by Michelle
Wed May 02, 2012 11:46 am
*****
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.
From: mabel smith <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:54:56
To: Michelle Banks
Subject: RE: [HalloLondon.co.uk] Posting Enquiry
Thanks for the interest you have in my flat. My flat is still available for rent and you can rent my flat as long as you pay your rent at when due. Here are the necessary things you need to know about the rent and deposit.
Rent : £105.00 pw
Security Deposit: £500.00 (Returnable at the end of a month stay in my flat)
Utility bills inclusive ( water, gas, electricity, washing machine, drier, refrigerator, council tax, TV license, Wi-Fi with broadband internet and wireless Internet) Utility Cost :£ 0.00 pcm
However, my flat is fully furnished in and out. At this stage that you want to rent my flat, i need to ask some few question about you. Can you take care of my flat as it is? How many weeks or months would you intend to rent and pay for? Do you have references in London?
Kindly reply for further information and i would like to know where you are coming from to stay in my flat.
Regards
Mr/Mrs Smith
From: mabel smith ([email protected])
Sent: 02 May 2012 16:37:29
To: Michelle Banks
Thanks for the reply and the sincere interest you have in my flat. I have decided to rent out my flat for you as long as you'll take good care of my flat as how it is. However,it is unfortunate that my past bitter experience of inviting people to come and view or reserve my flat without any form of confirmation of their financial ability and not keeping up to time as at when scheduled, has brought about great loss to me. I have traveled all the way from Ireland to take some interested candidates round my flat because that's where i work with M. Gould (Scunthorpe) Ltd.
Some outside tenants do not have the money to pay the rent and yet they disturb the the landlord to arrange a viewing with their friend or relative who are in London, also some do not meet up with the appointments which has led to the dismissal of some landlords in office by there employees.
However, you will need to make a reservation deposit but before that, my lawyer will need some information from you to draft a contract which you will print and bring along with you on your arrival date to my flat.
Your full name:
Present address:
Confirmed move in date:
Kindly get back to me with these information so that i can tell you how to proceed with the reservation deposit.
Regards
Mr/Mrs Smith
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.
