[email protected] // [email protected]

> Date:
> Subject: Flat in Edinburgh
> From: [email protected]
> To: Michelle Banks
>
> Hello Michelle,
>
> I got the messages you sent to my hotmail address
> ([email protected]), you would need to reply to this gmail
> address ([email protected]), as I am best reached via the
> email.
>
> Here are the details you need to know about my flat.
>
> PRICE:
> * £ 100 (per week) fully inclusive of all bills (water, gas, council
> tax, TV license and wireless Internet)
>
> * 1 Calendar month rent in advance plus £ 400 security deposit (refundable).
>
>
> FLAT: Slateford Road EH14 1PB, Edinburgh
>
>
> Fully furnished Room -- Double bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers,
> Central heating.
> Room with lock & key system.
> wi-fi internet
> phone
>
> Fully fitted kitchen/diner. cupboard and fridge/freezer, Microwave,
> Dish washer, Washing machine, Steam Shower & Whirlpool Bath.
>
>
> Attached to this message are some pictures of my flat. My flat is
> exactly as it is in the pictures and I am wiling to make reservation
> for you.
>
> I will like to state that there has been many prospective tenants who
> are willing to rent my flat. A prospective tenant came up to me today
> after receiving your first message and was willing to pay even up to 3
> months rent in advance but due to your sincere interest in my flat, I
> declined the offer.
>
> My flat is fully furnished in and out and all the facilities there are
> new and there are so many people who are looking for good flat to
> rent. I discussed your proposition with my solicitor and after so much
> deliberations, he suggested 2 options;
>
> (1) You can send a month rent and the security deposit (sum of 800
> pounds) to me in order to confirm full reservation of my flat.
>
> (2) If you are unwilling to transfer the deposit to me before viewing
> the flat, you can transfer it through the Western Union Money Transfer
> using your family member's name as the Sender and your name as the
> Receiver to an address in UK (if you do not have any address in the
> UK, you may use
> my flat address). After the transfer, you would get back to me with
> the transfer receipt for me to forward to my solicitor for
> confirmation of the transfer valid. This would show the deposit is
> genuine and available in your custody. On your arrival, you would
> view the flat and if you like it, you would locate the nearest Western
> union outlet to my flat and pick up the deposit to pay for the rent. I
> promise to refund the transfer charges without any deduction.
>
> Which ever option you prefer, my solicitor will need some information
> from you to draft a contract which you will print and bring along with
> you on your arrival date to my flat.
>
> Your full name:
> Present address:
> Confirmed move in date:
> Contact number:
>
> Kindly get back to me with these information so I can forward it to my
> solicitor.
>
> Best regards
>
> Mrs Rake Lynn. Chloe

> From: [email protected]
> To: Michelle Banks
>
> Hello Michelle
>
> As I said in my previous message, I'm willing give out my flat to you
> and I have forwarded your details to solicitor for the preparation of
> the tenancy agreement, which would be ready in few days, but you would
> need to make reservation by paying a month rent and the security
> deposit (800 pounds).
>
> I would have love to provide my bank details for the transfer but due
> to my recent change of work, which results to some changes in my bank
> account details. I wouldn't want to transfer fund into that account
> now, not until I have my first month salary paid into the account. s
> you would need to make use of the western union money transfer to me
> or you make use of the second option as suggested by my solicitor.
>
> In the mean time, I would like us to share some pictures so we could
> have the ideal we look like before our meeting day.
>
> Accompanying this email are pictures of myself.
>
> Looking forward to reading from you soon.
>
> Best regards
>
> Mrs Rake L. Chloe

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) 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 ! Western Union 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 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.