Rental Scammer - [email protected]

I'm so glad to have found this! A big thank you to the everyone who runs this site, and those who posted previous information about this particular scam.

Having seen this listing on gumtree a couple of days ago, I was exchanging emails with this guy (going by the name "Janos Faursen", from Denmark) and trying to work out if it was legitimate, as it did sound too good to be true.

I'll report him to gumtree and to gmail now. Or can I even report him to the police? It seems wrong for him to be able to get away with repeatedly doing this over and over.

Here's copies of the communications I've had:

The original listing

Offered to rent 2 Bedrooms flat in ST DAVIDS CENTRE
£114pw Cardiff City Centre

Seller type: Private
Date available: 20/10/13
Property type: Flat
Number of beds: 2
Offered apartment to rent in St Davids Centre walking distance to Cardiff Central Library,Cardiff Central Station,Millenium Stadium,Mariott Hotel.The apartment is grade I listed building,energy efficiency B 83,double galzing,central has heating.

First email

On 19 October 2013 12:16, Gumtree Mail <[email protected]> wrote:
This message has been sent through Gumtree mail, which keeps your email address private. We recommend that you always reply this way and be wary of anyone asking you to use their private email addresses. If there is anything about the message that you think is suspicious, do not reply and report it to the Gumtree team. We will get back to you asap.

Hello, I am not able to find your emial here, can you please get back to me at [email protected] if you are able to see this?

Thanks

Second email

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Janos Faursen <[email protected]>
Date: 19 October 2013 13:32
Subject: Re: xxxxx replied to your ad: Furnished 2 bedroom apartment
To: xxxxx xxxxx <[email protected]>


Hello,
My name is Janos, I am from Denmark and the flat is still available for rent. It was redecorated last year is looking very nice and clean. Has a fully furnished kitchen, clean and well tidy sitting rooms, laundry room and fully furnished with home utilities like: electric shower, Lounge,Vacuum Cleaner,Toaster, Owen and microwave, dryer, iron, washing machine , refrigerator , dishwasher, power shower, heater, cable ready,TV set and DVD player, Internet connection, equipped kitchen and everything a house needs. I m interested in finding someone clean who can take care of this house more then getting money from renting it if you know what I mean.
The price I want is £440 per month,bills included and I am interested in a long term agreement, minimum 6 months!
If you are decided to view the flat and have the money I could come in the next few days to show you the apartment and maybe sign the tenancy agreement if you like my flat (I am sure you will love it) but first I have to be sure you really do need a place to live because two weeks ago a person told me he is really interested and he asked me to go to Cardiff to meet him and sign the tenancy agreement and when I arrived there no one showed up to rent my place and I lost time and money for nothing. Please accept my apologies if I am rude but I hope you will understand me!
I will wait for your e-mail,

Third email

Janos Faursen <[email protected]> 19 October 2013 21:47
To: xxxxx xxxxx <[email protected]>
Hello,
I've attached some pictures of the flat,floor plan and also a model of the rental contract! The flat is located on 125 Queen St, CF10 2BJ but I can`t give you the exact address because there`s no one living out there and I`m afraid of thieves and I do apologize for this but I hope you understand me because I`m in Denmark right now! The property comprises reception room, kitchen with washing machine/tumble dryer, master bedroom with fitted wardrobes and en suite bathroom, second bedroom with fitted wardrobe and bathroom. Parking place is included too!
In the kitchen there is a dishwasher and also a Big fridge freezer! Regarding the council tax I can tell you that it is included in the price of £440 per month and also Sky TV,internet broadband,gas and electricity are also included in this price! I am interested in a minimum six month agreement and I request two months rent in advance plus the equivalent of one month as a refundable deposit which you will get back at the end of the contract.
Regarding the plumbings and all that kind of stuff I can tell you that the flat was recently renovated and all electrical part and plumbings are new so that won`t be necessary any repairs anyway I have a person who can manage this starting from November.
We can sign the rental contract starting from next weekend but I need to be sure that you have serious intentions in renting the flat that`s why I attached here a model of the rental contract and also we can discuss the terms when we will meet!
If you are decided to view the flat let me know because there is another person interested in reserving it!
Kind regards

Hi,
I have also received the exact same emails from this person. I tried to get the correct address from him as i replied to say that the address provided was for poundland and there was no further emails after i caught him/her out. i also questioned why there was 3 pics sent of 3 different bathrooms.
There was alot of pressure to accept a viewing and to sign the agreement to take the flat but i replied that i was not interested until january and then i got no further replies.