Rental Scammer - [email protected]

From: [email protected]
To: Michelle Banks
Subject: RE: Appartamento in stile veneziano sul Canal Grande
Date: Wed, 7 Aug 2013 15:45:54 -0700

Hello,
I will appreciate an response in English.. thanks!

My name is Chiara Ronnisi, I am a British woman 46 years old, no kids, and I worked as an economist in Venice. My contract period there expired and now I've moved back to my born city-Leicester (United Kingdom), to spend some time with my family. Due to this fact, I can rent the apartment from one month up to few years.

I have available the apartment located in Calle S. Bernardo, 30125 Venice. It has 1 bedroom, 1 living room, 1 bathroom, kitchen and has 70m2. It is fully furnished and equipped. I want to rent the apartment because first I tried to sell it but I couldn't obtain a good price due this global financial crisis, so I decided together with my family to rent it.
The price for a month of rent is 420,00 € for whole apartment with no extra costs and also including the utilities (water,heating,electricity).

As I said before, I live in Leicester now and I'm the only person who has the keys and the papers of the apartment but I have a solution to solve this problem, so you can move in my apartment when you will receive the keys.

Thank you and would be nice to hear from you soon.

Best regards,
Chiara

From: [email protected]
To: Michelle Banks
Subject: RE: Appartamento in stile veneziano sul Canal Grande
Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2013 15:59:14 -0700

Hi Michelle
I'm glad as I have an answer from you!

The apartment is available, you will only have to receive the keys and after that you can see it.
I've found a way to complete the transaction safely and fast, so you will receive the keys in 2-3 days. The solution I've chosen is provided by a company called UPS Logistics, so they will take care both the delivery and payment issues.

Regarding the monthly payments I want to receive them in my personal bank account, so I hope it will be no problem for you.

I would like to know more details about you.. is very important for me to know who will live in my apartment because I want a good person.
I think you can understand me.. and finally I request money for 1 month of rent + 1 month warranty.

Thank you and I'll explain you more about how we will do this.

Best regards,
Chiara

From: [email protected]
To: Michelle Banks
Subject: RE: Appartamento in stile veneziano sul Canal Grande
Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 06:49:13 -0700

Dear Michelle
Thanks for you've told me about yourself!

I understand you and I sent you a copy of the rental agreement.
I know that on the internet are many scams but don't worry, is not our case.

I will inform you about how this service works. As I said before, you will need to deposit into UPS bank account the money for 1 month of rent + 1 month warranty= €840, so they can proceed with the shipping and you will receive the keys and the contract.

I will explain step by step how UPS service works:
- To start the transaction I will need your name and address, so I can go to the UPS office and make all the legal arrangements.
- UPS will check the envelope and if everything is in order, they will send you a payment invoice to let you know that they have the package in their custody.
- After you will receive the payment invoice, you will need to make the money transfer in their bank account.
- After the transfer is checked, you will receive the package in about 3-5 hours at your address. Then, you will go together with their agent to see the apartment and you will have 24 hours to decide if you keep it or not. If you don't want to rent it by any reasons, the UPS Agent will give you the money back and you will give them the package back.
All this time the company will keep the money in holding, I will receive it only after the contract is signed!

If you agree then, you need to send me your full name and address so I will be able to make all the arrangements with the UPS!

Thanks for all and I hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards,
Chiara

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.