Rental Scammer - [email protected]

From: Lens Kristian [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: May 2013
To: Michelle Banks
Subject: RE: Private Property Listing Enquiry: Your Property Sandton, 6 Aquila Complex, 16 Granite Road Ref RR623347

Hello,


I am Paul Light and I just received an email of interest in my apartment. I am an English researcher working for a pharmaceutical company and this apartment was bought while working here in South Africa on a 5 year contract, as I thought it would be a better investment than renting. I am the only owner of the apartment, it is paid in full and it has no legal problems . The apartment has not been inhabited since I am no longer living in South Africa.
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, like how many persons are you planning to live in the apartment, for how long, if you have a steady income, etc. I must tell you from the beginning that I do not have a problem if you are a student and I am very fond of pets and willing to accept them in the apartment(I am the proud owner of an English bulldog). You should also know that I appreciate sincerity very much.
In addition to everything else here is a little something about the apartment and myself so we can get to know each other.
The apartment is the one in the pictures from the advertisement.I have the option of sending all my furniture into storage if you want to bring your own (no extra costs)
The rent for 1 month is 4800 ZAR (for the entire apartment) including all utilities (water, electricity, Internet, cable). You can rent the flat for any period of time (open end contract) but not less than 3 months.
About myself, I am 42 years and as I told you I am a researcher in pharmaceutical products, currently living in London, my home town .
You can move in the apartment in the same day when you receive the keys. The only issue is that I am already in United Kingdom but I hope that together we are going to find a solution.


I appreciate your interest in my property and I am looking forward to a future collaboration and friendship.


Best regards,
Paul Light

From: Lens Kristian [mailto: [email protected]]
Sent:
To: Michelle Banks
Subject: RE: Private Property Listing Enquiry: Your Property Sandton, 6 Aquila Complex, 16 Granite Road Ref RR623347

Hello ,


Thanks for your reply,
That sounds great !
You seem to be a very nice person and I can assure you we will not have any problems .Like I have inform you before, the price you shall pay for 1 month of rent will be 4800 ZAR and i want also one month guarantee deposit 4800 ZAR ( the guarantee deposit 4800 ZAR you will receive back when you leave the apartment ), with no extra taxes to pay. The money, I want to revive it monthly to my bank account, so I hope it will be no problem for you to wire the money .

Of course you will have to see the apartment before discussing further details . I am willing to send you the keys so you can visit it and see it suits your needs.The delivery for the keys and viewing permit (signed by me), will be made with WorldWide Moving to make sure that we can trust each other.
I will explain the procedure if you are interested so please email me as soon as you read this message because I really need to take care of this matter.



Regards
Paul Light

From: Lens Kristian [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent:
To: Michelle Banks
Subject: RE: Private Property Listing Enquiry: Your Property Sandton, 6 Aquila Complex, 16 Granite Road Ref RR623347

Hello ,


First of all , I want to tell you that if you are ready to proceed with this transaction I will need to inform you the steps about how this service works
You will have 2 days to inspect the apartment before your final decision to rent . I will pay the shipping costs.


This is how they work :



1) I will make the delivery papers at WorldWide Moving. The shipping company its called : WorldWide Moving (www.worldwidemoving.co.uk)
After that I will send you a copy of my passport .



2) After I will make the papers for delivery they will require for your payment confirmation of the first month and the guarantee deposit(4800 ZAR + 4800 ZAR= 9,600 ZAR) to the company .WorldWide Moving will send you a delivery notification to let you know they have the Keys and the papers in their custody .
Also WorldWide Moving will give you further instructions about the money deposit .



3) After the payment is confirmed the delivery process will start and when you will receive the keys, you will have 2 days inspection period before your final decision to rent .



4) If all is in order, you will instruct WorldWide Moving to give me the money. Further rents will be sent directly to my bank account.



5) If you refuse to rent the apt , WorldWide Moving will give you a full refund (9,600 ZAR) and you will give them back the keys and the contract.



If you are interested to rent the apt please send me your information, so i can make the deal:




Name:..................
Address: ...............
City: .....................
Postal Code: ...............
Country: ...................
Phone number:...............



Thanks

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.