Rental Scammer - [email protected]

On 14 May 2012, at 20:55, gaz stev <[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Michelle


I saw you advert at starflats.co.uk, and I will like to let you know that I have 1bedroom to rent out in my flat in Aberdeen. The flat is 2bedroom but I will be using the remaining one whenever I come to Aberdeen because I am currently live in Manchester because of my new Job as I need someone to rent the flat so that he/she will take care of it for me.

Flat address: Urquhart Lane, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
Post Code: AB24 5LQ

Location: The flat is in a great location with a wealth of amenities on your door step including shopping malls, restaurants, nightclubs and cinemas there is always something to do nearby. There are excellent transportation links to University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University and across the city. Set in landscaped grounds

If you are interested you can email me for more details.

Looking forward to hearing from you.


Regards,
Gareth

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On 14 May 2012, at 21:58, gaz stev <[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Michelle


Thanks for your response to my email. Meanwhile, I don't have the pictures of the flat here with in Manchester but if we can arrange for viewing no problem and below are more details about the flat.

The Flat is en-suite room with comprise separate fully tiled bathroom with bath and power shower.

Its full furnished and equipped with followings :Air condition, standing mirror, CD-DVD-Video, Radio, TV, Washing Machine, Heating, iron and Ironing board, Electric Kettle, Toaster, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Microwave.

Bills inclusive: High speed Internet, Water, Council Tax, Electricity, Telephone, and Off road parking space.

Flat address: Urquhart Lane, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
Post Code: AB24 5LQ

Rent: £500 per month bills inclusive.
Security Deposit: £500 refundable after two weeks in the flat.

Minimum Contract required is 1Month(s).
Maximum Contract required is 2yr.

Location: The flat is in a great location with a wealth of amenities on your door step including shopping malls, restaurants, nightclubs and cinemas there is always something to do nearby. There are excellent transportation links to University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University and across the city. Set in landscaped grounds.

Kindly let me know if you are still interested so that we can proceed.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Gareth.

From: gaz stev <[email protected]>
Date: 15 May 2012 06:06:22 GMT+01:00
To: Michelle Banks
Subject: RE: Flat Rent

Morning Michelle


Thanks for your reply and for your interest. Well, there's no problem inviting you for the viewing as you know that I currently live in Manchester so I will need to take a day off from work in order to come down to arrange the viewing with you. But Its unfortunate that my bitter past experience of inviting people to 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, is either they cannot afford the rent or the security deposit required but want me to come down with the aim of renegotiating.


Because of this I have to consulted my lawyer and we both have resolved that any potential tenants should be able to prove in the following way in order to determine who is financially buoyant and that he or she can stick to appointment when scheduled and able to pay his/her rent as at when due. But here is the procedure to follow below before we can commence on the viewing.


PROCEDURE:

1) You will make the transfer of one month rent plus security deposit(1000pounds) at any nearby MoneyGram outlet close to you by using your friends name or someone that is close to you as the sender of the money while your own name will be the receiver of the money.

2) Scan & Send a copy of the MoneyGram transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction or mail me the transaction details. (The money is safe as it is only you that can withdraw since you will need a I.D card or International passport) and once I confirm from MoneyGram that the money is available to be pick up by the receiver (i.e You), then I will buy my train ticket to Aberdeen Immediately and email it to you so that you can know the time I shall be arriving in Aberdeen for you.

3) I will volunteer my self to come and pick you at the tube station, take you to the flat for the viewing and after the viewing;

4) If you decide to take the flat, we will go to any local MoneyGram outlet close to my flat you will collect the money from MoneyGram and pay me. (You don't need to come with cash to view anymore, after viewing we will go together and you will collect your money and pay me in person.

5) I will handle the flat keys with all its papers to you and move-in immediately.

Below is the information you will use to make the transfer at MoneyGram outlet like I said earlier.


Sender's name: Someone close to you or friend name.

Receiver's name: Your own name

Sender's address: That person address

Receiver's address: United Kingdom

Phone number: Your phone number

Amount to transfer: 1000pounds


I do not want you to have the feeling that I am asking for money BEFORE you see what you are renting because I know that payment is meant to be done AFTER you have seen the flat and okay with it that is why I said you should make the transfer to yourself so that you will be only one to receive the money and pay me in person after the viewing. If you are ready, you can go ahead and make the transfer and let me know immediately you do the transfer so that I can know how to squeeze out time to come and meet you. You will need to scan the copy of the transfer receipt and email it to me to confirm in order to know you have made the transfer with the best time you want us to meet for the viewing and to let you know that I will return back to you the full transfer charges whether you decide to rent my flat or not when we meet.


Kindly let me know if you are ok with this arrangement so that we can proceed.

Have a great day ahead....

Regards,
Gareth.

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.