Rental Scammer - [email protected]

Hi all,

I am looking for flat in London and I can see that 99% of all adds online are scam all with same scenario. After being interested in viewing the property they are sending you amazing pictures and rent is very cheep comparing other properties on the market and (!) inclusive all bills and instructions how to process further with renting process: all e-mails are similar (all about sending money via Western Union to you friend or family member and than send the remittance to them - than with this paper they can go to any Western Union in the world and pick up your money!):

Yes..i am renting my property to you for as long as you want it and here is my contact number 07024065990 or +447024065990 buti will like you to do a thing, I guess you will understand this. It's in the policy my Solicitor has told me and i wish to abide by it. I won't get any money from you now. So you will do a thing to make me believe you really need the Property.
You will go to the nearest WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER around
you, Send to someone you know or someone you know send to you the
sum of 1,300pounds at western union(700 Pounds for house rent and 600
pounds for security deposit ). The money is still within you. I am not
ready to get money from you as i have said. All I need to see is the
western union money transfer copy of receipt giving to you. Scan the
western union receipt and send it as an attachment to my email just
for me to view it and be sure you are ready to get the Property.
after viewing the Property, and if you really like it, You can go
together to the western union location agent or bank around You to
get the 1,300pounds back and we can reach an agreement on how you will
move into the Property.. I will pay back to you the charges you will
be using in sending the money at western union. If you dont
understand, Here is an examples of how to do it....

SENDERS NAME....................YOUR NAME
RECEIVER' NAME...................THE PERSON YOU SEND TO .
AMOUNT SENT.....................1,300 POUNDS.

and scan the copy of receipt to me in an email just for me to view it.
and then i can pick you up and show you the Property and you can pick
up your money after you have viewed the property

Here are few email addresses from which I received this kind of reply:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

It's repetitive but can't be stressed enough.

1. UK people have bank accounts and will never ever use Western Union to receive payments.

2. A 44 70 phone number is a number that appears to be located in the UK but is actually a re-direct that passes the call to anywhere else in the world. Only scammers use them.

If an apartment rental ad has either of those featues it's a scam. Yours has both, so it's 100% guaranteed.

Some smart scammers get to use UK based bank accounts, and may have a local number, so beause it doesn't have these features doesn't make it regular, so it's still worthwhile being cautious and careful, but it would be reckless to bother considering this obvious scam.

It's sad but I have to agree that the UK rental ads are becoming so thoroughly infested with scammers it's dangerous to look for bargains in personal ads. What you risk losing is greater than what you might save.

I am thinking if it estate agents doing that to make sure people will go to rent through them (as it will be safer than 'private' landlords from internet)and they will earn their agency cost lol honestly it becomes pointless for portals like gumtree, loot, etc to exist.

It's not estate agents behind these scams--in fact, some of these scams take it a step further and create fake agencies, which leaves people really at a loss as to who they can trust.

The variant you have encountered has typically been carried out by scammers from Western Africa--the 44-70 numbers are used to make it appear as if they are in UK. It's also why the scammers generally avoid dealing with specific questions about these rentals--most of them have never even been to UK, and have real knowledge or understanding of the area. This is why you see so many of these scams, with very few stories of arrests--the scammers are out of reach of UK law enforcement, and law enforcement in their own country is often corrupt, willing to look the other way for a bribe.

Gorsh... !! I am soooo glad I saw this. I was planning to move and searching a lot on Gumtree and I have got three emails just like that so far. I thought it was odd at first that viewing was not possible but they started sending more mails to make it more convincing so I decided to do a little research first which I am glad I did. Well, thank you all for this post and thanks a million for sharing.. =)

Welcome to ScamWarners margarita We are glad that you found us and this information. As you search of a flat, do me mindful of Gomer's information. I hope you find the perfect place.

yesterday i got one, and i even put the money on account, than come back found this one and quickly canceled transaction of money. i dont know why i yesterday trusted to make this wierd procedure? anywhy, he still is writing to me and trying to assure as his mail witch is googled as a flat scam is sm mistake, he has been contacted with police just and pleasing me to put money back. so, it fun to read how he is trying, but is it possible that smtnhg can be do in this case or leave it? i mean inform some institutions- i have his mobile and mail adress, do no... still working- stilll hoping on me.

It's a very serious problem little_mandarino.

As I make this post a scammer is loading up this page with scam ads

http://london.craigslist.co.uk/sub/

All 12 ads posted so far are scams, and he'll keep loading them up until he feels hungry and goes for food, though I believe that some internet cafes have food delivered in, and he'll start work again later today.

Scammers always offer the best and cheapest deals so that unless people know the risks, an innocent victim is almost certain to get scammed.

I know it is a serious problemo ):

so he is [email protected]
wrote me

Hello,

This is my contact number 07024098203 and Viewing my property is not a problem but you have to prove that you can afford the rent before you can view my property.I was discussing with my Solicitor about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not just waste my time to arrange a viewing for you and He advised that we can work out something via Western Union Money Transfer.He said that Western Union Money Transfer can actually hold the money as an evidence, He gave me an option on what we can do since you have the funds at hand which will be explained below:

PROCEDURE:
1) Transfer the the amount £300 (1 month rent ) to your friend in United Kingdom.
Your Name (as Sender) to your Friend (as Receiver) in United Kingdom .
2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction or mail me the transaction details. (The money is safe as it is only your Friend that can pick the money Up .after My solicitor have confirm that the money is with the western union,I will arrange a Viewing for you
3) Then, we will meet for viewing.

4) If you decide to take the property, we will go to any local Western Union office close to my property and pick up the money and pay me. (You don't need to come with cash to view, after viewing we will go together, your friend will pick the money Up and then you can pay the rent to me.
5) Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.

I am pretty sure that the transaction at Western Union office will require some charges, i will definitely refund the Western Union charges back to you upon viewing .
I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this condition, both of us can be sure we are not wasting our time.

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 and i am looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.

NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH TO PAY ONCE YOU HAVE VIEWED.
Bruce.



on the question about his e-mail address being googled as a scam he told me :

"For the email,I don't know how its get there but I have already inform the police about it and they working on it because I thought some one is trying to black mail me."

and little bit personalized.
"I have already told you that I have been let down by so many tenant and This is what i am also talking about because you are trying to fool me also because i told you that my solicitor will check the statues of the transaction on Monday and you go ahead by picking the money up which suppose not to be so,Viewing My Property is not a problem but I will have to confirm the proof first that you can be able to afford the rent and the security deposit before i can arrange a viewing for you and what you have to provide is very simple,I am just in need of a confirmation proof,And these is due to some previous predicament that i have gone through in the past,Trying to rent the property to some student,I have got to realize so many people are not really in need of a property at the moment,All they do is secure a place in advance,My last experience in trying to rent the property to a particular lady,Got me to predicate on these,She made me believe she was willing and ready to get the property,She even went to the extend of showing me her statement of account,Which made me took her for the viewing,But after taking her for the viewing,She saw the property and got to love it and never wanted to loose it,So she kept pleading i retain it for her because she wasn't financially composed at the moment,Which i did because i did pity her situation,But it all ended up disastrously.
So basically for me to be sure of you been willing and ready to get the property i will implore you to walk into any Western Union outlet and resend the total amount of 300 POUNDS to any of your friend or your partner via Western Union Or your partner should send it to you,All i need is for you to get back to me with a scan copy of the receipt issued to you after making the transaction so i can confirm it,And as soon as i can confirm these i will get back to you immediately,And then your partner can go and withdraw the money back for you,But i have to confirm it first,After this we can have a rendezvous to meet right immediately and view the property,I hope you understand.
Thanks."


I talked with cashier who made my wester union canceling, he tried to assure me as it is impossible to cheat in this way when u receiver is some close friend.

I talked with cashier who made my wester union canceling, he tried to assure me as it is impossible to cheat in this way when u receiver is some close friend.

Total nonsense, but it sounds reasonable if you have no knowledge of the Western Union system.
And note how his English deteriorates when he is writing emails not using scripted ones.

When a stranger mentions the words 'Western Union' that's enough to tell you he's a scammer. You'd only ever use Western Union to pay someone you know and trust. Scammers will make up all types of stories to get you to use the service, but that's only because they'll have a way to get their hands on your cash.

Scammers also always like to introduce imaginary solicitors in to the deal. Unless you're buying or leasing the property they are not necessary but scammers feel that you'll trust them more if they tell you something that their solicitor told them.

Unless it's a long term rental with a written contract, a solicitor serves no purpose, and the solicitor would be able to provide a bank account for you to pay the money in to, which would include the word 'solicitor' in the title.

well to notice mistakes in grammar is hard for me as Im still not enough good english.
we- foreign ones... we are really easy catch, expecially if we never used Western before, as me.
but aye, I tried to argue with this cashier- but unlucky, plus, in the end he asked me for date
ou, I was in panic this morning! where was my mind! I just really needed a flat and price was suitable for this area. at least morning was smarter than evening, I woke up and run to closest WU place.

but anywhy- mucho mucho mucho thanks scamwarners!!! (:

You, or anyone else, can always ask here little_mandarino.

If we stop scammers stealing money and help you to avoid losing money, then we're happy.

We are located all over the world and can give advice and guidance using our local knowledge and many of us have specialist knowledge in useful areas too.

Hi all

As these posts here are quite recent I'll paste my correspondance with the same scammer here as well. It's basically redundant but it also has an additional treat. We were looking for a property to rent in Glasgows westend and the scammer actually offers a property on Byres Road. So he must know that this is the bees knee here in the Westend. Anyway, he used the adress: [email protected] and was already reported on Gumtree before (for scamming). I wonder that they don't block him as it can't be in Gumtree's interest that scammers are obusing their services.

OK, here's the text:

1. email:
Its 2 Bed Room and a Living Room, Kitchen and Bathrooms Included.I am willing to rent out my Property.The cost of my Property is Security Deposit which would be refunded to you if nothing is damaged in my Property until you would be leaving which is 600 Pounds and the property Rent is 500 pounds/Month and all bills is included Like the Utilities bills,water Bills,electricity Bills council tax bills E.t.c.I have attached pictures of the Room and Living room for you.I hope you would get back to me asap so that we can finalize this.

Best Regard
Barry.

2. our response, knowing already that he's a scammer
Thank you very much for sending me the pictures as well as some information.
Your property looks very nice and the price is very attractive. I was wondering where the property is located as it is important to us to live not too far from Glasgow University (my husband works there).
To end our actual lease we need to tell our landlord 1calendar month in advance. So if your flat is available by the end of March we would need to tell our landlord tomorrow. When exactly will the flat be available and is a viewing possible, the best would be tomorrow? Thank you very much.
Best regards.

3. his response to that:
My Property is located at Byres Road Glasgow G12 8QZ,United Kingdom and My property will be available for you from March,This is my contact number 07024098203 and Viewing my property is not a problem but you have to prove that you can afford the rent before you can view my property.I was discussing with my Solicitor about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not just waste my time to arrange a viewing for you and He advised that we can work out something via Western Union Money Transfer.He said that Western Union Money Transfer can actually hold the money as an evidence, He gave me an option on what we can do since you have the funds at hand which will be explained below:

PROCEDURE:

1) Transfer the the amount £1,100 (1 month rent and security deposit) to your friend in United Kingdom.
Your Name (as Sender) to your Friend (as Receiver) in United Kingdom .

2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction or mail me the transaction details. (The money is safe as it is only your Friend that can pick the money Up .after My solicitor have confirm that the money is with the western union,I will arrange a Viewing for you

3) Then, we will meet for viewing.

4) If you decide to take the property, we will go to any local Western Union office close to my property and pick up the money and pay me. (You don't need to come with cash to view, after viewing we will go together, your friend will pick the money Up and then you can pay the rent to me.

5) Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.

I am pretty sure that the transaction at Western Union office will require some charges, i will definitely refund the Western Union charges back to you upon viewing .

I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this condition, both of us can be sure we are not wasting our time.

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 and i am looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.

NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH TO PAY ONCE YOU HAVE VIEWED.

Barry.

4. and my wife couldn't resist and replied:
I think the procedure you suggest is very unusual. We can give evidence to you that we have enough money with a reference from our bank without delays, that would be much easier. You could send us your solicitors contact details so my bank would send the required data to him.
Can you please give the adress details of the property? The postcode you gave me doesn't fit to any property on Byres Road the pictures you sent might fit, thanks.
When will the flat be available to move in?
Is it GCH or electric heating?
Are the windows double glazed?
Is there a lift in the house? a garage? what about storage room?
You must understand that we need to see the property before making a decision.
Thanks.

So if you are interested and he replies to that I'll post it later....

Thanks to you guys from Scamwarners, as many has said before, you are doing a great job. I am willing to donate for Africa, but not like that

I'm glad you managed to miss out on the scammers Chris007, and the situation is worse than you realise. Most major rental sites are overwhelmed with scams and it's become big business for scammers.

Any mention of Western Union is enough to make it a deal to walk away from, but the more smart gangs have access to UK bank accounts and I'm certain I've spotted a 'set up' scam to recruit more dupes to have their accounts used. They wouldn't go to this trouble if there weren't big money to be made.

Unless you can view the flat or use a reputable agent, ad pages are not worth the risk. Anything up to 90% of ads for London flats are scams and that's why they're spreading out to unexpected areas.