TNT global Express [email protected]

Hi so yes ... I am one of those that got caught by a rental scam and apart from feeling absolutley stupid Here are the details you all should know. My partner and I found an awesome property available on http://www.privateproperty.co.za (they have been very helpful since we brought the matter to their attention). the 'owner' 'Andrew Tirese' claims to be a british gentleman who bought a flat for his daughter to use during her studies, he told us he is renting the place out as is because his daughter has returned home and does not need it any more....(comes with complete story about dogs,wife,job etc...). He then says that because we dont know each other he would like to do the initial deposit and key exchange through TNT golbal express... this sounds good so he then sends us a formal looking invoice and detailed list of 'how it works' from 'his' TNT agent Joseph Welbek. Once the initial payment was made through western union as they requested .... you get an email from Joseph telling you that the policy due to high fraud occurances in your region has changed from one months rent to six months rent and the only way to get a refund is to pay the full amount and then request one...... see our new invoice and watch out for these email adresses: [email protected] and [email protected] as well as [email protected]

We reported the matter to our banks and the police but at this point are a little lost as how else to deal with this...so those with the know how please assist with any tips/help you can

thanks
Haldego

(copy and pasted our invoice follows)

TNT Global Air Express

Note: This email has been automatically generated by TNT®.

Dear 3333333, Congratulations, you have almost rented the apartment located in Cape Town, South Africa! The owner Andrew Tirese is A Verified Member on TNT, in good standing, Identity and/or Contact Information - Verified. Complete your TNT transaction in 7 easy steps: 1. The tenant and the owner of the apartment agree on the transaction terms and the renting price;

2. The owner contacts TNT with the transaction details;

3. TNT accepts the transaction and offers purchase protection to the tenant (if the transaction is declined, no further action is required from either the tenant or the owner);

4. The owner delivers the package with the keys and lease contract to TNT agents for the full evaluation of contract. The package will remain in the custody of TNT until the receiver (tenant) will send the payment to TNT directly at one of our TNT Financing Agent (in this case: Joseph Welbek) at his TNT verified e-mail: [email protected]

5. Once the payment is validated the tenant receives the tracking number of the package with the keys and lease contract.

6. The tenant receives the keys in 24-48 hours and has 48 hours to inspect the apartment. If the tenant does not like the apartment he has 48 hours (after the 48 hours inspection period is over) to e-mail the TNT Financing Agent (in this case: Joseph Welbek) and ask for a refund.

7. If the tenant asks for a refund, TNT has the responsibility to refund the entire sum in maximum 48 hours.

Note: The funds will not be released under any circumstances. TNT will hold the payment until the tenant will send us the confirmation that he has received, inspected and agrees to keep the apartment. When TNT will have that confirmation, TNT will transfer the funds to the owner.

Shipment information

Location: Johannesburg
Country: South Africa
Declared value: R 24,300.00 = GBP 1,641.00
Paid: R 16,200.00 = GBP 1,094.00
Remaining payment: R 8,100.00 = GBP 547.00
Shipping cost: R 00.00


Package Information: Apartment Keys and rental contract verified signed by the TNT Inspection Team. Owner of the apartment in: Cape Town, South Africa. All the papers are double checked. Insured Value Amount: R 24,300.00 = GBP 1,641.00 Address Information:
Ship To:

Ship from:

(my adress was here)

Andrew Tirese
165 Great Dover Street
Southwark
London SE1 4XA
United Kingdom
Next Step. Complete payment Pay with cash (R 8,100.00 = GBP 547.00) at any Western Union Office using the payment details of the TNT Financing Agent's: Joseph Welbek
32A Sussex Place, Hyde Park London W2 2TH United Kingdom
Send a copy of the payment receipt to the TNT Financing Agent`s e-mail ([email protected]) or simply send the TNT Financing Agent the following Western Union information: * 10 digit, MTCN number * Sender's full name and address * Receiver's full name * The total amount you've sent Safe TNT Tip Currently, the owner has a R 24,560.00 = GBP 1,680.00 deposit in an TNT managed purchase protection account. Transactions with this owner are covered by purchase protection against fraud and description errors. TNT repeatedly tries to encourage the other party to respond to a case, but we cannot fully guarantee participation, since the process is completely voluntary. If the respondent does not reply within one week from when the case was initially filed, it is unlikely that you will receive a response and we will close the case and refund you the entire amount insured by the Tenant Protection Policy, valid for your case. If we hear from the other party after the case closes, we will reopen the case and notify you. You are renting from a legit owner so if something goes wrong or you are not satisfied with the apartment you will receive a full refund in max 48 hours.

Important!

In order to benefit of the full refund policy you must complete the payment of R 24,300.00 = GBP 1,641.00 (Remaining payment: R 8,100.00 = GBP 547.00).
If the full payment info is not received in maximum one week TNT will consider this a fraud attempt and block the deposit (R 16,200.00 + R 8,100.00 received from Andrew Tirese) for further investigation.
After the payment of R 24,300.00 is completed you can ask for a full refund and get your funds back in maximum 48 hours.

TNT® Team

Thank you so much for posting this. I had a feeling something was up when I too got similar emails, thought I would do a check and your story popped in google. All I can say is thank you and I am sorry that you guys went through a horrible ordeal with these criminals.