT asking you to pay me BEFORE you view the flat as payment is done AFTER viewing and Signing of contracts. I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this conditions,both of us can be sure we are not wasting our times.Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed.Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you.Looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.
Does that sound reasonable? other months rent will be paid directly into my bank account.
PS:I am sorry for the lengthy mail.I only want to explain myself better.
Waiting to read back from you.
----
As you can see, he acts like he just learned about this and thinks it's a great idea...and note that, though not perfect, his grammar an spelling is a hell of a lot better than many scammers out there... be careful!
