BEWARE - Housing Scam to look out for

jonny4460 · Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 6

PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:30 pm Post subject: FRAUD+++FRAUD+++PLEASE READ Reply with quote
To all potential tennants LOOKING THROUGH GUMTREE FOR FLATS.
MY GIRLFRIEND AND I HAVE JUST BEEN DE-FRAUDED OF £1000.00 THROUGH SOMEONE POSING AS A LANDLORD WITH A PROPERTY IN SOHO AND ONE IN KINGS CROSS.
THE LUXURY FLATS LOOK LIKE A BARGAIN.
THE "LANDLORD" CLAIMS TO BE DISABLED AND THUS IS UNABLE TO TRAVEL TO MEET NEW POTENTIAL TENNANTS.
HE ASKS FOR PROOF OF FUNDS BY WAY OF A "WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER". HE SAYS THIS IS BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN LET DOWN IN THE PAST.
HE THEN ASKS FOR THE "TRACKING NUMBER". WITH THIS NUMBER AND THE NAME OF THE RECIPIENT, HE THEN PRODUCES A FAKE PASSPORT AND DRIVERS LICENSE WITH THE RECIPIENTS NAME ON IT AT A WESTERN UNION AGENT AND THUS TAKES THE MONEY.
IT IS NIGH ON IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE MONEY BACK BECAUSE OF "THE DATA PROTECTION ACT". PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

WE ARE TALKING TO THE POLICE ABOUT THIS INCIDENT.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT WHO IS THE LANDLORD, YOU CAN CHECK AT WWW.LANDREGISTERONLINE.GOV.UK
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rajeswari · Joined: 22 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

[quote="andybrown115"]Be extremely aware as everyone's said... i've has the following email conversations with 'Brenda'.. she seemed so nice haha.

I have an exact similar email.

rajeswari · Joined: 22 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

On 7/16/08, Mariah Hay <mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hi Rajeswari,

You will send me the receipt for the transaction that is what i will use to confirm from them.The other people i come to show my flat tell me the same thing that is why i cant accept words anymore.

Mariah

--- On Wed, 16/7/08, Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com> wrote:

From: Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com>
Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #26238380: 1 BHK needed --- URGENT
To: mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wednesday, 16 July, 2008, 2:08 PM

Hi Mariah,

Dont misunderstand me. I am assuring you I will pay the rent and am capable to do it. If I am not able to pay the rent [ which is not the case at all ] I will atleast pay for your tickets from Portsmouth.

I am sure I will like the flat and I will pay the rent + deposit to you. But I cant prove my point via WUMT. Besides I dont understand how can you confirm my payments directly from WUMT? I think its a confidential information between me and my friend who receives the money.

Please let me know what you think on this.

Thank you,
Rajeswari

On 7/16/08, Mariah Hay <mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hi Rajeswari,

I dont like it when someone start having negative though about something...How will i not show up,after you have show me that you are capable of paying your rent.I will show up on sunday to show you the place and refund the commission fee back to you.I want you to erase all negative thought in you and let us put our heart together and face the future.

Hope to hear from you soon

Regards
Mariah

--- On Wed, 16/7/08, Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com> wrote:

From: Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com>
Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #26238380: 1 BHK needed --- URGENT
To: mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wednesday, 16 July, 2008, 1:49 PM

Hi Mariah,

I dont think it makes sense to me transferring to my friend WUMT. If you dont come down on Sunday I lose my money paid out as commission to WUMT. Its quite a lot to lose.

I can pay the cash to you when I go to see it [ I am quite sure I ll like it ]. I can give you my bank statement and details of my employer and thats all can I do to show I can pay you.

Sorry about this but I am still interested in taking your flat but cant make a transfer to WUMT.

Please do reply.

Regards,
Rajeswari

On 7/16/08, Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com> wrote:
Hi Mariah,

I am actually still not getting it. If I transfer the money to my friend how would you track it?

Thanks,
Rajeswari

On 7/16/08, Mariah Hay <mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hi Rajeswari,

Thanks for your email,Don't bother about the commission fee,it will be remove from your rent and when we meet if you don't like what you see which i know is not possible the commission fee will be refunded back to you.

I am sorry i cant accept bank statement because i will be unable to confirm it directly.And i cant accept letter from employer due to what happen to me the last time i was in Lodnon to show some people my flat.Isnt that am doubting you but with the WUMT i will be able to confirm directly from them.I dont want you to go back about this because i will only accept proof in this way.When you make the transfer to your friend and i confirm it.I am only requesting for a proof so that i will be sure before i come down.

When we meet and you are okay with the what you see and tenancy agreement,you will sign it and pay me in cash and we exchange key.

Let us put our heart together and face the future.

Hope to hear from you soon

Regards
Mariah

--- On Wed, 16/7/08, Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com> wrote:

From: Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com>
Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #26238380: 1 BHK needed --- URGENT
To: mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wednesday, 16 July, 2008, 12:50 PM

Hi Mariah,

Sorry about the late reply. It was a busy day at work so couldnt reply before this.

I checked with the Western Union Money Transfer and found the rates of commission quite high. I have some things in mind let me put them down in words:

1. I am looking for a flat because I want to rent one. I can pay the rent you stated every month. I can give you my bank statements , my letter from the employer that I draw a monthly salary every month. I will also give you the contact number and details of my employer so that if I fail to pay the rent you can reach me by them [ which is not going to happen ].

2. I dont think sending money to a friend by WUMT would help us prove a point. I might pay to my friend but might not pay you. So if you can think of a better idea to prove a point then it would be of better help to us.

3. I can pay the advance and the rent to you on the same day if I see the flat as given by you in the photograph and if you hand over the keys to me on the same day and we sign papers etc.

Please let me know if any of these sound ok to you. I really liked the flat and hope to stay and maintain it the way you did.

About me: I am Rajeswari, Rhea being my short name, 25, female, single.... I work for an Indian company [Infosys Technologies Ltd.] and am currently working for BT. I am staying in Wanstead currently and work from Brentwood..

Hope to hear from you soon,
Rajeswari

On 7/16/08, Mariah Hay <mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hi,

How are you doing?I check my email hundred times looking for your mail.I will like to know if you have do it tomorrow.

I wish you a stress free day.

Mariah

--- On Tue, 15/7/08, Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com> wrote:

From: Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com>
Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #26238380: 1 BHK needed --- URGENT
To: mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tuesday, 15 July, 2008, 8:02 PM

Hi Mariah,

I think I will try to do that. I can come on Saturday morning or on Sunday evening. Let me know which sounds ok to you.

Thank you,
Rajeswari

On Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 8:55 PM, Mariah Hay <mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Hi Rhea,

This is how you will go about it,When you get to the western union outlet you will tell them that you want to make a transfer to the receiver(Friend,Family or Partner),that the person need the money urgently,and you want the money to be available within minutes.They will give you a form to fill,you fill in the information.You will have to go there with cash.I think thursday will be okay,so that i can confirm it on Thursday and book my ticket to come down before friday and we meet on saturday or sunday the one that suit you.

Let me know if you get how you will go about it now.

Mariah

--- On Tue, 15/7/08, Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com> wrote:

From: Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com>
Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #26238380: 1 BHK needed --- URGENT
To: mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk

Date: Tuesday, 15 July, 2008, 7:32 PM

Hi Mariah,

Please tell me know the exact steps that I should follow. I can do it on Thursday/Friday and we can meet on the weekend. Hope that sounds ok to you?

Thanks,
Rhea

On Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 8:12 PM, Mariah Hay <mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Hi Rhea,

Thanks for your email,I am sorry for my late responses,it will only take 5mins to effect the transfer.As soon as the transfer take place you will mail me so that i can confirm from them.The receiver will pick up the money on the day we meet.But i dont know how soon you intend to make the transfer.Let me know so that i can put you through how you will go about it.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Regards
Mariah

--- On Tue, 15/7/08, Rhea Ghosh <rhea..ghsh@googlemail.com> wrote:

From: Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com>
Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #26238380: 1 BHK needed --- URGENT
To: mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk

Date: Tuesday, 15 July, 2008, 6:36 PM

Actually I am ready to do this. But could you please tell me how much time this is going to take. I mean would Western Union take some time to process it. I am ready to wait also but please, please do not give away the flat to anyone else. I really want it.

On Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 7:17 PM, Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com> wrote:

Is there any other way we can do it? Would the letter of employment and the salary I get be good enough? Actually I am not quite clear as to how to go to Western Union Money Transfer and how would that help. Since I am also in the UK could you suggest some other way of doing it?

I have liked the photos and am really eager to take the flat.

On Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 5:41 PM, Mariah Hay <mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Thanks for your email,i like the way you sound.I am sory i cant accept bank statement because i will be unable to confirm it directly from them.......

This is how i want you to proof it to me so that i will be 100% sure before i come down to London to show you the flat.

The proof will be through Money Transfer,You'll transfer the first month plus security deposit to Someone you Trust(friend,family or partner).The person will be the receiver and the only person that can cash the money.Dont misquote me you are not sending or paying me anymoney until we meet face to face.As soon as that is done i will confirm from them if the money is there as soon as i do i will mail you and the person will go to any nearest western union money transfer outlet to collect the money back.

However,Western union will ask for commission fee,the commission fee will be remove from your first month rent.if you come for the viewing and you dont like what you see which i know if not possible the commission fee will be refunded back to you immediately.

I wish we loose this tie now

Hope to hear from you soon

Regards
Mariah

--- On Tue, 15/7/08, Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail...com> wrote:

From: Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com>
Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #26238380: 1 BHK needed --- URGENT
To: mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk

Date: Tuesday, 15 July, 2008, 4:32 PM

Thank you Mariah.

When do you want me to come and meet you to see the flat? I will also bring in my bank statement as a prove that I can pay the rent.

Please let me know and I will make arrangements to meet you accordingly.

Thank you,
Rajeswari

On 7/15/08, Mariah Hay <mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hi,

Thanks for your prompt reply.i am no problem with that is okay with me.I'm new to all this.I havnt rent my flat out before this is my first time due to my new Job in Portsmouth.I will like you to come for the viewing to see the flat so that you will be 100% sure that the flat is real.The Picture i sent is Just 5days old.

I need someone that will make the flat clean has it always be..I will like us to meet for the viewing so that we can clear this up and sign all neccessary document.I was in London last week to show some certain people my flat when i get there i find out that they are not capable of paying there rent,i waste my money on train and time also,They show me some reference which are fake and i have vow that before i can come to show anyone my flat i have to be sure that the person is capable of paying is rent.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Mariah Hay

--- On Tue, 15/7/08, Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com> wrote:

From: Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com>
Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #26238380: 1 BHK needed --- URGENT
To: "Mariah Hay" <mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tuesday, 15 July, 2008, 4:00 PM

Thanks Mariah.

I just want to make clear the reason why I am looking for a flat. Its because my parents are coming over to visit me for a month. Would that be ok for you?

If yes. I can come today to view it.

On 7/15/08, Mariah Hay <mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hi,

Thanks for your response to my mail.The flat is located at Eastern Avenue,
Ilford,Essex.IG2 7RH

There flat is well furnished,Flat Amenities are En suit-Bathrooms
Phone Jack,Linen supplied,Hardwood floor,TV,Air conditioning,Closet,Cable Jack.There is Alarm System
Washer/Dryer,Wireless Internet Connection,Diswasher,Elevator,Parking,Garden in the flat.

I will like to know if you are still interested......It will be reasonable if you come around to view the place before you continue any arrangement so that you will be sure that the picture i sent to you is real because of all what is happen over the internet.I am new to this i havnt rent my flat out before this is my first time trying due to my new Job .The picture is the exact look of the flat and its 5 days old.

Hope to hear from you soon

Regards

Mariah Hay

--- On Tue, 15/7/08, Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com> wrote:

From: Rhea Ghosh <rhea.ghsh@googlemail.com>
Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #26238380: 1 BHK needed --- URGENT
To: mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tuesday, 15 July, 2008, 1:19 PM

Hi,

I am interested. Please let me know your contact details and I will call you back.

Also please send the photos.

Thanks.

On Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:22:59 UT, mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk <mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
This email has been sent to you through the Gumtree system because you have selected to
hide your email address in your ad:

http://www.gumtree.com/london/80/26238380.html

Is this email spam? Let us know here: http://www.gumtree.com/cgi-bin/help.pl?f=1&s=19
Is this email dodgy? Let us know here: http://www.gumtree.com/cgi-bin/help.pl?f=1&s=2

Contact: mariahhay33@yahoo.co.uk

______________________________________________________________________

Hi,

I was check through this site and found your Ad that you need a flat at Newbury Park.I have a flat in that area.Its one bedroom flat and available.

The Monthly rent is £650 including all utilities bills.Utilities are Gas,Electricity,Cable,phone,Council Tax and Internet connection.A security refundable deposit of £400 is required.The deposit will be refunded back to you two days before the end of your tenancy expired.

If you are interested,get back to me so that i can tell you more about the flat and send you some picture.

Hope to hear from you soon

Regards,
Mariah Hay

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socalmeghan · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Los Angeles

Kiwi Guy · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 9

GUMTREE don't do anywhere enough to combat Scams...in fact it seems they take the side of Scammers on many an occasion.

I have tried to post an Ad warning of Scammers and within 5 mins it was taken down by Gumtree...probably after the Scammers complained.
Are Gumtree stupid or Crafty scammers themselves...you decide.

My advice is go somewhere else...Gumtree is a haven for Rip off merchants. Its got to the point where you just can't trust this site!!

socalmeghan · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Los Angeles

Beware of Tereza Gilroy or terezagilroy@yahoo.co.uk !

Thanks to all of you who have posted your horror stories! I am new to Gumtree and little by little I am getting a better idea of who to look out for.

Anyway, below you find her e-mails to me.

In a nut shell, she's claiming to be a 25 year old fashion designer who is renting out a room. Her "step-dad" (who is working on a construction project in West Africa) is the owner of the home & all rent is to be sent to him. Question

I ran her name on Myspace and Facebook and nothing came up. Then at the last minute I ran her name on Yahoo & Google and a warning (on Gumtree no less) popped up.

Also, she approached me......I never answered a listing.

I have photos that she sent me too, but I can't figure out how to post them....

Here's what she said:

1st e-mail
Monday, July 21 '08

Hi ,

I have a 3 bedroom house and looking to rent 2 of the rooms out . If you are still looking for a room then do get back in touch with me so i can send you the photos of the room , the rent costs £400 per month including all bills.

Please let me know the location you are interested in renting your room to be sure the location of my place is okay with you.

Thanks

Tereza

2nd e-mail
Tuesday, July 22

Hi Meghan,

It is located in 97, Southgate Road, Islington, London, N1 3JS, there is a high speed wireless internet connection, washing/dryer machine, car parking space and garden.

I have attached photos of the room and other parts of the house so you can have an idea of what you would be renting.

So do let me know if you are ready to rent the place and also a little about you, so we can proceed further .

Thanks

Tereza

3rd e-mail
Tuesday, July 22

Hi Meghan,

Good you like the house and interested in renting the room, because i do intend to have the room rented out as soon as possible. I can have the room reserved for you for the 1st of September but your first months rent plus 1 months rent deposit must be paid for me to do this.

The house is owned by my step dad who has been called up for a major construction job in Western Africa by one of the biggest construction company down there . He just bought a new house in Edinburgh and so would be living there when he gets back and so put the house in charge of me for renting but payment of rent goes to him .

I have gone through your profile which seems very much okay with me for you to rent the room, as i know we would definitely get along well with eachother. Below is a little about me.

A lil about me : I do not Drink Neither do i smoke, I am quiet easy going and fun to be with.I like to keep the house tidy and would require the same too.I am a christian by religion,my hobbies are Hiking and going to the cinema's. would like to know more about you too, i am a fashion designer by profession and 25 years old.

The other room has been booked down for by a Swedish professional lady, who has sent payment for her first months rent plus 1 months deposit which i have confirmed and have sent her receipt of payment to her with keys to her. Her profile is similar with mine which makes her a good flatmate as well and would be moving in for the 25th of August.

Do note that you would need to make payment of 1 months rent plus 1 months deposit, which would be refunded back to you at the end of your stay to have the room reserved for your move in and for me to have your receipt of payment and keys mailed to you for your move in.

Let me know if you are ready to rent the place.

Thanks

Tereza

4th e-mail
Tuesday, July 22

Hi Meghan,

I guess you would have received my other mail by now but just got your second message. If everything is okay with you and you will like to rent the room. Then i will like you to get back to me with your full name, address and phone number for mailing of your receipt of payment and keys to you immediately after payment confirmation by me.

All rent payments goes to my step dad as the owner of the house but your receipt and keys will be mailed to you by me via next day delivery after payment confirmation.

I will have my step dad's details sent to you for payment of your first months rent plus 1 months rent deposit after receiving your details.

Look forwrad to your mail back.

Thanks

Tereza

5th and Final e-mail
Wednesday, July 23

Hi Meghan,

I dont have a myspace page but i can send you photos of me later when i access my computer as i aint using it now, mailing you with a friends computer.

Thanks for senbding me more details of yourself as i really do appreciate you letting me know more about you. I dont have a skype id but have a yahoo id and so we can chat on there as i have already added you to my messenger list.

Yes to reserve the room for you i require 800 GBP for your first months rent plus 1 months rent deposit, then every month the rent you will pay is 400 GBP including all bills.

So you just let me know the time you will like to do a web chat with me but am presently online now for us to chat if you can.

So i will like you to get back to me with your full name, address and phone number for mailing of your receipt and keys to you after payment confirmation by me.

I will send you my step dad's details for payment of 800 GBP immediately after receiving your details.

Look forward to your mail back.

Thanks

Tereza

******************************************

Now, here is what I found on Yahoo.

A different girl posted a warning about "Tereza Gilroy" and her e-mail was practically word for word the same as the one I had gotten from Tereza.

Here's the link:
http://www.gumtree.com/london/79/26526679.html

This is what the girl had to say:

Date posted: Tuesday 22nd July

Hi,
The above person is scamming a room for rent.
Please be aware
This is the location/some wording that was tried on me:

,It is located in 97, Southgate Road, Islington, London, N1 3JS, there is a high
speed wireless internet connection, washing/dryer machine, car parking space and garden
Good you like the house and interested in renting the room, because i do intend to have the room rented out as soon as possible. Yes right on the border of Islington and the room is still available for rent. There is a garage on the property where you can park your bike and its secured.

I won't be able to show the place to you prior to your move in day because of my work schedule which is very tight as i get home very late at night, which includes saturdays and as for sundays always away in glasgow with my grandma who is down with cancer which i go from work on saturdays to.

That is the more reason i took my time to take photos of the place to show to whomever is interested, you will be sharing the place with me as i am the only one living there for now .

I leave for work at 6am and before i get home its already around 11pm, i can't meet with anyone at this hour if the day which is the more reason i won't be able to meet with you prior to your move in day.

The house is owned by my step dad who has been called up for a major construction job in Western Africa by one of the biggest construction company down there . He just bought a new house in Edinburgh and so would be living there when he gets back and so put the house in charge of me for renting but payment of rent goes to him .

Below is a little about me.

A lil about me : I do not Drink Neither do i smoke, I am quiet easy going and fun to be with.I like to keep the house tidy and would require the same too.I am a christian by religion,my hobbies are Hiking and going to the cinema's. would like to know more about you too, i am a fashion designer by profession and 25 years old.

The other room has been booked down for by a Swedish professional lady, who has sent payment for her first months rent plus 1 months deposit which i have confirmed and have sent her receipt of payment to her with keys to her. Her profile is similar with mine which makes her a good flatmate as well and would be moving in for the 25th of August.

Do note that you would need to make payment of 1 months rent plus 1 months deposit, which would be refunded back to you at the end of your stay to have the room reserved for your move in and for me to have your receipt of payment and keys mailed to you for your move in.

Let me know if you are ready to rent the place.

***********************************************

Be carefull out there! What does a girl have to do to rent a room in this city without coming in contacts with all these nut jobs! Confused

Malou · Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Location: London

Here are a couple of people to look out for: Jean Boutier (flat in St Pancras) and this Richard Rowe! Always amazing flat, amazing locations and amazing prices, ALWAYS too good to be true!

Hi

I am presently in scotland, have just been transfered to scotland as a supervisor engineer in a new building site. thats why i just needed to rent out the studio.
But i can make myself available to come to the city and we meet at the nearest

train station if we both agree on a perfect date and time to meet.

I would want you to provide an evidence that you have the money to pay for the flat, because i have had on several times whereby some people said they are

interested and after viewing and like the flat,place and love to occupy then later they will also tell me to reduce the amount for them or will pay me later once they get

a good job and i can't afford a waste of time leaving my job for nothing.. For now i need your suggestion on what to do about this because there are lots of people on

this offer and its the lucky ones that gets it.

NB: I AM NOT ASKING YOU TO PAY FOR THE FLAT YOU HAVE NOT SEEN BUT ALL I JUST WANT IS AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE RENT PAY AT

HAND TO AVOID WASTE OF TIME.

I need you to get back to me asap.

You can call me on 07024041503.

Thanks for the understanding.

Regards,
Richard.

I didn't reply but next thing he would have asked for would blatantly have been a Western Union Transfer! If you're trying to rent out a flat you're gonna expect people to come and view it, of course they are always in Scotland and only want to come down to London if you're genuinely interested!

This might sound silly but never put any money on the table until you have seen a property and is genuinely interested! You shouldn't have to touch your bank account just to view a flat!

babsmetch · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

you know it makes me feel slightly less stupid when i read all of the other people that have been scammed in the same way as me 3 weeks ago i have contacted the police and the worste part of this whole story is that western union are really not interested in handing down information regarding pick up of money we cannot just let this go and laugh about this surely western union should be held slightly responsible as they are allowing peop[le to collect money willy nilly they are supposed to have cctv in every branch so the police can detect fraud when will this stop it has made me nervous about renting can i trust anyone i am desperatly looking for somewhere to live and have lost the deposite that i saved so hard for what is the solution it would be nice to hear one!!

babsmetch · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

[quote="jonny4460"]PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:30 pm Post subject: FRAUD+++FRAUD+++PLEASE READ Reply with quote
To all potential tennants LOOKING THROUGH GUMTREE FOR FLATS.
MY GIRLFRIEND AND I HAVE JUST BEEN DE-FRAUDED OF £1000.00 THROUGH SOMEONE POSING AS A LANDLORD WITH A PROPERTY IN SOHO AND ONE IN KINGS CROSS.
THE LUXURY FLATS LOOK LIKE A BARGAIN.
THE "LANDLORD" CLAIMS TO BE DISABLED AND THUS IS UNABLE TO TRAVEL TO MEET NEW POTENTIAL TENNANTS.
HE ASKS FOR PROOF OF FUNDS BY WAY OF A "WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER". HE SAYS THIS IS BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN LET DOWN IN THE PAST.
HE THEN ASKS FOR THE "TRACKING NUMBER". WITH THIS NUMBER AND THE NAME OF THE RECIPIENT, HE THEN PRODUCES A FAKE PASSPORT AND DRIVERS LICENSE WITH THE RECIPIENTS NAME ON IT AT A WESTERN UNION AGENT AND THUS TAKES THE MONEY.
IT IS NIGH ON IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE MONEY BACK BECAUSE OF "THE DATA PROTECTION ACT". PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

WE ARE TALKING TO THE POLICE ABOUT THIS INCIDENT.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT WHO IS THE LANDLORD, YOU CAN CHECK AT WWW.LANDREGISTERONLINE.GOV.UK
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View user's profile[/quote]

i had the same thing happen how can we just get a flat and pay rent hassle free?????????????????

godssb · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

http://www.gumtree.com/london/62/26583962.html

From someone supposedly in Germany.

DO NOT RENT IT.

Deb's · Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

another scam i am sure. flat too good to be true. works @'in leicester and for a media outfit as a radio presenter'! am told that i can i will be met after work (5pm) in london! i asked a few questions then suddenly instead of answering the questions i rec a msg saying what a good idea my suggestions were and and yes money gram office was the way to go and it is now being thrust down my throat. i am asking questions like, do you have a wardrobe in your bedroom?

i think gumtree has already been alerted to this one. thank goodness

weeowen · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 1250 Location: Someplace sharp.

josefine · Joined: 28 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Hi,
I might also haven got into one of these Western Union schemes, when e-mailing based on an ad (which I can not find anymore now) posted by:
e-mail address: mystudioforrent@yahoo.co.uk
Name: Clifford Davis
Flat: "The property is newly bought and refurbished one located on Jamestown Road, Camden Town, Camden, London, NW1 7BW consist of a large lounge,Good size double bedroom, fully fitted kitchen and living area, one reception, one bathroom... GPB 750pcm.
Could you follow-up on this please, thank you!
Regards

Ches.ter · Joined: 28 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

bigbird79 · Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

There are some very dodgy people on this site! Beware of a CLIFF ownerstudio@yahoo.co.uk, JOHN- dajohnreal@yahoo.co.uk
and JOHNATHON- joh_miller090@yahoo.com. Funny all their apartments have exactly the same photos...and same spelling mistakes in emails!

They go something like this-

Hello

Am really glad to hear back from you.If want to assure you that if you get the flat
you will enjoy it.It is situated at ................Close to tube and all other
amenities.Flat consists of Kingsize double bed,Plasma Digital TV, Clean & Nice
bathroom with shower & toilet fully tiled,Wood floors
throughout,Fully Fitted kitchen with all gadget,washing machine, Lots & lots of
storage,Full Central heating,Airconditioner,Broadband/Wireless
Internet,Freeview T.V. & Fridge in Room,Double door wardrobe with mirror.

But am sorry if this might inconvinence you,but am abiding by the policy.I have
dealt with alot of people who eventually waste my time..Before i can
come down to london.I will want to see proof via WESTERN UNION ,that you can afford
1 week payment + Refundable Deposit =£520.

Visit the nearest WESTERN UNION OFFICE around your place.

Pick up a Western Union Transfer form ,Below are the details you will need to fill
the form

(Senders name = ..............Next of Kin..................)
(Receivers name=.............Your name..................)
(Receivers address=..........Address of the studio flat............)

I hope you know that Western Union will collect charges for transaction.

Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union transaction receipt as an evidence that you
can pay for the studio flat.Then i will fix a date to meet with
you in london .

After my arrival in london,we shall go to WESTERN UNION OFFICE close to my studio
flat & you pick up your money you transfer via WESTERN
UNION.

I will then take you to the studio flat for proper viewing,if you are interested in
it,then we definitely sign the rental agreement/contract form.If you
dont like the studio flat, i will pay you back the western union charges immediately
before leaving the studio flat.

Kindly let me know if you are still interested in the studio flat because i have
alot of people who are interested as well.

Regards

Miller

nelly_1504 · Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

When I was advertising a room I had available in my flat, I got this response, which seems like a mojor scam to me -

Hello,
Good day to you. My name is Lisa Hasa,am female film actress from South Africa,i am coming to UK to act a film so that is why i respond to your advertisement because i will be in need of your room for 1 year or more than and if the room is not available to that it is okay juts let me know how many months you are willing to rent the room for.I want to know if the room is still available or not.Could you please get back to me if it is still available with the total cost including all utilities per month with the deposit price if reqired.i will want you to get back to me fast to confirm that you got my email.This email is my private email so you can contact me at littlelisa247@yahoo.no
I will await your swift response as soon as possible.Waiting to hear from Back as soon as possible
Thanks,
Lisa

2 weeks later, I then got another email - exactly the same, word for word, except for the name of the person.

I also got an email from a girl who said she was from London, Ontario, Canada, and she wanted to send me money in excess, and I must promise to send the rest of the money back to her travel agent - very odd!!!

Egal · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

I was looking for a flat in London and always got more or less the same emails as a reply, that they want me to prove that I have the necessary funds and make a transfer to Western Union. All these flats were too good to be true in terms of location and prize. I am really fed up of people trying to rip innocent people off so I want to post the emails and email addresses so you can take the ads off. THank you

piccininistefano@yahoo.com

He promised me the flat eventhough I had not even seen it and he did not even meet me!! This was for a flat in ALbany Street, Regents Park for 120 pw

> Thanks for the mail and am willing to give the flat to you,I
> would have
> love to receive bank statement,reference and bank slip as proof,but sorry i have
> been sent fraudulent one in the past by time wasters .I wasted fund coming from
> manchester just because of this flat but people don't have the money to pay
> for it they just want to see how beautiful it looks so i asked my colleague here
> in manchester, .she said for both of us to be on a safer side, that we can both
> do it this way that for you to show that you have the cash to pay for my rent
> and deposit and you will not disappoint me when i come down from manchester to
> sort the viewing, the best you can give me as a proof is to show that you have
> the cash in hand to pay.
> > Is that you should go to any western union outlet close to you, to send
> one month rent of 480 +refundable deposit 480pounds in your name to your
> partner's name in your present address or you tell your partner to send the
> money to you...Scan and send
> the transfer receipt via email to me for
> confirmation on the western union customer care line if the money is available
> for any of you to pick up. when i come around to sort things with you,we will
> both go and pick up the money together then you pay me up.moreover, you are not
> sending the money to me, which i can do to person and i can never accept it. You
> are in custody of your money all i just needed to see is that you truly have the
> cash to pay me when i come down.and i will refund the transfer charges back to
> you.If you can get the western union done today then we can meet for viewing
> tomorrow in the evening from 6pm and the keys to the flat will be given to
> you... the money will start counting from the day you intend to move in
> > waiting to read from you.
> > regard

I received the exact same email from a different email address. It was for a studio in Kentish TOwn, TOrriano Avenure for 130 pw and the address is aaronbenjaminson@yahoo.com

And then another one from elirtes@yahoo.co.uk. It was or a studio in Camden West Street for 600 pcm

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. She said that:
she gave me an option on what we can do which I will explain to you:

PROCEDURE...

1) Transfer the money (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.

3) Then, 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.

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.
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 before making my way down for proper viewing.

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.

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.

Elina

I hope you can take their ads off.

THank you

scammy scam · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 4

yeah this silly bint Elina tried it with me... I got exactly the same email.Told her where to go.

fulviom · Joined: 07 Aug 2008 Posts: 3

I would like to include "my" scammers in this topic.
these email exchange occurred this week so maybe this email address are still around!

I wish them to burn in hell!

------------------------------
from: simgillan@yahoo.com

Dear *****,
You would be able to view my property at any point in time However, I would need you to know that I live and work in South York and if I have to arrange a viewing for you, I would have to travel all the way from South York and I am sure you know that is quite a Journey for me I have made this journey several times which has eventually turned out to be a total waste of time for me. I had to travel to meet people who wants to view my property. Most of them either give some strange reasons for not being able to rent the property, some wants me to give them an offer for the to stay at the property for one month before paying, Some of them are DSS Tenants which I do not accept and they would not tell me they are not DSS until after the viewing (I don't accept DSS). Most of them would not even turn out for the viewing and I am sure you know how irritating this can be. This has been an experience that I have been going through with Tenants over the years that I have been renting out my property.
You would need to Locate a Western Union Outlet anywhere close to you. You would have to Send the Security Deposit and 1Month Rent to your Family Member, Friend Or Partner (NOT ME) Then get back to me with the Western Union Receipt which I would run for a confirmation that the transaction really occurred and after the Confirmation I can arrange a viewing for you after I have confirmed the transaction was really made and you have the Money to rent my Property, Your Partner or who you might have sent the money to can go back to Western Union to pick your money either on the day of the viewing or after the day of the viewing.
You need to understand that I have not asked you to make a Security Deposit Payment before viewing and I have not asked you to Pay the Rent before the viewing. You only need to show me that you are Capable of renting my property and that you are not a DSS Tenant. The Western Union Charges would be refunded to you or deducted from the cost of the Property depending on our agreement.
Hope to hear from you asap
Simon
07024088162
--------------------------
from: terrymanfield@gmail.com

Hello ******,
My Property is fully furnished but i can move out the furnitures for you in case you have your own furnitures to move in but i will like you to
do a thing. I guess you live together in Uk here, I guess you will
understand this. It's in the policy my Lawyer has told me and i wish
to abide by it. I won't get any money from you now. So you will do a
thing to make me believe you really need the Property.

You will go to the nearest WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER around
you, Send to someone you trust or someone you trust send to you the
sum of 1,100pounds at western union(500 Pounds for house rent and 600
pounds for security deposit ). The money is still within you. I am not
ready to get money from you as i have said. All I need to see is the
western union money transfer copy of receipt giving to you. Scan the
western union receipt and send it as an attachment to my email just
for me to view it and be sure you are ready to get the Property.
after viewing the Property, and if you really like it, You can go
together to the western union location agent or bank around You to
get the 1,100pounds back and we can reach an agreement on how you will
move into the Property. I will pay back to you the charges you will
be using in sending the money at western union. If you dont
understand, Here is an examples of how to do it....

SENDERS NAME....................YOUR NAME

RECEIVER' NAME...................THE PERSON YOU SEND TO .

AMOUNT SENT.....................1,100 POUNDS.

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 Property and you can pick
up your money after you have viewed the flat,Get back to me.

------------------
from: mikkyalone11@gmail.com

Hello,

Thanks for the email and nice to read from you,i can assure you of the viewing but i will like to discuss some thing with you, as you know am in Liverpool currently and before i can come down to Brighton for the viewing i will like to see a proof of your financial capacity and to know how serious you are in need of the property because i have been fooled so many times and i will not let that to happen to me again, Been fooled by several tenant telling me to come from Liverpool to Brighton to show them my property but when i got there for the viewing they will never show up and when i called there phone they will keep on banging the phone on me so it has been a very sad and disappointing occasion for me and i waste alot of money also for transport when coming for the viewing, so i don't want that to happen to me anymore,that is why my solicitor advice me that any tenant that want me to come for a viewing or want me to reserve my property down for him/she will have to show me a proof of there seriousness in the property,well this is what you will have to do for me before i can come down for the viewing, If you have a partner or friend in UK,what you will have to do is to locate a western union money transfer around you and transfer the the security deposit plus one month rent to your partner's name or your friend's name,after you've made the transfer finish you will be given a receipt from the western union agent,you will have to scan and email me the receipt to make the confirmation from western union if you made any transaction from them or not, immediately i made the confirmation from them and i confirm that you have made the transfer through them then i will give you a call to tell you to go and pick your money back from western union when i have made the confirmation finish and let you know where we going to meet for the viewing, I will want you to read this and understand me better, just to let you know this am not asking you to send me any money before showing you my property but i just need a proof through western union receipt, I want you to know that there are so many people who have sent me fake bank statement and reference for a proof but it's all fake, and moreover i don't like interfering with other people's privacy so i will not like to see any reference from anywhere or bank statement, (am sorry for sounding rude) but as you know i need to tell you my feelings and what is pitching me.

Regarding the western union charges that you use to make the transfer will be refunded to you back on the viewing day so you don't have anything to loose when you make the transfer, if you made the transfer finish and i make the necessary confirmation i wanted to make i will tell you to go and pick up your money back and pay me in cash. even if you don't like the property when you viewing it i am going to return the western union charges back to you, and help you in locating a property that is better, But to tell you when you see my property you going to love it. Get back to me to know if your interest concerning what i said and the property.

Regard,
Mike.
---------------------------

so watch out!

F.

cfowles · Joined: 07 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

Exactly the same as before!! Moneygram Scam - offering a flat in manchester

email is alin.gina@yahoo.co.uk

Ciara_RoR · Joined: 07 Aug 2008 Posts: 1 Location: London

Our friend stumbled on 2 scams here. The ads have been taken down now.

One 1-bed flat was in Sloane Square for £250pw by deaf landlord from Vienna. Specifics in our blog.

The second one on Regent St, W1B 5SP.

BadgerButler · Joined: 10 Aug 2008 Posts: 2

Hey, thanks for the posts on this scam. I was nearly had, but seeing the discussions confirmed the suspicions that I had .

I found that poor English in the emails, no punctuation and an unwillingness to proffer a telephone number raised suspicions quite highly, as well as an insistance that went beyond reasonable to make the transfer and send the receipt.

I had done a search for the name of the person advertising, and saw that it also appeared on other sites similar to Gumtree and a property site in London. It was just to see if Patricia Ridge was online elsewhere either my mimiflat@live.com was elsewhere or if she had a history. She didn't, but she does now!

Mark

Teacles · Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 11

I was also scammed by nwhat looks like the same people but the flat was in Dublin. They still did the money colections in London. I am also usually sensilble but desperation makes you do stupid things! They are now using my ID to scam others. Louise Jane Millar. If anyone has been scammed using this name please post a reply so that I can contact you.

I reported this to the police but this was over a year and a half ago and nothing has been done. There have been 9 people contact me having been scammed using my ID. (And that's just those I know of) there were also 5 warrants out for my arrest in London. (The police don't seem to be communicating very well on this one) The IP address was traced back to Nigeria but the collections seem to all be in LOndon.

Anyone who has sent a form of ID (driver's license/ passport) to these people should contact the appropriate authority to have these cancelled. It is VERY impoortant to make the HOMe Office aware of this as it is likely they will use your ID too. Make sure you report to the police ASAP.

alanr · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 13

There are very few people who have the knowledge and skills to track down the scammers - even if it were possible to get the co-operation of the various Police Forces and all the ISP's along the route, you would have to follow the scammer to the Western Union Office and catch them red-handed trying to collect your money.

Even then, it would be difficult to prove an actual offence since the victim has willingly given the Transaction number and copies of their ID to the scammer.

Even though there are only a small group of people working this scam, they are operating in almost every city across the world and catching dozens of people every day - you do the maths!

I'm only surprised that the Inland Revenue haven't tracked these scammers down - they must owe an absolute fortune in tax on their earnings!

Teacles · Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 11

The problem is that now they've made some form of fake ID to pick up the money. This is far more of a concern to me than anything else. yeh it's a shitter loosing money but I'd put it down to life experience. It's not mistake I'd make again! It's the fake ID thing that's bothering me.

The British Embassy also told me that I was going to have to watch bank accounts and keep a record for the next few years of when I'm in and out the country.

I've been trying to get WU to put an alert on my name just so no money can be collected with it but they're so unhelpful it's unreal. If the scammers can't get money under my name anymore they'll stop using it but WU are refusing to do it even though they have been involved in the police investigation!