by Michelle
Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:13 am
From: Michael Skinner <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, Jul 16, 2012 at 7:11 PM
Subject: Re: 2 bedroom flat - shoreditch
To: Michelle Banks
Hello Michelle,
Thanks for your mail and your interest regarding my flat. I have attached the photos and the floor plan, please check your attachment. The minimum rent period is for 3 months and maximum 3 years. The property is available to be rented right away, no one is currently living there. The price of the rent is 1084 pounds/month for the whole flat (bills are not included) and you have to pay the first month of rent in advance, plus a 542 pounds deposit.
The property is very clean and I want to find a responsible tenant. As you can see in the photos, everything is new in the flat. I am currently working in Madrid, Spain and I am here with my family. It's a bit hard for me to travel to London because of my working place and I have to be sure that you are really interested in my offer. Regarding the meeting, I think we can fix a date when I can travel back so we can reach an agreement. The property is fully furnished with all home utilities like: electric shower, vacuum cleaner, toaster, oven and microwave, dryer, iron, washing machine , refrigerator, dishwasher, heater, cable ready TV set and DVD player, Internet connection.
I shall be waiting for your mail if you think my flat is suitable for your needs and to make the necessary arrangements for the viewing as well.
Thank you, Michael
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 or similar money transfer services) 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 ! These money 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, or similar money transfer services 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.
