by Michelle
Fri Dec 07, 2012 5:24 am
> Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2012 02:36:48 -0800
> Subject: Re: Flat in Cambridge
> From: [email protected]
> To: Michelle Banks
>
> Hello,
>
> Thanks for the response. I am willing to have you in my flat as long
> as you view the flat and like it. But due to my past bitter
> experience,henceforth, my solicitor and i have decided to carry out a
> simple test on seriousness and financial ability to pay for my rent
> before coming for viewing. I have travelled all the way from Coventry
> to take some interested candidates round my flat because that's where
> i work, which has brought about great loss to me because they didn't
> get the flat all because they can't afford it.
>
> I would not ask you to send your bank statements or pay slip. All you
> need to do is to transfer at least 1 month rent together with the
> security deposit £ 400 which is refundable to someone close to you
> through Money gram using your name as the Sender and your friend'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 and send it
> to me as i will forward it to my solicitor to verify if it's truly
> genuine and available in your friend's custody, after verification,
> then we can proceed for the viewing.
>
> Note that the transfer must be confirmed valid before the receiver
> picks up the money and also, i will refund back to you the cost of
> transfer when we meet.
>
> I look forward to reading from you soon.
>
> Regards
>
> Mrs Johnson K. Lynn
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 a Money Transfer Service 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 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 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 other 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.
