Rental Scammer - [email protected]

*****

On 22 Jul 2012, at 15:13, Anne Howells <[email protected]> wrote:

Thanks for the interest you have in my flat. The following are the basic details you need to know about the flat which is located at The Crescent, Hannover Quay, Bristol BS1 5JQ.

Rent: £ 320.00 Per Month.
Refundable security deposit : £ 400
Utility ( water, gas, TV license. electricity and wireless Internet)
Home amenities includes - Washer/Dryer, Dishwasher,Microwave, Storage, cable, phone etc

Moreover, the flat is fully furnished and equipped with all necessary house facilities also benefits a secured parking space but i can make it unfurnished if prefer. How many months do you intend to rent and do you have a reference in Bristol?

Hope to read from you soon,

Regards
Mrs Howells

On 22 Jul 2012, at 19:18, Anne Howells <[email protected]> wrote:

Thanks for the swift reply. Th monthly utility bills is less than 40 pounds. I am willing to have you in my flat as long as you want after the viewing. It is unfortunate that my past experience of inviting people to come and view or reserve my flat without any form of confirmation of their seriousness and not keeping up to time as at when scheduled, has brought about great loss to me. I have traveled all the way from Coventry to take some interested candidates round my flat because that's where i work.

Some outside tenants do not have the money to pay the rent and yet they disturb the landlord to arrange a viewing with their friend or relative who lives close by, also some do not meet up with the appointments.

Henceforth, my solicitor and i have decided to carry out a simple test on seriousness and financial ability to pay for the rent before coming for viewing. I am not asking you to pay before the viewing but at least, one month rent together with the security deposit of £ 400 which is refundable would be required from you to transfer to someone close to you through Western Union Money Transfer agent using your name as the Sender and your friend or family member's name as the Receiver.

Once you have done this, scan the receipt to me and if you do not have scanner, you may write out the details on the receipt as i will forward it to my solicitor to verify if it's truly genuine and available, after verification, i will ask you to inform the receiver to go and pick up the transfer and i will refund the transfer charges immediately after the viewing.

Kindly let me know if my explanation is well understood. Have a wonderful time.

Best Regards
Mrs Howells

On 23 Jul 2012, at 09:53, Anne Howells <[email protected]> wrote:

I'm sorry, I can't talk on phone due to my condition but you can easily text me on 07903286420. I lost my hearing.

Kind Regards
Mrs Howells

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.

From: Anne Howells ([email protected])
Sent: 01 August 2012 12:31:27
To: Michelle Banks

Thanks for the swift reply. I am willing to have you in my flat as long as you want after the viewing. It is unfortunate that my past bitter experience of inviting people to come and view my flat without any form of confirmation of their financial ability and not keeping up to time as at when scheduled, has brought about great loss to me. I have traveled all the way from London to take some interested candidates round my flat because that's where i work, is either they cannot afford the rent or the security deposit required but want me to come up with the aim of renegotiating.

Henceforth, my solicitor and i have resolved that any potential tenants should be able to prove in the following way in order to determine who is financially buoyant and that he or she can stick to appointment when scheduled and able to pay his/her rent as at when due. In this case, a bank-statement or guarantee from your organization wont be accepted as we have had wayward tenants tendering fake documents.

PROCEDURE:

1) Transfer the amount of £400 (the security deposit) to any of your family members in the UK or your close friend via Western Union Online or Western Union outlet/shop close to you.

2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union transaction receipt as a proof of the transfer or mail me the transaction details should in case you don't have access to a scanner.

3) After the confirmation of the transfer valid the same day, then we can proceed with the viewing at your own convenient day/time.

4) If you decided to take the apartment, we'll both go to any local Western Union outlet close to the flat for you to pick up the money and pay me. (You don't need to come with cash for viewing but we can both go after viewing to cancel the transfer and withdraw the money to pay me).

5) A receipt showing for your payment will be issued and handed over to you after signing the contract.

However, i don't want you to have the feelings that am asking you for money before viewing the flat because payment is meant to be done after you might have seen the flat, that's why i said you should make the transfer to someone close to you and after the confirmation, you can easily cancel the transfer as the sender or inform the receiver to pick it up at any western union outlet.

Kindly let me know if my explanation is well understood and note that i will refund the transfer charges immediately after the viewing.

Best Regards
Mrs Howells