wimdu.com rental scam

Searching rental apartments in New York City on Wimdu.com I discovered a rental apartment that to me seemed like a great deal for a great rate. In the beginning when I contacted the owner he seemed quite legitimate. Looked on google maps to see whether the address was legitimate also he sent me electricity bills and certificate of ownership. Also sends references of people who have stayed with contact emails. See below

Dear Mirko

Thanks for the prompt reply . The apartment is available for your chosen dates of March 25th 2013 to April 5th 2013 .It is sure one of the best apartment you will be lucky to stay here in New York at this reduced rate.The Classy and beautifully furnished 2 bedroom apartment comes two queen size bed and a sofa bed The apartment is located on 420 W 42nd St, Apt: 28A, New York, NY 10036, It can accommodate 6 comfortably. suitably furnished with modern amenities, air-conditioning, Wireless internet, DVD, LCD TV, laundry soap , toilet paper, towels, linens, hair dryer, soaps basic, central heating, telephone, alarm clock and security system . it a private unit and has a private packing space without any additional fee. The apartment is on a very safe neighborhood. It is very quiet at night and also safe to walk at any time of the day and night.

Your dates March 25th to April 5th 2013 is Available (One week and three nights)

Weekly Rate = $1020
3 nights = $510
Total Rental fee = $1530

Security deposit = $300


To secure the Apartment for your dates you required to make a down payment of 50% of total rent that is $765 plus a fixed refundable security deposit of $300 . Therefore the total down deposit is $1065 to secure the unit for your date


The remaining rental balance to be paid on arrival.

Payment methods include the following

US BANK CHECK
BANK TO BANK TRANSACTION


You are to choose the best options that suits you, We do not accept credit card over the email but we accept to charge your card when you are at the apartment .

The damage security deposit of $300 will be refunded to you on your departure date provided nothing is damaged or lost in the unit during your stay.


Here are some recent renters for you as reference , You can touch base with them to know more about me and the apartment.

1)Daniel Kaat : From Wisconsin , spent one month([email protected])

2) Catherine Kurds : from Canada spent 10 nights([email protected])

3)Lilian James : From Ohio , Spent 2 weeks.([email protected])

4) Josh Platini : From Italy ,Spent 16 nights ([email protected])

5)Salas Franklyn : from UK , Spent one week ([email protected] )


Let me know if this is okay by you so i can send you a booking form for you to fill in and send back to me ,I will also send you reservation confirmation as soon as the filled form is returned then you can let me know the best method of payment that suits you so we can finalize the deal and have the unit reserved fully for your date, Await to hear back from you as soon as possible.

Regards
Donald

Once references are checked and payment made via bank to bank transfer. See below

Bank Name : Suntrust Bank
Bank Address : 120 W 20th St New York, NY 10011
Name On Account : Shafiq M. Shabazz-Bey
Owner Address : 137 5th Ave New York, NY 10011
Account No:1000151168621
Routing No:061000104
SWIFT: SNTRUS3A

They then email you a contract form stating all the rental agreement. A few weeks later they emailed me requesting the full amount because they have an accident and needed surgery and were burdened financially and so needed the remainder to help with medical payments. That's when alarm bells began to ring. Luckily I discovered scamwarners website and other people who were scammed by exact same person/group.

Welcome to Scamwarners sunstruck.
Please help others by posting the name and email address of the scammer. - Thanks.

Went by the name of Donald Bustamate. His email address was [email protected]. Also beware he/she has many email addresses that they use as references see below.


)Daniel Kaat : From Wisconsin , spent one month([email protected])

2) Catherine Kurds : from Canada spent 10 nights([email protected])

3)Lilian James : From Ohio , Spent 2 weeks.([email protected])

4) Josh Platini : From Italy ,Spent 16 nights ([email protected])

5)Salas Franklyn : from UK , Spent one week ([email protected] )

Thanks for posting this. It confirmed my suspicions when I received virtually the same email from a "host" on 9flats.com. He (she?) goes under the name of Brian P. on 9flats. Below is the email I received and, just for a laugh, his "honest and very trustworthy" profile on 9flats:


Dear David
Thanks for the patronage and interest in our apartment, I got the information and have it saved for the booking/reservation purpose. The Classy and beautifully furnishes unit comes one queen size bed in each room and a sofa chair that pull to a full size bed. The apartment is located on he apartment is on 41 1st Ave , Apt 13C . New York NY 10003, United States. It can accommodate 4 comfortably. suitably furnished with modern amenities, air-conditioning, Wireless internet, DVD, LCD TV, laundry soap , toilet paper, towels, linens, hair dryer, soaps basic, central heating, telephone, alarm clock and security system . it a private unit and has a private packing space without any additional fee.

Your dates August 30th to September 12th are Available (13 nights)

Nightly Rate = $170
13 nights= $2040 (with one night discount for more than one week stay)

Security deposit = $300


To secure the Apartment for your dates you required to make a down payment of 50% of one month rent that is $1020 plus a fixed refundable security deposit of $300 . Therefore the total down deposit is $1320 to secure the unit for your date


The remaining rental balance of $1020 to be paid on arrival.

Payment methods include the following

US BANK CHECK
BANK TO BANK TRANSACTION


You are to choose the best options that suits you, We do not accept credit card over the email but we accept to charge your card when you are at the apartment .

The damage security deposit of $300 will be refunded to you on your departure date provided nothing is damaged or lost in the unit during your stay.


Here are some recent renters for you as reference , You can touch base with them to know more about me and the apartment.

1)Daniel Kaat : From Wisconsin , spent one month([email protected])

2) Catherine Kurds : from Canada spent 10 nights([email protected])

3)Lilian James : From Ohio , Spent 2 weeks.([email protected])

4) Josh Platini : From Italy ,Spent 16 nights ([email protected])

5)Salas Franklyn : from UK , Spent one week ([email protected] )



Let me know if this is okay by you so i can send you a booking form for you to fill in and send back to me ,I will also send you reservation confirmation as soon as the filled form is returned then you can let me know the best method of payment that suits you so we can finalize the deal and have the unit reserved fully for your date, Await to hear back from you as soon as possible.

Regards
Brian


About Brian P.
Member since July 2012
I am simple, down to earth, easy to get along with , fun , honest and very trustworthy. I love to laugh and make people laugh. I like simple things of life . I am married with three great kids. I am a very upfront person and also like to make people around me very comfortable. I am new on 9flats but i have many reference from my previous renters who can tell you more about my service and about my person. If there is anything you would like to know about me , Please ask as i am like an open book.