Rental Scammer - [email protected]

2013/9/13 Helga Schuster <[email protected]>
Hi Michelle, nice to meet you.

I'm glad to read your email.
The apartment is my own and it is available for a long period, up to few years.

The rent includes the costs of the utilities -water,electricity,gas, internet - there are no extra fees. You'll rent the apartment fully furnished and equipped.
The apartment faces on the courtyard, so there is not noise at all.

The apartment is ready for you, you will only have to receive the keys and the contract to check it and see if you like it. In order of that, I've found a way for us to complete the deal safely and fast so you will receive the keys in less than 3 days. No one could help me show the apartment because I don't know the neighbors very well.
The solution I've chosen is provided by a company called UPS Logistics, so they will take care both the delivery and payment issues. I will support the shipping taxes for the package.

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. This just to know us better, it 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.

Hope to hear from you soon and I'll explain you more about how we will do this.

Sincerely,
Helga Schuster

From: Helga Schuster <[email protected]>
Date: 2013/9/18
Subject: Re: Kijiji - Risposta a "Bilocale molto carino Il Prato"
To: Michelle Banks


Hi Michelle,

Thank you very much for the details!
I've read your email and everything sounds perfect. We can make the contract starting from 1st of October.
I also want to confirm you the price is €430 per month with everything included.

I will inform you about how this service works. As I said before, you will need to deposit into UPS Logistics bank account the money for 2 months (1 month warranty+1 month of rent= €860), so they can proceed with the shipping and you will receive the keys and the contract.

I will explain you step by step how UPS service works:

- To start the transaction I will need your shipping details(name,address etc.) 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 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 2-3 working days at your address. Then,you will go together with their agent to see the apartment and you will have a period of 24 hours to decide if you keep it or not.

If you don't like the apartment by any reasons, the agent will give you the money back or send it to your account, and you will send them the package back to return me on my expense.
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 forward me your shipping name and address so I will be able to make all the arrangements with the UPS company.

Thanks and hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
Helga Schuster

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.