by Con Warner
Thu Jan 10, 2013 12:56 pm
From: Gitte Asker Srrensen <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: In response to the advertisement for the flat.
Date: 9 January 2013 11:11
To: Con Warner
Hello,
I have attached a copy of the contract. This is not the final version because after the viewing we will discuss about possible corrections of the tenancy agreement. I have also attached some pictures of the flat, a map of the location, the floorplan and a copy of my passport. I work for Vestas Wind Systems and because of my special situation (being abroad) I need to be sure that you are a genuine interested tenant. I am willing to have you in my flat as long as you pay your rent but it is unfortunate that my past bitter experience of inviting people to view my property without any form of confirmation of their financial ability has brought great loss to me. Some potential tenants do not have the money to pay their rent and yet they disturb the landlord to arrange a viewing. Also some people do not meet up with the appointments which has led to the dismissal of some landlords in their place of work by their employers and I cannot afford to find myself in a similar position. Therefore my lawyer and I have decided to carry out a simple test on financial ability before coming for the viewing. I am not asking you to send your bank statement and I definitely do not want to collect any money from you before the viewing.
This is what we can do:
You will make a money transfer to someone you know (it can be a family member) with name and address in UK using Western Union for 1 month rent and the deposit (that means 1000 pounds) and send me the scanned receipt (I will pay you back the transfer fees, do not worry). As soon as I receive the scanned receipt I will forward it to my lawyer to verify if it is truly genuine (note that my lawyer must confirm the transfer valid before the receiver picks up the money). After my lawyer verifies the authenticity of the transfer, I will book a flight for UK and I will meet with you. When we will meet I will bring all the documents and legal papers certifying my ownership of the flat and also the tenancy agreement which we will both sign after you will see the flat. You will pay me only after you will see the flat and after you will read and sign the contract.
So all you have to do is to find a Western Union office and wire 1000 pounds to a friend of yours and send me the scanned receipt. I am asking you this to be sure that I do not come in UK for nothing. I hope you can understand my situation.
Please understand that this money transfer by Western Union is not a payment for the flat, it will only prove to me that you are a serious and reliable person. I can come to London in 3-4 days after you make the transfer. I am waiting for your mail.
Gitte Asker Srrensen
Kongens Nytorv 23
Copenhagen
Denmark
This person asks for proof that you are able to pay the deposit and rent (for a property that he does not own) due to a string of time wasters.
This proof is in the form of a cash or bank transfer either to him, his lawyer, your friend or a family member.
Sounds safe. It's not!
At other times, this person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union or Moneygram with the promise that they will send the keys through a courier company.
In either case, if payment is made and you give this person the details, they will collect the money.
You will not hear from them again.
All the details such as names, addresses, pictures etc. that the scammer uses in order to back up his story, are stolen from elsewhere.
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 Craigslist, Gumtree or similar listing sites. If you receive any requests from 'Landlords' asking for some kind of payment 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.
Abusing a passport with the number 201732437
