Rental scammer - [email protected]

From: Johanna Roach <[email protected]>
Date: 2013/5/10
Subject: RE: Amazing apartment 2 bedrooms Rotterdam
To: Con Warner


Thank you for your interest. I just read your e-mail about my apartment.
I am the owner of the apartment and it was used by me when I lived in Rotterdam.
Before we continue I would like to know a little something about you, such as how many people you intend to go to live in the apartment, and for how long.
The apartment looks exactly the pictures, fully furnished and renovated.
Also very important to the utility companies (cold / hot water, electricity, wireless Internet, digital television, air conditioning, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, etc.) are included in the price of 600EUR/month .
The rent for 1 month is 600EUR, but you must deposit 1200EUR/2months. You can have my furniture, but you can also create your own.
If you decide your use, you have access to a very large and well-ventilated cellar, where you can be my furniture store.
Thank you,

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.

Hi ,

I will need to inform you the steps about how this service works and how we can make it happen.
Rental Estate AG will be our mediator. This agency will offer you an inspection of the flat, and handle the payments and documents.
You will need to make a security deposit to this company (one month + one guarantee). Once your deposit has been received by Rental Estate AG, they will deliver an agent with the keys/contract.
I will explain to you step by step how this will work:
1 - To start this transaction I will need to know your full shipping name, address and phone number to proceed with this deal.
2 - The agency will check the envelope to see if everything is OK with it and also the legal papers that will come along with the Keys.
3 - Rental Agency will send you a delivery notification and temporary contract, to let you know they have the Keys and the papers in their custody.
4 - At this point you will have to go and make a deposit on the Rental Estate bank account. After you make the deposit you will have to send the scanned paper from the bank.
5 - The agent will verify the payment information and if everything is OK they will reserve an the agent for you.
The agent will get in touch with you and will come directly to the new apartment that you want to rent and show you my flat and explain everything you have to know . If you agree then I must have all the shipping details so I will be able to make all the arrangements for the delivery. Afterwards, the company should notify you regarding the further steps.
If you have any questions just let me know.

Thanks and wait news from you!