rental scam [email protected]

dear all,
unfortunately i was involved in a fraud. i just believed what this person was promising, but when i found this forum with another case with exactly the same text, then i got completely angry, desperate, and feel stupid, because i just spent 1000 euros and they go to the trash. maybe you can give some advice of what to do now?

i put here the mails from the conversation with this person.

_______________________________________________

Hello Removed (BW)

I already finished all the arrangements for the delivery of keys and contract. The package will be delivered at the address provided. Of course, you will receive a call 2 hours ahead before the package arrives.
One more thing: In the package there are 2 keys : a large keys with plastic cover for the door and a remote for the alarm.
The remote has 2 buttons (on/off) so before you insert the keys please press off to de-activate the alarm because if you insert the key before you will activate the alarm.
And please make sure that you don't leave anything on like electricity, water, etc.. I want you to treat the flat like your own home.
I will not bother you with anything for the entire duration of your stay as long as you pay the rent in time.
All this of course if you like the apartment
About the contract, I've let blank the rent period field for you can fill it. Also if you agree to rent the apartment you have to sign the contract and send to me one copy through email or Fax, but I think is more easy to send it through email.

Best Regards,

From: Removed (BW)
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Tongelresestraat appartement
Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2014 19:22:01 +0100

Hi Laura,

thanks for all the information, i like the photos and i want to rent your apartment, i do have the money to start the transaction.

i just checked the escrow option of EBAY and i think it is a safe method to pay. i am a bit concerned about the fact that i have to pay first in order to see the apartment but since you are not here i think there is no option. anyways, i do understand that if nor any reason i dont receive the keys or i dont like the place, i will get the money back right?

the details you are asking for are below:

-Shipping Address (address where you want the package to be delivered) and name of recipient
Removed (BW)

-Delivery Schedule (local time you'll be at home to receive the package and sign the receipt)
- since i work every day it is a bit difficult to be home during working hours. but i have some flexibility. i can arrive home at 15:30 the earliest during working day. weekend is not problem.

-Phone number
Removed (BW)

maybe it is a good idea if you give me your phone number to call each other before? so we know a little bit about each other? or maybe using skype even better? my skype name is: Removed (BW)

thanks and i am looking forward to it:)

kind regards

Removed (BW)

From: [email protected]
To: Removed (BW)
Subject: RE: Tongelresestraat appartement
Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2014 16:28:55 +0000

Hello Removed (BW)

Thank you for your response and for your kind email. If you are still interested I agree to rent it to you. I promise you that you will love the place. Of course you will have to see the apartment before discussing further details because you cannot rent an apartment that you haven't seen. Before going further with anything I must tell you that for payment I will use the eBay Company because two weeks ago a person from Amsterdam told me that he want to rent my apartment...i sent the keys to this person but he refused the package ( he told me that already found an apartment ).
Please click on the link bellow to the eBay website to see how we can complete the deal safely and fast directly from the website of the company where the procedure is explained:
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/pay/accept ... tml#escrow

Using eBay escrow account involves three parties: me as owner, you as a potential tenant and eBay as a responsible third party authorized to proper conduct of the transaction.
The Escrow Account eBay works the same way as the escrow account on which you place the deposit when you rent an apartment, except that instead of a bank, we use eBay. Of course, nobody can touch that money until you have not returned the keys.
The escrow deposit, the first month of rent + rental guarantee ( 1020 Euro ), must be filed by bank transfer to eBay. After they receive your deposit, they will notify me immediately to start the shipping of the keys and the contract.
The delivery will be by a licensed company such as DHL or UPS and it will be sent by me at your home.
To initiate the process, I need the following information about you:
-Shipping Address (address where you want the package to be delivered) and name of recipient
-Delivery Schedule (local time you'll be at home to receive the package and sign the receipt)
-Phone number
I want to inform you that eBay will hold the money until you will confirm to them that you like the apartment and keep the keys. If you don't like it, you only have to return the keys to me and eBay will refund the money to you. This will be in writing in the contract I will sign.

I will make the transaction only in this way so if you have the money and if you want to rent my apartment send me your full name, your shipping address, your phone# and I’ll start the procedure.

I attached my identity details so now you know the person Who are dealing with.

Best regards,

From: Removed (BW)
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Tongelresestraat appartement
Date:

Hi Laura,

First of all, thanks for the extensive information about you and the apartment. My name is Antonio Colin and i come from Mexico. i am already living in the Netherlands for 4 years. i came to the Netherlands to study a master program (automotive engineering) and then i decided to continue studying and do a post-master program. both at the university of Eindhoven. i have graduated last year (October 2013) and right now i am working at DAF Trucks Eindhoven as a Control Engineer in the product development area. i have a contract for indefinite period of time with TMC mechatronics. (i am working at DAF via TMC, as an external). therefore i have a steady salary of more than 3000 euros gross.

right now i am renting an apartment here in eindhoven with another person, but the owner is going to sell it, so i have to move soon. i am interested in your apartment since i am no longer a student and i would like to have some order, cleanliness and privacy. moreover i would mind to have the furniture since i don't have too many things here. (most of the furniture is from the landlord).

because you are in London, is the apartment supposed to be only for myself? or are you planning to return one day?

i would be very interested in checking the apartment and luckily have the opportunity to live there for a while. so please tell me what sort of arrangements do we have to make. in principle i am ready to move at any moment (the sooner the better), but i could wait a bit as well.

thanks a lot and looking forward to hearing from you

btw, my phone number is Removed (BW)

kind regards,
Removed (BW)

From: [email protected]
To: Removed (BW)
Subject: RE: Tongelresestraat appartement
Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2014 15:02:28 +0000

Hello,

My name is Laura Rendell and I received your email of interest for the rental of my apartment located in Tongelresestraat 10, 5611 VK Eindhoven. The apartment have 1 bedroom, 1 living room, 1 kitchen and 1 bathroom.
I am a research engineer for a pharmaceutical company and I bought the apartment while working on a 2 year contract in Netherlands as an alternative to renting. I am the only owner of the apartment, the apartment is paid in full and with no legal problems. The apartment is not inhabited since I am no longer living in Netherlands. You could be my second tenants.
My intention is to rent the apartment to nice, clean people and in order to do that I would like to know a little something about you, like how many persons do you intend to live in my apartment, do you have a steady income ,etc
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 advertisment. 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 420 euro (for the entire apartment) including all utilities (water, electricity, Internet). Security deposit is 600 euro, and you get it back, when you decide to leave the apartment (you will have to give me at least 30 days notice). You can rent the flat for any period of time (open end contract).
About myself, I am 39 years old and I am a research engineer for 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 problem is that I`m already in London but I hope that we shall find a solution.

Thank you for your interest and looking forward to a future collaboration and friendship.

Best regards,