Rental scammer - [email protected]

From: Daniel Alexander - [email protected]
Subject: Re: 72 Rue Rambuteau, Paris

Thanks for your Interest.

I have attached the Booking Agreement form/payment process with this message, fill it and send it back to me with a scanned copy of the funds transfer confirmation and also send me your contact address, all these details will be with the doorman for proper recognition when you get to the apartment, i will personally hand over to you the keys of the apartment on the day of your arrival.

MODE OF PAYMENT WESTERN UNION® MONEY TRANSFER TO:

Payment should be forwarded to my Head office in Marseille, France through the below details

RECEIVER`S NAME: KATE PETER (ACCOUNTANT)
RECEIVER`S ADDRESS: 9 Boulevard Carmagnole 13008 Marseille, France.

You can visit www.westernunion.com to locate any outlet close to your location.. You should send the funds via WesternUnion® Money Transfer It`s Easier, Faster and Reliable and you`ll have to Locate the Western Union Agent outlet to do it in Person....

Note: Is only when payment has been made before i can secure your dates.

After payment has been made please do send me details of the payment and the signed booking agreement form to my Email for my records.

Welcome to Paris and Happy Stay in My Apartment. Please let me have your flight details if you are interested in airport pick-up..

Waiting to receive the above from you in order for me to confirm your reservation.

Regards,
Daniel Alexander - email [email protected]

This person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union, MoneyGram or bank transfer with a promise that you can have the keys to a property that does not belong to him.

Sounds safe. It's not!

At other times, he will ask for proof that you are able to pay the deposit and rent due to a string of time wasters.
This proof is in the form of a Western Union or MoneyGram payment to a lawyer,a friend or family member.

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.

His initial email reply...

DANIEL’S VACATION RENTAL
20 Rue des Tournelles 75004 Paris, France

Attn,

Thanks for choosing my apartment.

Availability is confirmed for your date.
Your date: May 31 to June 4, 2013

Total amount: €160 for the 4 nights (@€ 40 a night), which includes tax.

Your date shall be secured when all modalities have been met.
50% Deposit: €80 + €300, a fixed refundable damage security deposit.
The total amount needed to book the Apartment for your desired dates is = €380

The breakdown is the amount you need to book the apartment for your date. Note, the security deposit will be return to you on the day of your departure. The balance will be collected on your arrival date.

Note: It is only when payment is made that we can secure your dates on your behalf. All the payment deposit would have to be made to our office. When your payment is confirmed along with my booking form forward to the office and it’s confirm we can now official secure and reserve this apartment for you.

METHOD OF PAYMENT VIA WESTERN UNION TRANSFER:

Building Level:

* self-catering

Location: 20 Rue des Tournelles 75004 Paris, France

Sleeps: 3


Baths: 1


Air Conditioning: Yes

Property Type: apartment

General: activities guide, bottled water, local activities guide, toilet paper, towels provided, linens provided, restaurant dining guide, laundry soap, air-conditioning, hair dryer, soaps basic, telephone, alarm clock, local maps, paper towels, refrigerator, freezer, coffee maker, oven, toaster, iron & board, dish washer, cooking utensils

Spices, microwave, washing machine, clothes dryer, the apartment is equipped with high speed wireless internet, a Macintosh computer for your use, flat screen TV with cable, fans in each bedroom and air conditioning in the living room.

Do get back to me if you like the apartment ASAP for the booking agreement form and payment instruction.

Best regards,
Daniel