Rental Scammer - [email protected]

Subject: Re: Michelle Banks replied to your ad: A MODERN ONE BEDROOM FLAT FOR RENT IN OXFORD CITY CENTER
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2012 08:28:49 -0400
From: PAUL HART <[email protected]>
To: Michelle Banks

Thanks for getting back to me.I wouldn't want you to get me wrong,the idea of making a confirmation of your financial ability is not only my idea, my lawyer and i decided to use that process and i can't violate my lawyer procedure.

However,i didn't want to collect any money from you as long as you have not sign a contract neither have i taken you round my flat. All what i request of you is to transfer the security deposit(£600) with atleast 4wks rent payment(£600)to someone close to you in the UK through WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.Once the money is transfered,you should get back to me with a scan copy of the transfer receipt so that i can forward it to my lawyer to confirm if the transfer is valid and available in your friend's custody.

After the confirmation might have been made by my lawyer, i will ask you to tell your friend to pick up the money,and you can schedule a convenient day and time for the viewing after which you can move into the flat immediately because the key will be given to you after the payment has been made physically , i promise to return the cost of the transfer without any deduction.

Hope to read from you soon.

Regards,

PAUL

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.

someone tried to scam me with the same thing. Here are the details -

1) Hello,
Thanks for the interest you have in my flat. My flat is still available for rent and you can move in as soon as possible as you like,here are the necessary things you need to know about the rent and deposit.

Type of property : Private one bedroom flat(Livingroom,double bedroom,bathroom and kitchen)
Rent : £150.00 pwk(£600 per month)All bills inclusive...
Minimum Stay : 2 weeks
Maximum Stay : For as long as you may like..
Type of lease : Both short and long term
Security Deposit: £ 600.00 (Refundable at the end of a week stay in my flat)
Utility bills inclusive ( water, gas, council tax, TV license and wireless Internet)
Utility Cost : £ 0.00 pcm
All bills included: its fully furnished, bath/wc phone.
Fully-equipped kitchen
Vaulted ceilings
Washer/dryer in unit
Central Heating & Double Glazed
Broadband internet connection in each room
Air conditioning
Fireplace/select units
modern English furniture
Car Park
pets allowed
Dss allowed

Available for singles or couples.
viewing can be arranged asap..

Get back to me if you are satisfied and your present location.

PAUL....

2)Thanks for your interest in my flat.Viewing is possible if you can meet up with my solicitors requirements.
My solicitor and i had some past bitter experience of booking a viewing and reserving accommodation for tenants without any form of confirmation of their financial ability and not keeping up to time as at when scheduled has made me loss time and money for traveling as I currently work and Live in ireland.

I will not collect any deposit from you not until i take you round my flat and you are satisfied with it, i just need to confirm your financial ability before i can come and i will also need to seek two days off from work because some tenants do not meet up with the appointments which has led to the dismissal of some landlords in office by their employees, I hope you understand this.

Therefore my Solicitor has acknowledge a protocol by which you can confirm your financial ability to me before i can make arrangement for my coming,In this case, a bank-statement wont be accepted as we have had wayward tenants tendering fake documents, also you don't need to pay any upfront or reservation yet, all we require is, You transferring at least 4 weeks rent payment(£600) and the security deposit(£600) to your friend,partner or family member living within the UK premises.

You re to make the transfer via WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER to any relative or friend of yours been the receiver and you get back to me with scan copy of the receipt which will be given to you by WESTERN UNION agent and if you don't have scanner you may write out the details as it is stated on the receipt which am to forward to my solicitor to confirm it if truly the funds is in your receiver custody for pickup,After the verification been done,i will call or email you to have your receiver pick it up.Note,i will refund the transfer charges when we meet on the viewing day, after the verification has been done, i will make my plan to meet up for the viewing.This procedure is strictly meant for assurance if you are really capable to rent my flat.If this can be done as soon as possible,i will reserve the flat for you and schedule a viewing with you at your own earliest and convinient time..


Kindly reply or feel free to call me if you have questions to ask. +447031843889 or +447031844671.


Regards

PAUL....

3)Thanks for getting back to me.Yes you are right,and I wouldn't want you to get me wrong,the idea of making a confirmation of your financial ability is not only my idea, my lawyer and i decided to use that process and i can't violate my lawyer procedure.

However,i didn't want to collect any money from you as long as you have not sign a contract neither have i taken you round my flat. All what i request of you is to transfer the security deposit(£600) with atleast 4wks rent payment(£600)to someone close to you in the UK through WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.Once the money is transfered,you should get back to me with a scan copy of the transfer receipt so that i can forward it to my lawyer to confirm if the transfer is valid and available in your friend's custody.


After the confirmation might have been made by my lawyer, i will ask you to tell your friend to pick up the money,and you can schedule a convenient day and time for the viewing after which you can move into the flat immediately because the key will be given to you after the payment has been made physically , i promise to return the cost of the transfer without any deduction.


Hope to read from you soon.


Regards,

PAUL

After this I did not email back. He went by the name of PAUL HART, his email address he used was [email protected], and the phone numbers he gave me were +447031843889 or +447031844671, he used Gum Tree to post the add.