Rental scammer - [email protected]

From: Martin Ralph <[email protected]>
To: Con Warner
Subject: RE: Kontaktanfrage zu Ihrem Objekt I843637 [3-Zimmer Neubauwohnung mit Balkon/ Am Modenapark 1030 Wien, 03. Bezirk, Landstraße, 108 m², 3 Zimmer]

Hello,

Thanks for your interest to rent my apartment. The apartment is still available and I would like to rent it. I`m sorry to write you in English but I don't speak your language. I bought this apartment for my son during he studies in Austria, but now he come back home (Guildford / United Kingdom ) permanently, so I'm renting the place for unlimited time. The minimum rental period is 2 month.
The apartment has a range of facilities including washing machine, air conditioning, Internet and telephone, a car park. Also, I have no problem with pets. The apartment is furnished as seen in the photos, but I also have the option of shipment / storage of all my furniture if you want to bring your own equipment (no additional cost).
The monthly rent is 690 EUR including all utilities (water, electricity, Internet, cable, parking, air conditioning, fireplace, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator). The deposit ( Kaution ) is 690 EUR and up on termination of the lease will be refunded to you ( you will have to give me at least 2 moths notice before to leave the apartment).

Before we go any further I would like to know a little something about you, like how many persons you intend to live in the apartment, and for how long.

Now, a little bit about myself so we can get to know each other better. My name is Dr. Ralph Martin and I'm a 46 years old Ophthalmology doctor from Guildford / United Kingdom ( Guildford Hospital ). The only inconvenience is that my job doesn't allow me to leave Guildford even for one single day. But this won't affect you at all. I can make arrangements to rent the apartment from Guildford (on my expense of course).

Thank you for your interest and I will look forward to hearing from you soon.

Ralph


P.S: Please tell me if this is what are you looking for and reply my only if you are truly interested in the apt

This person asks for a deposit payment via Western Union or MoneyGram to an escrow company with a promise that he will send the keys through a courier company.

Sounds safe. It's not!
The emails claiming to be from the company are fake.

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.

I got that too.

Also you'll note that his English skills are not what you would expect from a doctor...

See for yourself:

From: Martin Ralph [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2013 9:07 PM
To: Delamare Damien
Subject: RE: Kontaktanfrage zu Ihrem Objekt I201385 [Wohnung möbliert mit 2 Schlafzimmer, 1 Wohnzimmer, 100 m²]

Hello,

Like I inform you before, the rent price you shall pay on the first month of rent will be 620 EUR with all the charges included + 620 EUR security deposit ( 1240 EUR ), with no extra taxes to pay. I must have one month rent + security deposit from you. The money, I want to receive it monthly to my bank account, so I hope it will be no problem for you to wire the money to my bank account. The apartment is ready for you, you will need only to receive the keys and the contract to check it, and see if you like it. Obviously, we need a way to finalize the deal, which will allow us to make sure we get what must be received. I found a way for us to finalize the agreement in a safe and fast, and in this way, you get the keys in less than two days, if you move fast as well. The solution is provided by a rental company called Halstead Home Rental Company that will handle both payment and delivery of keys.
If we decide to proceed with this transaction, I will have to contact the rental company and provide them all the necessary information, so they can start the process.
I will need your full name and address. You will receive a notification from the rental company shortly after that, together with all the instructions to follow. Regarding the payment, you will be instructed to deposit the money to a rental company account. They will hold and insure your money until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or not. That is how their tenant protection policy works. As far as my concerns, I will be glad to know that the rental company has the possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance. As soon as the funds have been deposited into their account, they will immediately start the shipping process.
The keys and rental contract will be delivered at your address in no more than 2 working days. You will be given a 3 days inspection period from the day you receive the keys and contract at home. If you decide to hold the apartment, then you will have to authorize the rental company to release the funds to me, and the transaction will be completed. If you will not be satisfied with the apartment, you will be able to send the keys and contract back through the same service and ask the rental company to return the funds to you but I am sure that you will love the apartment. If you wish to proceed with renting the apartment, please provide me your full name and address and phone number so I can initiate the deal through rental company right away.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Greetings,
Ralph

> From: Damien Delamare
> To: [email protected]
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2013 20:56:21 +0200
> Subject: RE: Kontaktanfrage zu Ihrem Objekt I201385 [Wohnung möbliert mit 2 Schlafzimmer, 1 Wohnzimmer, 100 m²]
>
> Hello Dr Ralph,
>
> Thanks a lot for your prompt answer,
...
> I have to say that I'm really interested in your apartment as what I can read, but I, of course, can only give you a definitive position on seeing it.
>
> Kind Regards,
> Damien Delamare
> ________________________________________
> From: Martin Ralph [[email protected]]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 1:37 AM
> To: Delamare Damien
> Subject: RE: Kontaktanfrage zu Ihrem Objekt I201385 [Wohnung möbliert mit 2 Schlafzimmer, 1 Wohnzimmer, 100 m²]
>
> Hello,
>
> Thanks for your interest to rent my apartment. The apartment is still available and I would like to rent it. I`m sorry to write you in English but I don't speak your language. I bought this apartment for my son during he studies in Austria, but now he come back home (Guildford / United Kingdom ) permanently, so I'm renting the place for unlimited time. The minimum rental period is 2 month.
> The apartment has a range of facilities including washing machine, air conditioning, Internet and telephone, a car park. Also, I have no problem with pets. The apartment is furnished as seen in the photos, but I also have the option of shipment / storage of all my furniture if you want to bring your own equipment (no additional cost).
> The monthly rent is 620 EUR including all utilities (water, electricity, Internet, cable, parking, air conditioning, fireplace, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator). The deposit ( Kaution ) is 620 EUR and up on termination of the lease will be refunded to you ( you will have to give me at least 2 moths notice before to leave the apartment).
>
> Before we go any further I would like to know a little something about you, like how many persons you intend to live in the apartment, and for how long.
>
> Now, a little bit about myself so we can get to know each other better. My name is Dr. Ralph Martin and I'm a 46 years old Ophthalmology doctor from Guildford / United Kingdom ( Guildford Hospital ). The only inconvenience is that my job doesn't allow me to leave Guildford even for one single day. But this won't affect you at all. I can make arrangements to rent the apartment from Guildford (on my expense of course).
>
> Thank you for your interest and I will look forward to hearing from you soon.
>
> Ralph
>
>
> P.S: Please tell me if this is what are you looking for and reply my only if you are truly interested in the apt.