by Michelle
Mon May 14, 2012 12:55 pm
From: [email protected]
To: Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Stylish studio in Denmark Hill, all bills included, internet, separate bathroom, open kitchen
Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 13:42:47 +0100
Hello,
The minimum let is for 1 month and the maximum let is for 10 years. The property is available for renting right away and no one is living there at the moment. The price for the rent is 600 pounds/month for the whole flat (the bills and taxes are included) and you will pay for the first month of rent in advance, plus the refundable deposit of 600 pounds.
The property is very clean and I want to leave it to a person who is a clean and responsible tenant. As you can see in the photos everything is new in the flat. I am working in Spain (Madrid) and I am here with my family. For me it is a bit hard to travel to London because of my working place and I want to be sure that you are really interested in my offer. Regarding the meeting, I think we could fix a date when I can come to UK for the viewing. The property has a fully furnished kitchen and it is fully furnished with all home utilities like: electric shower, vacuum cleaner, toaster, oven and microwave, dryer, iron, washing machine , refrigerator , dishwasher, heater, cable ready tv set and dvd player, internet connection, equipped kitchen and all utilities.
I am waiting for your mail to know if you are satisfied with the details which I gave you, as well to make the necessary arrangements for the viewing. I am waiting for your response.
Matthew Hearnshawn
Calle de Hortaleza
46 Madrid
Spain
From: [email protected]
To: Subject: Re: replied to your ad: Stylish studio in Denmark Hill, all bills included, internet, separate bathroom, open kitchen
Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 15:35:40 +0100
Hello,
I have attached a copy of the contract. It is not the final version and when we will meet we will discuss about possible corrections of the tenancy agreement. I have also attached some pictures of the flat, a map of the location, the floorplan and a copy of my lawyers passport. I work for Banco Santander Spain and because of my special situation (being abroad) I need to be sure that you are a genuine interested tenant. I am willing to have you in my flat as long as you pay your rent but it is unfortunate that my past bitter experience of inviting people to view my property without any form of confirmation of their financial ability has brought great loss to me. Some potential tenants do not have the money to pay their rent and yet they disturb the landlord to arrange a viewing. Also some people do not meet up with the appointments which has led to the dismissal of some landlords in their place of work by their employers and I can not afford to find myself in a similar position. Therefore, my lawyer and I have decided to carry out a simple test on financial ability before coming for the viewing. I am not asking you to send your bank statement and I definitely do not want to collect any money from you before the viewing.
This is what we can do:
You will make a money transfer to someone you know (it can be a family member) with name and address in UK using Western Union for 1 month rent and the deposit (that means 1200 pounds) and send me the scanned receipt. As soon as I receive the scanned receipt I will forward it to my lawyer to verify if it is truly genuine (note that my lawyer must confirm the transfer valid before the receiver picks up the money). After my lawyer verifies the authenticity of the transfer, I will book a flight for UK and I will meet with you. When we will meet I will bring all the documents and legal papers certifying my ownership of the flat and also the tenancy agreement which we will both sign after you will view the flat. You will pay me only after you will read and sign the contract.
So all you have to do is to find a Western Union office and wire 1200 pounds to a friend of yours and send me the scanned receipt. I am asking you this to be sure that I do not come in UK for nothing. I hope you can understand my situation.
Please understand that this money transfer by Western Union is not a payment for the flat, it will only prove to me that you are a serious and reliable person. I am waiting for your mail.
Matthew Hearnshawn
Calle de Hortaleza
46 Madrid
Spain
Fake, Lost or Stolen UK Passport Number 209682924
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.
