Landlords tend to be cautious because there are so many dishonest tenants, & whilst the law goes to great lengths to protect tenants, it expects Landlords to watch out for themselves. Consequently tenants find Landlords quite hard work as we insist on proof that a tenant is going to be honest & responsible before we hand over our keys. Scammers pretending to be Landlords use this to their advantage.
In this scam, the “Landlord” advertises a very attractive flat – the flat is a bargain, it’s too good to be true! You can’t afford to miss it!!! These ads will pretty much be on free listings (Gumtree, Craigslist) or else will be in response to a Wanted Ad. that you yourself have put out. Nearly always fraudsters use our own greed to overcome our common sense. It is clear to you that the flat is a must have – you can tell from the advert, the description, the photos, even without seeing it, that you simply must secure it before someone else snaps it up. In correspondence it appears that you are going to be the early bird that gets the worm, the Landlord doesn’t realise how much their property is really worth, you are going to land the fish. But just as you have the bargain within your grasp the Landlord comes over all cautious. They want proof that you are Bona Fide. Have you got the money for the deposit & 1st month rent for the flat? Not for long – you are going to lose it in a second!
The “Landlord” suggests a foolproof way of your proving that you have the money. You simply send a relative (or a friend, or even yourself) the money by trackable means. You pay the money into Western Union for it to be sent to your relative. You get the receipt, & send a copy of the receipt to the Landlord to prove that you have the money. Nothing could be safer – you trust your relative to give you the money back so effectively it never leaves your possession & you can use it to snap up your bargain.
Only when your relative comes to draw the money out to return it to you, they find that someone with the receipt details & their ID has already withdrawn the money. Now don’t say that you wouldn’t fall for that, because lots of very intelligent people have fallen for it already, & lots more who haven’t read this blog are going to. I have copied below some of the correspondence used in the operations of this scam. Real people have lost real money.
The telltale signs of this scam are:
- Scammers always seem to be poorly educated, their correspondence is full of grammatical errors, & spelling mistakes. One day a scammer will learn to use a spell checker – then we will all be in trouble!
- The flat is a bargain, it’s too good to be true!
- The adverts appear on free listings such as Craigslist, Gumtree, or in response to a “Wanted” advert that you have placed.
- They can’t meet you
- Western Union, Moneygram
Some Real Life Examples
Hello
Thanks so much for your patroinising of my flat but i will want us to do its in this way and if you think you have`nt seen what you want to pay for i think if i send you the pics and i know you will see what it looks like and i want you to know that this is the best way for me to do it, i want you to know that it will be Ok for both of us,anyother things apart from this is fowl and if you want it in this way,dont hesitate to get back to me asap.
I will pay you immediately the money you used for the transfer called ,TRANSFER CHARGES,its just for me to show my lawyer the details that you paid for the deposit and Rent, so i can fixed an appointment with you to come and see your flat and for you to be sure you can secure the payment of the deposit via western union as follows you can go to western union to pay with your name as receivers and your boyfriends name as senders just e-mail me the details as follow to show my lawyer that you really paid or send me the scanned copy of the payment,to show to him ,
NAME OF SENDER……
YOUR RELATIVES NAME NAME OF RECEIVER…..
YOUR NAME MTCN 10 DIGIT CONTROL NUMBER…
AMOUNT SENT….
ADDRESS OF SENDER….
And it will be you only that can pick it up and when i get the details will call western union for confirmation if you really pay and will ringed you up also to fixed an appointment for 2morrow after which we both go together to western union and pick it up when you’re thru viewing and you pay me and i will handed over to you your key and the receipt which would have been prepared by my lawyer after i shown him the details and i call western union if you really pay and you’ll be able to move in anytime.
Hope this get to you in good condition.
Await your reply back
1)when you just get to western union, send the money by your friends name.
2)your name must be the reciever coz we will go to nearest western union to get the money when its time for viewing.
3)you will now send me the information so that i can comfirm that you really want to rent my flat.
4)when will get there and you did not like the flat,you will get you money back coz i`m only doing this coz there are some people that are just wasting people`s time and i dont have time to waste.
5)And the viewing will be schedule immediately
Hello .
It is a pleasure reading from you again, viewing the property is not
well executed on here i need a serious commitment before i can come
for the viewing because am now in Liverpool for some civil job now.All
you need to do is to transfer the security deposit and a month fees
to any of your friend,family partner,relative or anybody in U.k even
to yourself or anybody you trust through any western union agent
around you and scan the receipt you are given from the agents to me to
check if the money is available and immediately i see and confirm the
details,i will arrange for the view and after the view you will go and
collect your money and pay me cash in the presence of my lawyer to
prepare a rental receipts or anytime since i am 100% assured that you
are capable This is done this way for the safety and security of the
both of us because i don’t want to tell you to pay me before the view
and i need to be sure you are serious and for the charges it will be
deducted from the first month payment.if you can do this now i will
come for the viewing as possible . i wait to read from you soon.so
that we can arrange for the viewing. i will be waiting for the details,so
i can confirm and see if the money is available,so we can arrange for
the viewing and sign the contract agreement and receipts in the
present of my lawyer.
Cheers
******
Hello flatmate
Thanks for the mail and interest in my flat?Its good for you to come but before you can have access to view the apartment you have to complete the security fees of 400 GBP this is from the authority concern i will implore you to make the payment of the security and get the confirmation to view the said apartment without this security fees you have no acess to come and visit the apartment.i will be very happy to be sincere and honest with you due to my bad experience last week by a flatmate like you who wanna come over and view the flat but not knowing his a bugler.
I will want to let you know that if you really interested in my flat you will been to act fast and also pay security deposit and contact because a lot of people were really interested to be my flatmate both home and abroad and you need to pay secuity deposit for me to keep the flat for you and also let me know if you agreed to security deposit to keep the flat for you.Let me know if agree if so you should get back to me with your full name with contact address to prepare agreement for you to sign.
Hope to read from you again with the transfer details for viewing tomorrow so that after confirming the transfer details which my lawyer will issue a receipt you will bring along with you for viewing,
Cheers,
Hi
Really appreciate your mails,really am i looking for someone urgently to occupy the room, cus i have been with my uncle here for so long not until he got a job in west africa, as a director of one big firm, and he could not help but go, so he has gone and i dont want to stay alone in the home, so he asked me to look for a roomate. the place is located in ***********, St John’s Wood, London, NW8 0EH .
so if really you are intersted in the room, he his giving it out for 400pounds but you will have to secure the room by paying a deposit of about 200pounds.
The room has internet and it also has a desk and a chair for reading and writing, there is a private bathroom and toilet in it. its really nice.
once you are ready to make payment for the security deposit for the room, i will advice you to contact him, all discussion is with me but the payment goes to him cus he his in charge.
i will only entertain good questions, i only make him know when i do find someone that is serious and willing to get the room cus its urgent, like i told you that i wont want to stay alone in the house cus it will be boring to me, so i am going to israel tommorrow to meet my parent and i am not coming back until Saturday(already with my ticket, leaving first thing tommorrow morning), as soon as you have got the place secured, then the receipt you will get will be presented to me cus i will be home as soon as you made it.
little thing about myself, i am alittle quiet, fair in complexion, i dont party except on friday evening, i can sit for coffee maybe on saturdays, i am jovial, but sometimes serious. hope to meet you soon.
Do you have a picture of your self, if you do i will like to see it, hope you have seen mine.
hope to read from you soonest.
here is my Uncle email address: ***********@yahoo.com
His name is Mr. ****************
His number is +**************
******
I have attached the photos of my flat below. My flat is very close University and also the nearest tube station is Marylebone and Regent Park tube station is just about 5 mins walking.
General information
Address: Regent Street,
Neighborhood: Westminster,London,W1B 6UW
City: Central London
Rent: £300 per Month(s) for each room
Deposit::£700 (The security deposit with one month rent will be pay first thruWESTERN UNION,the security deposit is refundable after stay one week in my flat so if you agreed you may getback to me with full name with contact address.
Available: 10 MARCH 2008
Minimum Stay: 1 Month(s)
Flatmate description
Gender: Female Orientation: Straight
Smoker: Non Smoker Occupation: Professional
Age: 27 yrs old Pet: No
Preferred flatmate description
Gender: Doesn’t Matter Orientation: Doesn’t Matter
Smoker: Doesn’t Matter Occupation: Doesn’t Matter
Age Range: from 16 to 99 yrs. old Couple: Doesn’t Matter
Room and flat description
Dwelling type: Flat Floor #:
No# of bedrooms: 3 # of BR available: 3
No# of bathrooms: 3 Parking: Yes
Pet: Not Disclosed Flat Sq ft.: 0 Sq. Ft.
Room amenities: Furnished, Private bath, Hardwood floor, TV, Air conditioning, Closet, Private entrance
Home amenities: Washer/Dryer, Internet, Dishwasher, Yard, Pool
Comments:
Access to Health Club at no cost superbly located in the heart of the interesting and vibrant area of CENTRAL LONDON, yet with easy and convenient access into the City Center. is a recently developed area around large water basins and walkways with lots of entertainment and places to eat and drink.Let me know if is suitable with you if so you should be able to get back to me with Full name including your Contact address to make the agreement form for you to sign.
Sincerely
Hello Dave, You can stay in My property for as Long as you want and you dont haveto pay any Bills because all Bills is inclusive.we have to reach anagreement before you can be able to view the Property.I am giving thisflat away just because no one is making use of the house at themoment. and i hate to see it dirty every time. Its better for me tolet it out to someone who will make it clean and tidy. I hope youunderstand this. Well, Viewing the house is not a problem. But i willlike you to do a thing. I guess you will understand this. It’s in thepolicy my Lawyer has told me and i wish to abide by it. I won’t getany money from you now. So you will do a thing to make me believe youreally need the Apartment.I have been fooled several times and I hadto travel a long journey with my Lawyer to meet people who wants toview my property and at the end of the day they tell me they want tostay in the apartment for a month before they would pay me. I don’twant this to happen to me again so My Lawyer has advised me that Ihave to be sure that who so ever is renting my property should becapable of paying the cost of the rent. You will go to the nearest WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER aroundyou,Send to your Friend send the sum 1100pounds in western union. Themoney is still within you. I am not ready to get money from you as ihave said. All I need to see is the western union money transfer copyof receipt giving to you. Scan the western union receipt and send itas an attachment to my email just for me to view it and be sure youare ready to get the Flat. after viewing the house, and you reallylike it, You can go together to the western union location agent orbank around here to get the 1100 pounds back and we can reach anagreement on how you will move into the Flat. I will pay back to youthe charges you will be using in sending the money in western union.If you don’t understand, Here is an examples of how to do it….
SENDERS NAME………………..
YOUR NAME RECEIVER’ NAME……………….
YOUR FRIEND NAME. AMOUNT SENT…………………1100POUNDS.
Hello Dave,
I have an apartment on 97 Edgware Rd, London, W2 1ED, United Kingdom,Its an apartment with 2 Bed Room and a Living Room, Kitchen and Bathrooms Included.All bills is included.
I am presently in Bristol taking care of somethings here and I am willing to rent out my Property.
The cost of my Property is:
Security Deposit which would be refunded to you if nothing is damaged in my Property until you would be leaving which is 600 Pounds and the House Rent is 500 pounds/Month and all bills is included.
I have attached pictures of the Room and Living room for you.
I hope you would get back to be asap so that we can finalize this.
Best Regards,
Bruce.
and scan the copy of receipt to me in an email just for me to view it. and then i can pick you up and show you the Flat. Best Regards.Bruce.
[…] Proof that you can pay […]
The rent is bills inclusive except electric bill which you will pay your self. I can take the rent on any term you prefer, weekly or monthly. I will be the one personally to come take you round my flat after you. might have confirm your financial ability to me, like I said, this is due to past bad experience I have had whereby tenants will make me come all the way from belfast to view flat and they would later say its out of their budget. This what you should do to confirm it: Transfer atleast 800.00 pounds to your partner through western union,get back to use with a scan copy of transfer receipt before your partner picks up the fund, my solicitor will then confirm it, then after this your partner can pick up the transfer. This will fully assure us that you are both financially capable to hold my flat for long term rent. Awaiting response. Mr Willy Bradford
Yes Jannine – that is exactly what a scam e-mail looks like, thanks for posting it.
Here is a scam I have uncovered on Gumtree. Unfortunately, people don’t have the savvy or research skills that others posses and will fall for scams like this.
Thanks for the reply.I would love to meet you, get to know you and show you round the flat so that you can see what you are renting but I have been having problems with time wasters who could not keep to there end of deal.Its really time wasting because i am a very busy person and do not really have much time to waste. To me, every seconds count.because i am presently in the studio doing some live recording and icant make or receive calls due to the nature of my job,but have my Laptop here to reply to emails.viewing will not be a problem, Anytime during the week in the evening would be a good date for our meeting.
The rent is still very Low considering the current economic climate in London..
Can you please answer the following questions?
-Are you really serious about the renting the flat?
How many are you to occupy the Flat?.
-If you love the flat when you see it, will you make the payment to hold it against your move in?
why I am asking these questions is basically because of my experience with my last tenant. Morgan moved into my flat in JUNE:2008,on commencing the tenancy, he paid a total sum of £537.50 in rent hoping that he would pay up the balance unknowingly he provided a fraudulent employers reference to convince me of having a stable job!
Although i served him with Section 8 and Section 21 Notices and obtained a Court Order for possession of the property, he was reluctant to move out or pay any of the rent arrears.County Court bailiffs got him evicted and his total debt to date is £1,263. (Quite much).
I will prepare all the necessary documentations i:e Contract Form:which we will both sign after being satisfied with the flat.
Payment will be made after signing the contracts and keys will be handed over to you once contract is made.
Please,understand that i am NOT asking you to pay me BEFORE you view the flat.The neighborhood is safe and i guess you have heard much about this area?it is a safe, clean area.
-Your rent begins on your move in date..
-Viewing is never a problem.
-Proof of ownership and Documentation will be shown upon viewings.
-There is no minimum or maximum stay.
– Rent include Council Tax,electricity,gas,internet, e.t.c
-Its 550pcm and 550 refundable deposit.
Kindly get back to me about an idea on what we can do so that we can arrange a meeting for viewing.
Thanks while hoping to read from you.
Regards,
—– Original Message —–
Sent: 22/12/10 02:06 PM
To: davelawson@gmx.co.uk
Subject: RE: Reply to your ad: beautifully furnished one bedroom studio flat — available directly from the owner
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your email. I am a 26 year old professional musician. I would be willing to rent the flat out for a minimum of 6 months. I am reliable and tidy also, therefor I would take care of the flat. What are the next steps?
Kind Regards,
Robert
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2010 21:47:01 +0100
From: davelawson@gmx.co.uk
Subject: Re: Reply to your ad: beautifully furnished one bedroom studio flat — available directly from the owner
To: ……….
Hello
Thanks for your mail. I am a very young comfortable professional,26 who works in a recording company as a studio manager.I would like to rent out a double bedroom Garden Flat with Broad Band Internet to a very easy going person at 550 per month including all bills.available now for you to occupy.not shared apartment..My apartment is very comfortable fully furnished flat of brand duplex flat.Located in quiet residential area {Pentonville Road, Islington, London, N1 9LA }in fashionable Islington, next to Upper Street which is alive with restaurants, cafes and bars. Easily accessible by train or London Underground, the flat is just a few minutes’ walk from Angel Tube Station and also close to King’s Cross. The Design Centre is just a five-minute stroll away while the Barbican Centre and the City Square Mile are also close by.is fully furnished with digital home cinema, hi-fi system, VCR, DVD player, phone, fax, computer, cable/satellite, internet access, wardrobe, cupboard, Hanging wardrobe, safe deposit box, radio alarm clock, hair dryer, fully air-conditioned, central heating, intruder alarm, fire alarm and more. Large fully equipped kitchen, 2 toilets and unlimited wireless internet.
I don’t want any problem for myself.., i need to know the person that will occupy my apartment that is, the person that will take care of my apartment like theirs because am letting the flat out because am presently in Manchester working. It is not compulsory that i rent out the flat but if i can get a reliable and tidy person that will take care of my flat for me i can let it out.so i need to know them better i.e what you and your partner do for a living.
Rent Includes
Electricity
Gas
Water Charge
Council Tax
Lease
internet
Waiting to read from you.
Update on “Dave Lawson’s” Messages:
I really appreciate your response but i do not want to stand on peoples promise of paying me cash or cheque when we meet again because i have met with time wasters who will only want to view and do not keep to there end of deal as regards payment if they are satisfied but will only want to look at all the beautiful flats around London. I am not ready to wait till a months time before any payment.
I was discussing with my colleague about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not be disappointed this time around and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union.I have never used Western Union before but a bit familiar with it. She explained that it is a very fast way of sending and receiving money as she has used it a couple of times for renting out her flat. She said that western union can actually hold the money as an evidence and surety that her tenant will pay her at least for the first month and deposit. that you should go to any western union outlet close to you, to send one month rent of 550 +refundable deposit 550 pounds in your name to your friend’s name in your present address or you tell your friend to send the money to you..
I WILL EXPLAIN TO YOU:
PROCEDURE…
1) Transfer the money, a month rent 550 + refundable deposit of 550 (Senders name = friend or partner’s name)
to your name (Receiver) in London.
2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction for confirmation on the western union customer care line if the money is really available for any of you to pick up when i arrive in London.If you do not have access to a Scanner,you can as well send me details to confirm on
(https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global)
3) When we meet,i will meet you and take you to the flat for proper viewing
4)If you decide to take it both of us will go to any local Western Union office close to my flat & you’ll pick up your money to pay me.
5)Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.
In order for me to be on a good side,you can go ahead and make the transaction since you have the money ready,let me know immediately you do the transaction.
I am pretty sure that the transaction at WU office will require some charges,i will definitely refund the transaction charges back to you upon viewing whether you decide to rent or not.
But,i will only rely on your honesty that you have made the transaction before making my way down for proper viewing.
Please,understand that i am NOT asking you to pay me BEFORE you view the flat as payment is done AFTER viewing and Signing of contracts. I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this conditions,both of us can be sure we are not wasting our times.Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed.Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you.Looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.
Does that sound reasonable? other months rent will be paid directly into my bank account.
PS:I am sorry for the lengthy mail.I only want to explain myself better.
Waiting to read back from you.
Actual thing: http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/stefek99/FRAUD-London-Gumtree.png (mailbox printscreen)
OMG someone just used this exact script on me. word for word!! smh
Thanks for the reply and the sincere interest you have in my flat.My flat is fully furnished in and out as you can see in the picture and there is a garage and a off street parking in my flat. I spoke with my lawyer concerning the interest you have in my flat and we both agreed to have you in my flat.
However,it is unfortunate that my past bitter experience of inviting people to come and view my flat without any form of confirmation of their financial ability and not keeping up to time as at when scheduled, has brought about great loss to me. I have traveled all the way from Ireland to take some interested candidates round my flat because that’s where i work with (P. Elliott & Company).
Some outside tenants do not have the money to pay the rent and yet they disturb the the landlord to arrange a viewing with their friend or relative who are in Edinburgh, also some do not meet up with the appointments which has led to the dismissal of some landlords in office by there employees.
Henceforth, my lawyer and i have decided to carry out a simple test on seriousness and financial ability to pay for my rent before coming for viewing. I would not ask you to send your bank statements or pay slip . At least 1 month rent of 480 GBP plus the security deposit £400 which is refundable after your 1 month stay in my flat, would be required from you to transfer through Western Union Money Transfer agent to your trusted friend or relative in UK premises as a Receiver
Once you have done this, scan the receipt to me and if you do not have scanner, you may write out the details on the receipt as i will send it to my lawyer to verify if it’s truly genuine and available in your friend’s custody, after verification, then we can proceed for the viewing.
Note that the transfer must be confirmed valid before the receiver picks up the money and also, i will refund back to you the cost of transfer when we meet.
I look forward to reading from you soon. +447024010306
Regards
Mr/Mrs Brehn
There seems to be a whole website full of scams here
http://www.rentitprivately.com/
Really wish I could let someone know about this.
How about telling the company that they are listing scams? The website is owned by this company http://www.internetics.co.uk/contact-us/ and I am sure that they would see advertising scams as damaging to their business.
How do we know that thess websites are not from the “landlords”? A friend of mine lost £1000 last week from a Western Union transfer on a flat listed on “allhomesinlondon” website and she just tried “hallolondon.co.uk” and the scam is the same.What can we do to these websites?The police didn’t want to know and WU refused to say who and where the money was picked.
Terasa, All we can do is keep publicising that this happens, and hope to educate people how to spot & avoid
Teresa, http://www.allhomesinlondon.com/ is not associated with these scammers, it is just a place where people can post their ads for free. There is a prominent warning on EACH property listing NOT to send money to anybody before the agreement is signed, and REPORT PROPERTY link, so reported scam property will be deleted.
We are working now on adding detailed anti-scam articles to educate people how to avoid this.
And, most likely, in the nearest future the website will be no more free, because scammers will never pay.
This is what I got when I posted an ad on Gumtree looking for a room in London:
Hi xxxx,
Since you are ready to view,i will plan my time here and make sure am there before you arrive.
The only thing is that i need double assurance, because i want to avoid traveling from Birmingham to London in vain, i can afford my fare, but i can’t afford to waste my time.
My Lawyer will get a contract ready for you to sign if you like to take the room after viewing and the keys will be handed over to you immediately after contract has been signed.
Also, receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you’ll have to sign the lease agreement form.
I was discussing with my Lawyer about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not just waste my time to London without achieving my the aim and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union Money Transfer.
She said that Western Union Money Transfer can actually hold the money as an evidence and surety that her tenant will pay her at least for the first month and deposit. She gave me an option on what we can do since you have the funds at hand which will be explained below:
PROCEDURE:
1) Transfer the amount £800 (1 month rent and security deposit) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend.
Your name (as sender) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend (as Receiver) in United Kingdom.
2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union Money Transfer transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction or mail me the transaction details. (The money is safe as it is only you that can withdraw since you need a national ID card or International passport)
3) Then, we will meet for viewing.
4) If you decide to take the room, we will go to any local Western Union Money Transfer office for you to pick up the money and pay me. (You don’t need to come with cash to view, after viewing we will go together, you will cancel the transfer and withdraw the money to pay me).
5) Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.
I am pretty sure that the transaction at Western Union Money Transfer office will require some charges, i will definitely refund the transaction charges back to you upon viewing and if you don’t see what i sent as pictures of my flat to you, you are free to leave without paying me anything.
I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this condition, both of us can be sure we are not wasting our time.
I will only rely on your honesty that you have made the transaction so that i can reserve the flat for you.
Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed. Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you and i am looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.
NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH TO PAY ONCE YOU HAVE VIEWED.
My contact number is 07572313367 i do have network problems with my phone at the moment but can receive text messages and then i can call you back at my spare time.
I am sorry for the lengthy mail, i only want to explain myself better.
Warm regards and have a nice day.
Looks like we’ve been contacted by the same person Laura. Lucky escape!
Russell
I have recently been contacted by someone using this kind of scam. I have posted the email below:
Since you are ready to view,i will plan my time here and make sure am there before you arrive.
The only thing is that i need double assurance, because i want to avoid traveling from Birmingham to London in vain, i can afford my fare, but i can’t afford to waste my time.
My Lawyer will get a contract ready for you to sign if you like to take the room after viewing and the keys will be handed over to you immediately after contract has been signed.
Also, receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you’ll have to sign the lease agreement form.
I was discussing with my Lawyer about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not just waste my time to London without achieving my the aim and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union Money Transfer.
She said that Western Union Money Transfer can actually hold the money as an evidence and surety that her tenant will pay her at least for the first month and deposit. She gave me an option on what we can do since you have the funds at hand which will be explained below:
PROCEDURE:
1) Transfer the amount £1200 (1 month rent and security deposit) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend.
Your name (as sender) to any of your family members (wife, dad, mum, siblings) or your friend (as Receiver) in United Kingdom.
2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union Money Transfer transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction or mail me the transaction details. (The money is safe as it is only you that can withdraw since you need a national ID card or International passport)
3) Then, we will meet for viewing.
4) If you decide to take the room, we will go to any local Western Union Money Transfer office for you to pick up the money and pay me. (You don’t need to come with cash to view, after viewing we will go together, you will cancel the transfer and withdraw the money to pay me).
5) Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.
I am pretty sure that the transaction at Western Union Money Transfer office will require some charges, i will definitely refund the transaction charges back to you upon viewing and if you don’t see what i sent as pictures of my flat to you, you are free to leave without paying me anything.
I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this condition, both of us can be sure we are not wasting our time.
I will only rely on your honesty that you have made the transaction so that i can reserve the flat for you.
Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed. Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you and i am looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.
NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH TO PAY ONCE YOU HAVE VIEWED.
My contact number is 07572313367 i do have network problems with my phone at the moment but can receive text messages and then i can call you back at my spare time.
I am sorry for the lengthy mail, i only want to explain myself better.
Warm regards and have a nice day.
Selina
07572313367
I can’t believe that this actually happens! I was asked to send money through western union as well to get a viewing of a property, and considered it, as I would be sending it to a friend/family member and not the owner. Thankfully I researched this first before I went ahead with it and did not fall victim. Email that was sent to me:
Hello,
I work in a hospital and I can’t take a “holiday” when I want. I can’t take the risk to leave my new job for days and when I arrive in UK to see that I come for nothing. I want to be 100% sure that when I will meet you, we do the rent papers then I can come back in Germany.
So I can be sure of that look how we can do:
You make the deposit from your name and address to your wife/husband (or your best friend) name and address in UK using Western Union (Money In Minutes Service) for 3 months rent that means 1200 £ and send me the scanned receipt. As soon as I see the scanned receipt that you have made the payment, I will come in UK and you will see the flat and maybe rent it. After that, we will go together at the Western Union office and you will take the money back and pay me cash for the first month rent. So all you have to do is to find a Western Union office and wire 1200 £ from your name to your friend name(can be your wife, your brother, anyone in you have trust) and send the scanned receipt. I am asking you this to be sure that I do not come in UK for nothing. I hope you understand.
Please send me an e-mail asap with your decision, because I want to know what i have to do in future.
P.S : As I told you, I have a lot of customers interested to rent the apartment. I will reserve the apartment to you if you promise me that you will send me the proof. As soon as I have the confirmation from you I will stop the transactions with all the other customers!
All taxes and fees what are paid by the customer will be deducted from rent or I will pay for it cash when we will meet.
I will wait your e-mail soon.
PS: When you will go to western union don’t tell them that this deposit transfer is for a deal (transaction) because they will refuse the transfer (they have a little fee for that kind of transactions and will refuse the deposit transfer)
I got this on a gumtree flat hunting quest..It sounds too good to be true.. I am right, aren’t I. Hi,
Thanks for your email response, i am so excited you are interested in my apartment which i am giving out for rent. Actually the apartment is still very much available for rent. I resided in the apartment with my wife and our 2 years son, Before we relocated here in West Africa due to my new post as the leading Evangelist here with CHURCH OF GOD THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
The apartment is available for 350pounds per monthly including the utilities, which i think is not too much, i just need someone with an open heart, love and clean to occupy the home and put all my worries off concerning the maintenance of the apartment . Since i am not residing there again. As i told you earlier in the apartment listing.
The accommodation comprises of 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathroom. Kitchen, Breakfast room, Bedroom, Bathroom and a separate WC..Facilities Internet connection, Electronics like satellite TV and which you have to pay for the subscription, a sony DVD player, air conditioning, alarm system ETC.
The kitchen is fully equipped with all necessary cooking utensils, refrigerator-freezer, four-hob and oven, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine.
Also the keys to the flat are right here with me, and the document. Which i can send to you after all necessary agreement has be accomplished.
Also i will like you to know that the rent charges is not really the issue , but your absolute maintenance of the apartment , because that is the only valuable property. So i wouldn’t want an violation of my property if finally rented by you. I will like you to treat the apartment as your own okay.
INFORMATION BELOW IS NEEDED TO DELIVER THE KEYS AND DOCUMENTS
APPLICATION FORM.
1)Your Full Name
2)Your Full Address
3)How old are you?
4)Are you married?
5)How many people will be living in the home?
6)Do you have a pet?
7)Do you have a car?
8)Occupation?
9)Contact number
10)When are you willing to move in?
11)When are you willing to move out?
12)Contact E-mail Address:-
Pets are no problem.
I will be waiting for your mail so that we can to start to commence on how to the keys and document..
Best Regards
Becca,
Yes – I think it’s going to turn out to be a scam, although they haven’t gone for the kill yet. Very few genuine landlords would allow pets, and the rent is far too low.
I am currently talking to someone who is considered a scam.
My name is Kealon, 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 room, fully furnished with home utilities like: shower, Lounge, Vacuum Cleaner, Toaster, Oven and microwave, dryer, iron, washing machine , refrigerator , dishwasher, 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 £585 for entire flat monthly, bills included and I am interested in a long term agreement, minimum 3 months!
If you are decided to view the flat and have the money I could come in weekend to show you the flat 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 London 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,
Is this a scam?
Yes!