by Michelle
Thu May 02, 2013 1:32 pm
Following a text message quoting [email protected]
From: James Walker
Sent: 10 Apr 2013 09:07:19 GMT
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
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 07:42:22 -0700
Subject: Re: apt. in historic center
From: [email protected]
To: Michelle Banks
Attn: Michelle
THANKS FOR CHOOSING OUR APARTMENT: 1 BEDROOM - SLEEPS 3
Via Maggio, 34
50125 Florence,
Italy.
RATE:EUR 50 per night
(VAT inclusive)
AVAILABILITY FOR YOUR DATE: 07/01/2013 - 08/01/2013 (1 month): AVAILABLE
BOOKING TERMS:
*A deposit of 50% of total rate be made on demand of the apartment booking
*Balance to be made at arrival
*A basic surcharge deposit of EUR 300, to be refunded at departure
hence no major damage is done
..............................
.............
YOU'RE BOOKING:
@ EUR 50 per night, for 1 month : EUR 800
Actual rate: EUR 800
50% Deposit: EUR 400
Surcharge deposit: EUR 300
ADVANCE DEPOSIT FOR YOUR BOOKING = EUR 700
Utilities includes : Washing machine, Cable/Satellite TV, Oven, Dishwater,
Air-conditioning, Iron, Microwave, Refrigerator, High Speed internet access etc.
.
I will like to give u two of my recent past tenants .
Mr. Ronald Abramson from Texas stayed for 7 nights:
[email protected]
Emil Klause Eldridge from Germany stayed 1 month:
[email protected]
Attached are some more photos
Get back to me to confirm if you are still interested, so i can send
you my Booking Agreement Form
Regards,
James Walker
From: James Walker
Sent: 10 Apr 2013 09:07:19 GMT
To: Michelle Banks
Subject: Re: apt. in historic center
Hello Michelle
Thanks for the update.
Please email the contract to me as an attachment.
You are to wire the money not check.
MTCN means money transfer control number, it will be issued to you
at the western union outlet where you wired the money. Please fill in
the MTCN or, you can send the receipt along with the contract in an
attachment and email it to me.
Will be waiting to receive it from you.
Regards,
James
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
