Rental scam - Germany

Hi,
I would like to share my experience recently regards to Rental scam. I was looking for a flat to rent in Germany and I found a flat for cheap rent (almost 50% lesser to market price). I contacted the person through email, they asked so many questions through email, then finally selected me as a tenant etc... they will send the key through TNT and explained the procedure, by looking at the instructions, everyone will believe that it is true.... I have almost decided to go for it.. Fortunately, i just thought of checking in internet whether i can find any relevant details.. Thanks to scamwarners.com! I had found one of the member explained his experience, that helped me.. I stopped the process.. I was saved by scamwarners.com, so i thought i should share my experience and the email which I have got from them... Please be careful about these kind of emails... they are fraud..

Sent: Sunday, 9 December 2012 12:10 PM
Subject: RE: Anfrage von zum Inserat 1451173 auf studenten-wg.de

Hello dear tenant,

Thanks for your interest.There is no other persons in the house, so you will not have to share the apartment.The registration is allowed.
My Apartment is already furnished including things like washing machine, water, electricity, gas,internet connection e.t.c..The kitchen has fridge,cooker,oven and other kitchen stuffs.A dining table accommodates 4 people.If you want to bring your furniture, we can solve this. All rooms have air-conditioned (cooling and heating). All furniture is new and modern you can see in the photos. The apartment is located at Römerstr. 19, 69115 Heidelberg (Bergheim) - Immediately available

We are trying to find a tenant for this property ASAP, first-come-first-serve basis

My name is Vivien Droters (45 years) , i live in United Kingdom, but my daughter Giselle graduated in Germany this year. I bought this apartment 4 years ago for her and her fiance.Now they have returned home and have found a good job here.I want to rent this apartment because some money are welcome since it is free, anyone living there and sell it in 4-5 years. Maybe if you are interested we can discuss further about it and I can make you a good price.

If you are 100% interested in renting my flat,I will just send you the keys and contract using a Estate Delivery Company. They will act as a third party in our transaction.I hope it's OK with you, since this is the only reliable option.If you are still interested to rent my apartment just answer me and i will give you more details .

With regards, Vivien!

Hello again ,

Thank you for answer me so fast.The apartment is rented furnished and equipped,and on request,if you want to bring your furniture, we can solve.All furniture is new and modern.
I wish to rent my apartment to some nice and responsible people and in order to do that I have to know a some details about you (Your name,address,like how many persons are you planning to live in the apartment, for how long, if you have a steady income, etc.).

You should also know that I appreciate sincerity very much.

The price for one month of rent is € 320 including all the utilities costs (gas,water,electricity and WiFi internet).Of course I would need one warranty month as well of € 320 which you would get back when you will leave the apartment(you will have to give me at least 30 days notice).For me it doesn't matter if is low price,because i know that it's too good for Heidelberg, for me is important to find a nice and good person to be responsible and to trust,so I can stay calm and take care of my nephew growth:)

Since I am unable to come to Germany personally we will have to use a company called TNT which will handle both payment and delivery of the Keys. Please click on the link bellow to the TNT website to see how we can complete the deal safely and fast directly from the website of the
company where the procedure is explained: http://www.tnt.com/express/en_gb/site/h ... ivery.html

The best thing with TNT is that you can view the apartment before you decide if you want to rent or not.They will act like a licensed third party agency responsible for good development of the transaction.So in your next email please provide me more information about yourself and if you seems trustworthy i will reply with the TNT Rental Properties Services full procedure. I hope to be my perfect tenant and I think we can conclude this negotiation in a short time.

Regards from me and my husband,

Mod edit: Added "quotes" as it makes it so much easier to read. - CW