Room for Rent and other rental scams
by sophykat Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:10 pm
Be careful, with this scammer, who says his name is Justin Bushby and who claims to be a doctor from London who wants to rent an apartment, that he bought for his son. I have come across this guy already the second time (first time it was a Michael Darby, also a doctor, but from Bristol) on http://www.blocket.se, where I was looking for an apartment in Stockholm.
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by Bubbles Sun Jul 15, 2012 12:55 am
Welcome to ScamWarners sophykat and thank you for posting up this scam. This information will help others to keep from getting scammed.

Bubbles, former Scamwarners moderator.

Rest in Peace 24 June 2015.

Gone, but never forgotten.
by Alinutza Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:40 am
The company what I've hired is a major real estate agency from London, specialized in international rentals, to represent me.
They are called Trulia Imb. , and their website is: http://trulia-imb.co.uk/
This agency will handle the delivery of the keys, the inspection of the flat and also the payment .
Here's how it works :
1 – To start this transaction, I need your full name, address and telephone number. I will also need to know the rental period so I can put it in the contract.
2 – I will go to Trulia Imb. office to drop off the keys and documents of the apartment, along with the contract
3 – Trulia will check the documents to make sure I am the actual owner of the flat, then, they will send you an invoice.
4 – At this point you'll have to pay the money for the first month and the security deposit ( 800 Euro ) to their escrow account . , according to the instructions from the invoice.
This will be a guarantee . The deposit will be just a formality, and it will not commit you to renting the flat.
The money will remain in the custody of Trulia . until you have checked the flat and confirmed that everything is ok.
6. You will go to your bank to make the transfer or you can do it from home if you have online banking and you will send them the proof of payment .
7 – If you will be satisfied by the apartment we will sign the contract and the deal is done . However, if you are not pleased with the apartment for any reason they will give you the money back immediately .
I will pay for the services of the agency, so there will be no extra costs for you.
If you want to begin, please give me the details which I requested above, so I can make the arrangements.
I am waiting for your quick response, because there are several others interested in the apartment, and I need to know if I can count on a deal with you. Regards

..............
This is his new adress [email protected] this site trulia imb co.uk is his site..So be carefull of this bastard
Last edited by Con Warner on Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:30 am, edited 1 time in total. Reason: Q
by Bubbles Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:41 pm
This has the hall marks of a scam. The site was registered this may:
Whois information for domain: trulia-imb.co.uk

trulia-imb.co.uk
IP address: 199.59.241.204
Registrar: Nominet UK (Sponsor: PDR Ltd. [Tag = PDR-IN])
Referrer: http://www.monimet.uk
Created: 2012-05-24
Updated: 2012-07-16
Status: Registered until expiry date.
Name Server: ns1.parkedomains.org
Name Server: ns2.parkedomains.org


I would say that this scammer is trying to piggyback off of the reputation of a real company.

anyone can claim that they will provide the keys and other information. That doesn't mean that they actually will or can do it. Being a go between for renters and landlords is NOT what Trulia does. They only show properties on line. They don't offer other services.

I will bet my next meal that the scammer is communicating to you from a free email address. That is a huge red flag. Then I am sure they want you to send money through Western Union. That is a scam, and if you sent money, it is gone for good.

A real landlord doesn't call the deposit a "formality". It is to protect the landlord. This is a SCAM!

Bubbles, former Scamwarners moderator.

Rest in Peace 24 June 2015.

Gone, but never forgotten.
by EleanoRigby Wed Jul 18, 2012 4:45 am
Hi, I'm really sorry to have to say that I'm in big trouble with this phantomatic Mr Justin Bushby. I thought that everything was legal, I could also check everyday the status of the transaction on the trulia web site. I already paid one month ago the amount of 720 euro for the rental of an apartment in Antwerpen and I really don't know waht to do anymore. I had to ask money to my father because i didn't have enough and I have to give him back the money and now I'm also without an apartment. I'm really desperate, is there anything that I can? is it useful to go to a lawyer? Please, help me...
by jolly_roger Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:20 am
I wish it was hello under happier times EleanoRigby. How did you pay this amount? Was it a bank to bank transfer?
Or western union/moneygram? If it's by banking transfer, go and visit the bank explaining the situation in full detail. They will offer the best advice. Sorry to say but if funds have been sent wu or mg, you've done your dough with no chance of recovery. Your only chance is to find out if the money has been collected by the receiver and if not, cancel the payment without delay. However if the funds you sent have been collected already, you have lost. A lawyer will not be able to help unless you can track down the actual scammer, which will be a hard task. Many of the african scammers use internet cafes and some use relay points.
I know that is not the news you seek and I wish there was a better answer.
by fousa Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:19 pm
Hello. The Justin Bushby [email protected] tried to scam me too. I was trying to find a place to rent in Portugal (where i live) and saw a house that is very different from typical portuguese house. I contacted anyway and he gave me this answer

Justin Bushby [email protected] wrote:Hello,

Thanks for your interest, i bought this apartment for my son during he's studies , but now he's back home in London UK permanently, so i'm renting the place for unlimited time. Before we go any further i would like to know something about you, like how many persons you intend to live in the apartment, what is your job , how old are you and for how long you will stay . The flat is exactly like in the pictures, fully furnished equipped and renovated. Also, very important, the utilities water hot/cold, electricity, heating, gas, Internet, cable, parking space, dishwasher, garbage disposal, are included in the price of 460 Euro per month and i believe it is convenient for both of us. All the bills will be paid by me and you have to pay only the money for the rent in every month. The security deposit is also 460 Euro, and you get it back, when you decide to leave the apartment ( you will have to give me at least 1 month notice ). You can use my furniture, or you can also use your own if you prefer. I'm a Neuro-Oncology doctor from London - United Kingdom . I can make arrangements to rent the apartment from here fast and easy. I look forward to hear from you soon.

Thanks


I understood right away that it was a scam and googled his email... here I am! Becareful!
by Celtic 123 Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:50 am
Hi,
I am so glad I found this website. I too was hooked in by a lovely flat in Brussels that was being rented by Justin Bushby. I knew the offer was too good to be true but was fooled by the story about the son and the he's I'm a doctor story.
I am so sorry for those who have lost money to this guy but I am also so grateful for you posting your comments on here. I have been able to pull out before it got any further. This guys almost had 2000 euros off me!

I hope other people out there Google's this guys name before handing any details or money over.

Here is what he sent me:


[color=#FF0000]
Thanks for your interest, i bought this apartment for my son during he's studies , but now he's back home in London UK permanently, so i'm renting the place for unlimited time. Before we go any further i would like to know something about you, like how many persons you intend to live in the apartment, what is your job , how old are you and for how long you will stay . The flat is exactly like in the pictures, fully furnished equipped and renovated. Also, very important, the utilities water hot/cold, electricity, heating, gas, Internet, cable, parking space, dishwasher, garbage disposal, are included in the price of 1.000 EUR per month and i believe it is convenient for both of us. All the bills will be paid by me and you have to pay only the money for the rent in every month. The security deposit is also 1.000 EUR, and you get it back, when you decide to leave the apartment ( you will have to give me at least 1 month notice ). You can use my furniture, or you can also use your own if you prefer. I'm a Neuro-Oncology doctor from London - United Kingdom . I can make arrangements to rent the apartment from here fast and easy . I look forward to hear from you soon. Thanks


Hello
Thank you for your reply but the thing is that I'm in United Kingdom already. Like I have inform you before, the price you must pay on the first month of rent will be 1000 eur + 1000 eur security deposit ( 2000 eur ), with no extra fees . I must have one month rent + security deposit from you. The money, I want to receive it monthly to my bank account, so I hope it will be no problem for you to wire the money to my bank account. The apartment is ready for you, you will need only to receive the keys and the contract to check it, and see if you like it. Obviously we need a way to complete this deal, that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are after. So i have found a way for us to complete the deal safely and fast, and in this way you will receive the Keys in less than 2 days, if you move fast as well . The solution is provided by a rental company called Trulia which is similar to FedEx or UPS , Escrow ... etc, which will handle both payment and delivery of the keys. I have found a procedure that will allow you receive the keys of it and through this way you will see it and decide if you will stay in the apt or not before I receive my payment. To start this transaction, I need your full name, address and telephone number. I will also need to know the rental period and the day you want to move in so I can put it in the contract. I will pay for the services of the agency, so there will be no costs for you. Also, in case you have another apartment right now, and you cannot move out immediately, we can make the deal as I explained it now, and consider it only an inspection and reservation. I look forward to hear from you soon .
Thanks[/color]
by hdoisahfioa Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:00 am
Hi!

I also got an email from this guy claiming to be a onkology-doctor from UK. Obviously I became suspicious when he couldn't write properly in english. I got the exact copypaste of "bought this apartment for my son" lah blah blah. It was an apartment in Gothenburg, Sweden, so he's obviously running this scam everywhere. Thank you for the heads up!
by Bubbles Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:00 pm
Welcome to ScamWarners hdoisahfioa, it is great you recognized the scam and did not lose money tho this scammer. We love to hear a positive outcome.

Bubbles, former Scamwarners moderator.

Rest in Peace 24 June 2015.

Gone, but never forgotten.
by answis Mon Aug 06, 2012 4:04 pm
This time he strikes in Reykjavik, Iceland. Thanks guys for your website.

He uses now name Dr David Wilson and email [email protected]

Here is a second email from him after I send few "worm" words to him. He didnt even bother to read my email.

"Hello ,

Thank you for your reply but the thing is that I'm in United Kingdom already. Like I have inform you before, the price you must pay on the first month of rent will be 89.000 isk + 89.000 isk , security deposit ( 178.00 isk ), with no extra fees . I must have one month rent + security deposit from you. The money, I want to receive it monthly to my bank account, so I hope it will be no problem for you to wire the money to my bank account. The apartment is ready for you, you will need only to receive the keys and the contract to check it, and see if you like it. Obviously we need a way to complete this deal, that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are after. So i have found a way for us to complete the deal safely and fast, and in this way you will receive the Keys in less than 2 days, if you move fast as well . The solution is provided by a rental company called Trulia which is similar to FedEx or UPS , Escrow ... etc, which will handle both payment and delivery of the keys. I have found a procedure that will allow you receive the keys of it and through this way you will see it and decide if you will stay in the apt or not before I receive my payment. To start this transaction, I need your full name, address and telephone number. I will also need to know the rental period and the day you want to move in so I can put it in the contract. I will pay for the services of the agency, so there will be no costs for you. Also, in case you have another apartment right now, and you cannot move out immediately, we can make the deal as I explained it now, and consider it only an inspection and reservation. I look forward to hear from you soon."

One more time thanks guys, I hope someone will track this scamer.
by jolly_roger Tue Aug 07, 2012 11:31 am
Well done answis for posting the new name and email address of the tosser.
You have saved someone in the future. People doing an internet search will see your post and will not get their fingers burnt.
by dr_phil Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:57 am
Meanwhile, in Stockholm...

Just received the same email as above, but with SEK instead of EUR and so on from a certain doctor in the UK.

I have told the listings site to check for other listings using the mm2012 email address, will have to see if anything comes of it.

suspicions were aroused when an English doctor did not give a name or state that he was an MD, ALL the utilities would be paid for, including gas, something that is miiiighty rare in Stockholm these days, and the general shite English of a doctor.

So I googled. and ended up here.
Good save, Internet, good save.
by Johansson Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:56 am
I have not found the information fast enough! so i lost a lot of money!!! But i think i should sent here the new mailadress from this man and now he rent out in Stockholm!!! With a adress in
Here his email adress: [email protected]
His Name: Dr. David Samuel wilson

CAREFULL!!!!!!

If somebody find out how i can get back my money, please give me the information!!!!
by Bubbles Mon Aug 13, 2012 12:26 am
Welcome to ScamWarners. I am sorry to hear that you were scammed. You can report the scam to your local police. Sadly, there us typically little they can do because the scammer is usually in a West African or Malaysian country and getting an international investigation going is quite costly.

Scammers hide behind fake email addresses and fake names and use Western Union to collect the money because there are no records kept.

Typically if the money has been picked up by the scammer there is no way to get your money back. I am sorry to tell you this.

Bubbles, former Scamwarners moderator.

Rest in Peace 24 June 2015.

Gone, but never forgotten.

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