[negotiator]

This are all Nigerian B*s*a*d*.
M*****F*c*e* Asylum Seekers.

[notfooled]

A "lady" contacted me today and wanted me to rent a room in her apartment in St.Kilda, Melbourne. She called herself Jane Louise Millar, and the emailadress she used was janelouiselove@yahoo.com

We emailed back and forth for a bit, and I did find it a bit strange that she wanted to "hold" the room for me untill the end of June...and when I asked her a few questions she didn't really respond to them. In the last email I received she asked about my full name, adress and so on, so that her lawyer could prepare a contract lease. She also mentioned that I could go to the DHL Office to pick up the keys for the apartment (I never said I wanted the room, I asked to inspect it when I arrive in Melbourne..) after I'd paid the deposit. Well, I didn't pay the deposit (of course), and I emailed her back saying that "I don't appreciate people trying to scam me and please do not contact me again."

Just wanted to warn yall! Don't let yourself be fooled!!!!

[miele81]

possible scam!!! Gumtree.com ad #38984842: studio in Liverpool Road, Angel, N1 !!

email address is : olivia72.hl@gmail.com>

Read below what "olivia" says!


Hi,
My name is Olivia and I have the flat for rent and I’m a private landlord.
The rent is 480£ per month including all bills and the council tax and the security deposite is 400£.You can rent for short time or long time as you need to stay even for 1 or 2 years. The first payment will be for 2 months(960£).In case you want it, let me know so we can arrange the transaction. About the security deposit i will give you back after you finish the contract.
Rental price is lower because i want to rent the apartment fast as possible.
Everything it's like new in the flat and the flat is fully furnished, newly refurbished and also benefits from wood flooring. You have internet connection, phone, washing machine with dryer,tube station only five minutes,private garden, cable TV and most important parking place.Please let me know what your intentions are....when you intend to move in?how long you want the contract to last for?how many people would be living in it and some other things you feel i should know.
Get back to me

[stevethecat]

[b]FRAUD!!!![/b]

Watch this email address [b]hl63.olivia@gmail.com [/b]

Greyhound Road, Fulham W6

Unbelievable price for a flat thats a scam!!

DONT BELIEVE IT!!!!

DO NOT TRANSFER MONEY THROUGH WESTERN UNION OR ANY OTHER OPTION THEY ASK!!!

[phlipe]

I found two ads here on gumtree who emailed me back with this:

1. We observed that Some tenants do not have the money to pay the rent and yet they keep disturbing the the landlord to arrange a viewing with their friend or relative .
2. Also some do not meet up with the appointments which has led to the dismissal of some landlords in office by there employees.
Therefore,effort has been made by the landlord association that a willing and serious tenants should be able to make transfer of the security deposit to a friends or relative name which a confirmation will be made on the transfer done to check if he or she is capable of paying the rent before arranging for a viewing or to retain the flat till your arrival and also stop other people from viewing the flat.. I'm not asking you to send or transfer the money to me, just get the transfer done to any of your family or friend in the UK ( London ). Like i said in one of my previous email, this is a procedure given to us by the Landlord Association due to past/bad experiences with the other landlords and We've been warmed not to take a bank statement or personal information from anyone, there is also a fine of 5000pounds if we don't go through the rules and regulations.. You are going to get the transfer done to a friend or family via MoneyGram Post Office, you can always locate a MoneyGram outlet at any post office nearer to you, when you get there, you just tell them you want to transfer money to a friend. You will be given a form to fill, when you are done filling the form, the agent will process the transaction and when he/she is done, you will be given a payment receipt and MoneyGram scan copy and that's what you going to scan to me and I'll forward it to my Lawyer for the verification. This will take her about an hour to verify from MoneyGram and immediately shes done, then we can proceed on the viewing of the flat and also signing the contract. Please note that I'll be refunding back the cost of transfer when you come for the viewing, hope you understand more better now Locate the nearest post office shop around you. 2.Pick up the form of transfer and fill in the details which needs to be filled and return back to the post master.Details needed on the form are {sender name;your name and address.}{receiver name and address} 3.Return back to the post master with the cash you are transfering to your partner or friend and wait for the receipt to be returned back to you. 4.Scan the receipt to me and give me a call so i can check it if its truly genuine and available in your friend's custody. 5.After it has been confirmed on the website,then we can proceed for the viewing and you can as well tell your friend or partner to pick up the money


These are their addresses:

fdgergbre@gmail.com
sloaneconoil@yahoo.com

Hopefully Gumtree admins will do something about these scams.

[s34n]

okay i just got called a mother f***er for learning a guy was a fake landlord..

pretty rude!

--------------------------------

Contact: harrisonmatt321@gmail.com

This is a modern, ground floor, two bedroom, two bathroom apartment. One queen bedroom with en suit shower, one twin bedroom with separate full bathroom. Full kitchen and dining/Living area. Full Laundry facilities. Secure parking with stairs to the unit. Large garden area, walled and secure for kids, terrace with 4 seater table.Close to shops, transport and cafes-restaurants etc.
Facilities in the Apartment
Dishwasher, Cleaning Service, Cooking Utensils, Tumble Dryer,Elevator, Kitchen, Linen Service, Microwave, Parking, Refrigerator,
Stereo, TV, Washing Machine.
.

Rent £600pcm Inc.bills
Deposit £700.
The rent includes water rates, gas, electricity and council tax. ...

However, concerning viewing the flat................... i had bad
experience with some future tenant..... It might interest you to know
that someone call me down to Bristol base on the fact that he want to
view my flat and make payment by cash but to my surprise after the
viewing he presented me with a post dated cheque which will clear at
the bank for at least five working days and it happen that i was there
on Friday you can imagine how i feel on that day as am on a very tight
schedule on that day i have to leave without letting out the flat
although he apologize to me but am just too busy to waist my time on
speculations a similar case happen to me recently.....................
to prevent such happening again i have to conclude that anybody that
want to view my flat which am sure that nobody will view it and will
not want to rent it will need to show me an evidence that he/she can
pay me by cash am sorry if am too strict but i will want you to show
me an evidence that you can pay me by cash.................. what i
will like you to do is very simple ..............Go to any Money gram
or Western union agent close to you and transfer the deposit to your
friends name or anybody you trust within uk as i don't want you to
send me any money before viewing then scan the receipt given to you at
Money gram or western union for me to see this is all the evidence i
need send it along with the date you want us to meet in Bristol for
the viewing of the flat remember am not asking you to send me money
mean while after the viewing and you are okay with the flat we will
sign the lease agreement then you pay me in cash while the subsequent
payment will be to my bank account ...
.
i hope to read from you as soon as possible...

Note:you must come with the receiver of the payment to the viewing
because immediately after the viewing ,you are to locate the nearest
western union in other to cash the money for me.you will then set up a
direct debit for the subsequent rent since am not based in Bristol.


+44-7077-087-424
Best Regards



things i noticed...

1. His english was absolutely appauling... I thought Matt Harrison was an english name...
2. Western union/money gram.... WHY? A reference is just fine...
3. +44 in front of mobile number, again, why?
4. hyphens in mobile numbers... we dont really do that here...
5. The price...
6. The style of the property from the pictures... looked a little old-english 1930's...
7. Sent replies at 4am in the morning...



hope this helps some people. its ANNOYING more than anything

[katesbeth]

.


I recieved this from a Mr Warren Davies, the dirty little scamster!



RE: Your Gumtree.com ad #38892314: 2 bedroom flat to rent in Wingate Square, ...‏

Sent: 15 May 2009 14:30:48
To: dawarrenvies@aol.com



Hi Warren,

I'm sure you understand that I can't send money to a complete stranger on only a promise. I'm very interested in the flat, however I will need to see it before I can consider transferring any sort of money.

Many thanks for your communications,

Katie


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: dawarrenvies@aol.com
Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 09:41:47 -0400
Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #38892314: 2 bedroom flat to rent in Wingate Square, ...


Hello,

In order for me to come to London and show you the flat and maybe sign the contract, I want to know that you have money available for 2 months (1180 GBP) because as I've told you in my previous email, I have a busy schedule and it's very hard for me to come in UK. I can't take the risk to leave my new job for couple of days and when I arrive in UK to find out that I came for nothing. I want to be 100% sure that when we'll meet, it might be a chance that we'll do the rent papers and return to Germany.
So here is what I want you to do: You'll have to arrange the payment from your best friend's name and address to your name and address in UK, using WesterUnion Service, for 2 months rent,that means 1,180 GBP and send me the scanned receipt. As soon as I see the scanned receipt as a proof that you've made the payment, I will fly to UK and you will see the flat and maybe rent it if you like. After that, we will go together at the WesterUnion office and you will take the money back and pay me.
All you have to do is to find a WesterUnion office, take a friend of yours, wire 1,180 GBP from your friend's name to your name and send me the scanned receipt. I am asking you this to be sure that I do not come in UK for nothing. Hope you can understand my situation.

P.S : I removed the add because I have plenty customers interested to rent the apartment. I will reserve the apartment to the first one that provides me the scanned paper from WesternUnion. As soon as I have the confirmation from WesterUnion that the money are available on your name, I'll cancel the transaction with the others.



.

[Farah Khan]

Hi...i have posted several ads as i am looking for a house to rent..........apart from 2..... every response i have had, has been a western union scam.....I just got another one today making a total of 9 now.

Anytime i get an email....saying I have a house available....my first reaction is to think...when are they going to start feeding me lines about relocating....bad experiences etc.

I have put a new ad saying that i am wary of scams....wont fall for it, so dont bother wasting time...and would you believe i have had no responses at all.

It makes me wonder....are these ad's being used in a genuine way???

I had a look on "Daily Info"/Oxford ....and they have flashing warning of scammers......maybe its an idea for gumtree to think about.
Its incredibly boring for me....replying to emails that lead to nothing but frustration...yet some people out there have fallen for it and lost money......there are so many out there....they must have a pretty good sucess rate...it just makes me sick.

[BarbaraGardner]

Another name to be aware of floriannedim@yahoo.co.uk. He/she tried to scam my daughter out of £500.

These people are the lowest of the low, I hope they get caught.

[letsbmates]

From: Ken Broket (kenbroket@googlemail.com)
Sent: Tue 5/26/09 5:58 AM

On 26/05/2009, Ken Broket <kenbroket@googlemail.com> wrote:

Hi again Sam,

Ok i will reserve the flat for you.Here is the address: Charlton Place, Angel,N1 8AJ
I have attached the pics so you make the perfect decision.
I hope you can deposit the money asap so we can meet,show you the flat,make the paperwork and give you the key.
I will look to read asap from you,

Regards!

We are currently located in Berlin,
Ken Brochet
Auguststrasse 52
10119 Berlin
Germany


Sam wrote:
Hi ken,
Sorry but as I mentioned in my previous e-mail I would like you to send me the link to your ad again in gumtree as I want to see it again first. I won't mind doing the moneygram thing as I am a serious tenant but before that:
1. I need the post code etc. for the studio
2. I want to have a look online pics which you have pasted online.

You might have had troubles before but then even I have to make sure that I like the place..So, as to not to waste your time I'll see the things online, make sure I like it and then transfer the money to my friend.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #39388899: Studio to rent in Charlton Place, Angel
From: kenbroket@googlemail.com

Hi again,

I work for SBG -Sales Business Germany GmbH and is very hard for me to come in UK. 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.Few days ago I was in UK to meet with a client of my flat but when I arrived I called him and no answer,I don`t want to happend me again.I don't want to ask you to send me any money in advance, I just want to see that you are a serious tenant. I will come only for a serious deal. If you don't want to rent it after you will inspect it, no problem, but I need to be sure that you will be there.
So i can be sure of that look how we can do: You make the payment from your name and address to your best friend name and address in UK using MoneyGram for 2 months rent that means 840 GBP and send me the scanned receipt so i can see if the money is available. 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 MoneyGram office and you will take the money back and pay me.So all you have to do is to find a MoneyGram office and wire 840 GBP from your name to your friend name and send the scanned receipt.I am asking you this to be sure that I do not come in UK for nothing. Hope you can understand my situations.Also i will give you the money for the transfer fee when we will meet.(that means 40-50gbp).P.S : As I told you,I have a lot of customers interested to rent the apartment. I will reserve the apartment to the first one that provides me the scanned paper from MoneyGram. I hope to read asap from you,

We are currently located in Berlin,
Ken Brochet
Auguststrasse 52
10119 Berlin
Germany





Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #39388899: Studio to rent in Charlton Place, Angel
From: kenbroket@googlemail.com


Hello,

First sorry for my late reply, My asking price is 320+100(including all taxes and bills) GBP per mounth and the first payment will be 2 months of rent GBP 840,because the minimum period is 2 months.The flat is very clean and i want to leave the flat to one person clean and responsible tenant.. For me is very hard to come in UK and if i will come i must be 100% sure that I will not come for nothing. As you can see in the photos everything it's new in the flat.I am working in Germany (Berlin) and I am here with my family ... as regards the viewing,i think we could fix a date i come in UK for the viewing and we reach an agreement.The property has a fully furnished kitchen,clean and well tidy sitting rooms,laundry room,and fully furnished with home utilities like:-electric shower, Lounge,Vacuum Cleaner,Toaster, Oven andmicrowave, dryer, iron, washing maching ascooker , refridgetor , dishwahser, powershower, heater, cable ready, tv set and dvd player,internet conection, equiped kitchen and so on.
I await your mail to know is you ar satisfy with the details of my flat give to you as well to know and arrrange for the viewing of the flat and arrange for the neccesary thing that is aslo needed. PS:No Deposit.
I wait your response.

We are currently located in Berlin,
Ken Broket
Auguststrasse 52
10119 Berlin
Germany

A TOTAL SCAM GUYS DON'T GO FOR THESE ONES NEVER..This guy duped me

[letsbmates]

Your Gumtree.com ad #39399912: One Spacious Furnished Bedroom Flat‏

From: Walter Padiani (padiani.walter10@ymail.com)

Thanks for your email and it is my gladness to hear from you.I am Walter Padiani,the owner of the Flat you are making inquiry of.Actually I resided in the Flat with my family,presently we moved away due to my transfer from my working place,my Flat is Located at 31 Rosary Gardens,South Kensington London, SW7 4NH, England , and presently my Flat is still available for rent for 400 GBP per month including the utilities like hydro,washer,gas,internet, council tax and one secured parking Space,it is fully furnished but we can get it unfurnished for you if you prefer that.Now, I went for a Crusade in the West Africa and i will like you to get in touch with my wife in the United states for more details & pictures of our flat as She is with the keys and the documents to the Flat.Please, i want you to note that i am a kind and honest person, also i spent a lot of money on my property that i want to give you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this Flat and want you to treat it as your own,I hope you understand that.I want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat when i eventually come to London to see our clean it is and will try to do that some day...Where are you located? let us know how soon you are willing to move in as we are deciding very soon on who to take our flat.Email my wife Melissa, on (melissa.padiani22@gmail.com) she will attend to you better.
Thanks for your interest.
Best Regards,
Walter Padiani

[gstar]

It is so ridiculous how many of these scammers are out there. I only just moved to London and was contacted by one of these scam artists by the name of [color=red]Vivian Le[/color] soon after.
Of course I didn't fall for it and she ended things pretty fast once I tell her that I am not falling for the scam. I've heard similar stories from my friend who was also looking for accommodation and we're totally over it.

Nowadays we send off something like this after we get any email replies:

We have come across MANY scam attempts involving Western Union/Money Gram. Please don't take it personally if this is a genuine deal but we are not willing to transfer any funds, to anyone, including ourselves. If you require any proof of funds we are happy to provide it via other means, but otherwise please don't waste our time.

Surprise surprise, we have not heard any replies since.

If there is a number on the ad, call/text it. If they are genuine they will be happy to arrange a viewing asap at convenient times for both of you.

If you write a paragraph like that upfront it saves a lot of effort, hope that helps.

[Ezequiel09]

Hi, my girlfriend almost got scammed out of 1000 by "Peak Cottage" <cottagepeak@yahoo.com>.

She received this email amongst others:

Hello Dear,
Glad to hear back from you i will like to as you some few questions before we can arrange for the viewingHow many of you are coming to live in my flat?
Can you take care of my flat as it is?
Can you come along with your identity when you coming for viewing?
How many months do you intend to rent and pay for?
Do you have references in London ?
1. it has been observed thats some tenants do not have the money to pay the rent and yet they keep disturbing the the landlord to arrange a viewing with their friend or relative .i hope you re not one of them .
2. Also some do not meet up with the viewing appointments which has led to the dismissal of some landlords in office by there employees.
Therefore,effort has been made by the landlord association that a willing and serious tenants should be able to make transfer of the security deposit to a friends or relative name which a confirmation will be made on the transfer done to check if he or she is capable of paying the rent before arranging for a viewing or to retain the flat till your arrival and also stop other people from viewing the flat.. I'm not asking you to send or transfer the money to me, just get the transfer done to any of your family or friend in the UK ( London ). Like i said in one of my previous email, this is a procedure given to us by the Landlord Association due to past/bad experiences with the other landlords and We've been warmed not to take a bank statement or personal information from anyone, there is also a fine of 5000pounds if we don't go through the rules and regulations.. You are going to get the transfer done to a friend or family via MoneyGram Post Office, you can always locate a MoneyGram outlet at any post office nearer to you, when you get there, you just tell them you want to transfer money to a friend. You will be given a form to fill, when you are done filling the form, the agent will process the transaction and when he/she is done, you will be given a payment receipt and MoneyGram scan copy and that's what you going to scan to me and I'll forward it to my Lawyer for the verification. This will take her about an hour to verify from MoneyGram and immediately shes done, then we can proceed on the viewing of the flat and also signing the contract. Please note that I'll be refunding back the cost of transfer when you come for the viewing, hope you understand more better.
Locate the nearest post office shop around you. 2.Pick up the form of transfer and fill in the details which needs to be filled and return back to the post master.Details needed on the form are {sender name;your name and address.}{receiver name and address} 3.Return back to the post master with the cash you are transfering to your partner or friend and wait for the receipt to be returned back to you. 4.Scan the receipt to me and give me a call so i can check it if its truly genuine and available in your friend's custody. 5.After it has been confirmed on the website,then we can proceed for the viewing and you can as well tell your friend or partner to pick up the moneyalso
07024097532


My gf is Spanish so did not think much of the bad English being used or grammatical errors, and when I came to visit her I did not think to check the emails for her. I went with her to the post office to transfer the money and we were really lucky that the first post office we went to did not know how moneygram works and the second one knew about the scam. This scam has put my gf off looking for somewhere else to live as she has had other replies back saying similar things!

[Ezequiel09]

Also watch out for emails from

NICOLE EDMOND.CALL 07024099945 "Gta Cottage" <gtacottage@yahoo.com>

olivia hl <olivia72.hl@gmail.com>

ecaterina gerson <ecaterina72.gerson@gmail.com>

[limedex]

I think this deal is too good to be true. And I have checked the phone number and it leads to a mobile phone in Nigeria. Its even posted in the internet as 419 SCAM (http://scamomatic.com/result.htm).

You may post any phone number or emails you suspect is a SCAM and they will check it immediately for you.

Well, you could view the history email of me with this guy called Alex who is willing to reduce his rental from 1,000 to 500 and keep asking for details which sounds a bit suspicious.

I am still waiting if they can let me view the apartment.
_____________________________________________________________
Hello,
The apartment has 2 bedroom so i am willing to rent the rooms out. there is parking space no fee on that, firstly i will like to know how long you want to stay in my apartment,because i'm not in Coventry now, as i'm in the SCOTLAND now,I just secured a new job here in SCOTLAND but i will be renting it out for a long time now as long as you want to stay, It cost 400POUNDS per room which include the utilities in the apartment. Public transport (trams and buses) are just a couple of minutes away furnished with TV,DVD,fridge,internet,chairs,waldrobe,reading table,AC,Heater,cooker.
The apartment is located in a very peaceful and cool environment, it is a 2 bedroom with a kitchen,toilet and bathroom and a living room,the whole flat cost 1000pounds all bills included, with a security deposit of 1000POUNDS which is REFUNDABLE at the end of your stay if nothing is damaged from my Square metres:65m.sq
LOCATION:Address: Hall Green Road , Courthouse Green, Coventry , CV6
this block of beautifully funished apartments boasts many enticing features..You can call me on my mobil line anytime.
+447024073963
MY TERMS AND CONDITION ARE:
1.I DO ALLOW PETS IN MY APARTMENT.
2.CLEANINGS AND TIDINESS IS IMPORTANT.
3.MAXIMUM OF 5 PEOPLE ALLOWED
So if you are still interested let me know asap to proceed on the next
step......feel free to ask any question.
Regards

Subject: Your Gumtree Coventry ad #39471363: apartment in coventry.
To: a.apartment22@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 9:15 PM



Hi
I am a post graduate student and my partner is a working professional.

We are making a trip to Coventry from xxxxxx June, may we make an appointment with you to view the property?

I can only start renting from 1st September 2009 onwards.

Thanks.

Dear Alex
It seems I could fullfill all your conditions and I am staying for long term until November 2010.

In fact, most of the furnished apartments (2 rooms) cost ~GBP550-600 in Coventry. I do have to admit your apt has lots more things eg DVD player, internet, TV. But infact, we dont really those as we have our own.
Perhaps GBP1000 pcm is too expensive. Does it include council tax as well?

Regards

Hello,
Thanks for your interest in my apartment.,yes all the things you ask for is there, i will send the keys to you by DHL .. but as i told you in my last mail that i am in SCOTLAND right now with my Family,Little bout me, am an American, with a wife and 2 kids, i just started my own Computer Engineering Business (NGO)...as i just got a new job here.., and the apartment is locked up presently,so there is no problem in leting the flat to you but And for you to agree with the terms and conditions, you need to also re-assure me that you will take good care of the apartent, you will have to make the REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT of 1000pounds as this will show that you are serious bout this but first you will have to provide the info below as i need them to prepare the Pre-contract and REFUNDABLE reservation fee form...,You can call me on my mobil line anytime.
+447024073963
1)your full name................
2)your present address....................
3)moving in and out to my apartment..................
4)Nationality.......................
5)your age and sex................
and your contact phone number.................
I hope you understand these message.

Hi Alex,
Thanks for your reply again. Do you mean you could reduce the rental to GBP500 a month?

Hello,
Thanks for your mail and yes it can be reduce to GBP500 and your deposit we be 1000pounds so get back to me with your information so that we can proceed...awaiting to read from you soonest.....

[bubllegugie]

Hey!
I saw an add for a flat in Marylebone, it is from a different email but it looks very much like yours. Do you think it might be a scam or genuine?

Thanks a milllion.

[quote="Batoul"]There is a spam about a flat in Marylbone ,email address anistongrant14@yahoo.com it is 100 pound per week , and it's a 1 bedroom flat newely furnished , i hope that gumtree one day can make some more effort and take action against those frauders , because there are a lot of people who can get conned by these stupid spamers .
Regards[/quote]

[bubllegugie]

Hey!
I can't believe I got exactly the same flat offered in London"The property has a fully furnished kitchen,clean and well tidy sitting rooms,laundry room,and fully furnished with home utilities like:-electric shower, Lounge,Vacuum Cleaner,Toaster, Oven andmicrowave, dryer, iron, washing maching ascooker , refridgetor , dishwahser, powershower, heater, cable ready, tv set and dvd player,internet conection, equiped kitchen and so on."....and as I am in a real need to move I got my hopes up....can't believe these people....bloody scum....

Guys thanks for posting stuff on here because so many people would have got scammed if you didn't....

[quote="emily_fang_713"]Hi,

I'm looking for a one bedroom flat in Dundee and I posted a wanted ad on gumtree. Then I got this email from a person called [b]Stanfield Zelick[/b], with the email [b]stanfieldzelick@googlemail.com[/b]

The content of his email is very similar to what is posted here already, saying he has a place fitting the description of my requests for 400GBP a month, all bills included. He even emailed me tiny pictures of the flat, which looked great! He even gave me a phone number and I called him once. He spoke very poor english and his emails are horrible grammatically as well. And when I called him he gave me a similiar story, saying that he is not in Dundee at the moment, that he is in Liverpool right now because his wife is very ill. I actually felt so sorry for him!

There are other details that fit the posts on this board. Because I will need a place for September, I was surprised when he said he could reserve the place for me for 6 months! I should've been suspicious! I also asked him if I can make a modification to his plan and write a cheque or use money order through my bank, and he completely ignored it and insists on using moneygram.

Anyway, here's what his emails read. I hope no one falls for this one again!



From: stanfield zelick [mailto:stanfieldzelick@googlemail.com]

Sent: Mon 2008/3/10 PM 11:49

Subject: Re: One Bedroom Flat

hello,
thanks for getting back to me on behave of your reqiured needs.am seriously in need of a serious and capable tenant to take a proper care of my property.the property has a fully furnished kitchen,clean and well tidy sitting rooms,laundry room,and fully furnished with home utilities like:-electric shower,Lounge,Vacuum Cleaner,Toaster,Oven and microwave,dryer,iron,washingmachine,gascooker,refridgetor,dishwahser,powershower,heater,cable ready,tv set and dvd player,easy access to internet,equiped kitchen and so on.
That flat is located on 26 Union St, Dundee, Angus, DD1 4BE, UK. the monthly rental fee is ￡400 (including bill,taxes,tv liecence,gas)and the security deposite is ￡300 which is refundable provided there is no damage occurance in my property while the pictures of the property is attached to these mail so that you we know what you are renting. all i want is a good security for my properties.
i await your mail to know is you ar satisfy with the details of my flat give
to you aswell to know and arrrange for the viewing of the flat and arrange
for the neccesary thing that is aslo needed.
thanks
Stanfield



From: stanfield zelick [mailto:stanfieldzelick@googlemail.com]

Sent: Thu 2008/3/13 PM 08:07

Subject: Re: One Bedroom Flat

hello i really appriciate your reply concerning your need. i would have love to see this as a proof but i have been fooled severally so hence my lawyer said for anybody to rent my property,The person must show commmitment bysimply sending the first month payment to anybody either relatives or friend in the UK(not me) by making yourself the payer and the person the reciever through moneygram or western union money transfer and scan the reciept to my mail,and after thisis done will confirm if truly you have money for pick up with them as soon as these is confirmed i will give you a call or mail you back so as the reciever can go pick it up back.With these he said he will be convienced enough that you are capable of taking care and renting my property.and that i am making a reservation for a serious tenant.
I really wish i can accept the letter as a proof but this is not going to convience him as he has the keys to the flat and dont waant to do anything behind him cos the last i did almost lead me to regrets.
Thanks
feel free to contact me on 07031964499 for any question you've got



Re: One Bedroom Flatstanfield zelick [stanfieldzelick@googlemail.com]

I only receive money after viewing and that is only you have the keys and sign the agreement and i am ready to come down for i want you to see what you are paying for.I just need proof that the agreed rent and deposit is available and i will meet up with you anytime ypu like viewing it.these is my suggestion for the safety and interest of the both of us because i don't want regret coming down and i can't tell you to pay for a property you've not viewed.You send the security deposit and a month rent to your friends,family,partner or anybody's details (NOT ME) in uk t money gram around you and scan the receipts for me on here to send to my lawyer .Immediately he confirms these i will happy come down and arrange for the view any time you want to view it because with these,i am convinced that you are capable of meeting my demands for i know you will like the property....After the view the receiver or you will go and collect the money from the money gram agent,sign the rental agreement form if possible or later and get the keys to the property before paying me in cash in the presence of my lawyer or pay me anytime since i am 100%assured that you are capable.
I believe you understand why it is done this way which is for the safety and security of the both of us..The transfer charges will be refund back to you on the spot of view or deducted from the first month rent you are paying me
in cash because i know and i can bet you will like the property.
Thanks and i really do appriciate you calling me personally on my cell phone.And my lawyers name is martin george and here is his mail if you will want to contact him martin1853@gmail.com

PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME FOR I ONLY NEED THIS AS PROOF[/quote]

[bubllegugie]

Hey!
oh my god.....I got the same thing about a 1bed flat in London. It is Henry Willson, and as he is in China he told me to email his wife Mary ...i can't believe i almost fell for it, it's probably cos i'm desperate to find somewhere to live....well.....
these people are unbelievable, seriously...how does anyone find somewhere to live if this is going on all the time?

anyway, thanks all of you for psting stuff here...it does help
[quote="tedblue"][quote="mossy84"][quote="xstephniix"]Hello,
Thanks for your reply and am sorry for the late in reply,
Actually I lived in the house with my family and now have packed
because of the Relocation of my jobwhich was now relocated in France,
my Flat is still Available. But can still squeeze out time to come
around if we both agree on a perfect date and time to meet.


I want a clean and loyal person for my flat and i am not
asking for an upfront payment until you see and love the flat to your
taste, but what i am requesting for is the assurance that you are
going to pay me and show me an evidence that you have the money to
pay at hand when i come around, because i have heard on several times
whereby some people said they are interested and after viewing and
like the flat and love to occupy. they

turn out to be a time waster and jobless, They will also tell me to
reduce the amount for them or will pay me later once they get a good
job. For now i need your uggestion,because i cant afford to waste my
time.

TYPE:
2 bedroom apartment



INTERNET:
Yes, BroadBand Access 20M unlimited ADSL, wire and wireless THE
APARTMENT COST: ( 500 GBP Per Month) Deposit of 120 GBP.


Utilities include: electricity, gas, cable, phone, internet wiffi,air
condition,wardrobe and so on and i will like you to get back to me
with the information below:

Maximum stay:
Flatmate Description
Personal info:
Household info:
Age:
Smoker:
Pet:

Room and apartment description

Features: Flat, Floor #, Parking available,
No parking cost, 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathrooms
Neighbourhood: N/A Home amenities: Alarm system, Cable
ready,Washer/Dryer,Dishwasher,
Microwave, Kitchen access,
Storage. House amenities: Furnished, Air conditioning, Private
entrance, Private bath, Phone jack, TV, Cable jack, Closet..

Hope you like it?Get back to me with your full name and full contact
detail to prepare the RENT APPLICATION FORM......
Regards......
Thanks

HE SAYS THE FLAT IS IN CAMBRIDGE 18 CRANWELL COURT AND HE USES THE NAME TERRY JONES


THIS IS A SCAM HE SCAMMED 520 OUT OF ME[/quote]

This guy scammed me and my friend today as well he got £250 out of us. He apparently still wants to meet me tomorrow to sort things out. obviously the police are involved and I do actually have a picture of him. Let me know if you get any where.[/quote]

The guy has been trying to scam me over the last couple of days. He was using Henrickwilson@yahoo.com. Exactly the same email but for a property in Brighton.

I was suspicious anyway as the photos he used did not match the address details when I checked on Google map.[/quote]

[bubllegugie]

[quote="letsbmates"]From: Ken Broket (kenbroket@googlemail.com)
Sent: Tue 5/26/09 5:58 AM

On 26/05/2009, Ken Broket <kenbroket@googlemail.com> wrote:

Hi again Sam,

Ok i will reserve the flat for you.Here is the address: Charlton Place, Angel,N1 8AJ
I have attached the pics so you make the perfect decision.
I hope you can deposit the money asap so we can meet,show you the flat,make the paperwork and give you the key.
I will look to read asap from you,

Regards!

We are currently located in Berlin,
Ken Brochet
Auguststrasse 52
10119 Berlin
Germany


Sam wrote:
Hi ken,
Sorry but as I mentioned in my previous e-mail I would like you to send me the link to your ad again in gumtree as I want to see it again first. I won't mind doing the moneygram thing as I am a serious tenant but before that:
1. I need the post code etc. for the studio
2. I want to have a look online pics which you have pasted online.

You might have had troubles before but then even I have to make sure that I like the place..So, as to not to waste your time I'll see the things online, make sure I like it and then transfer the money to my friend.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #39388899: Studio to rent in Charlton Place, Angel
From: kenbroket@googlemail.com

Hi again,

I work for SBG -Sales Business Germany GmbH and is very hard for me to come in UK. 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.Few days ago I was in UK to meet with a client of my flat but when I arrived I called him and no answer,I don`t want to happend me again.I don't want to ask you to send me any money in advance, I just want to see that you are a serious tenant. I will come only for a serious deal. If you don't want to rent it after you will inspect it, no problem, but I need to be sure that you will be there.
So i can be sure of that look how we can do: You make the payment from your name and address to your best friend name and address in UK using MoneyGram for 2 months rent that means 840 GBP and send me the scanned receipt so i can see if the money is available. 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 MoneyGram office and you will take the money back and pay me.So all you have to do is to find a MoneyGram office and wire 840 GBP from your name to your friend name and send the scanned receipt.I am asking you this to be sure that I do not come in UK for nothing. Hope you can understand my situations.Also i will give you the money for the transfer fee when we will meet.(that means 40-50gbp).P.S : As I told you,I have a lot of customers interested to rent the apartment. I will reserve the apartment to the first one that provides me the scanned paper from MoneyGram. I hope to read asap from you,

We are currently located in Berlin,
Ken Brochet
Auguststrasse 52
10119 Berlin
Germany





Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #39388899: Studio to rent in Charlton Place, Angel
From: kenbroket@googlemail.com


Hello,

First sorry for my late reply, My asking price is 320+100(including all taxes and bills) GBP per mounth and the first payment will be 2 months of rent GBP 840,because the minimum period is 2 months.The flat is very clean and i want to leave the flat to one person clean and responsible tenant.. For me is very hard to come in UK and if i will come i must be 100% sure that I will not come for nothing. As you can see in the photos everything it's new in the flat.I am working in Germany (Berlin) and I am here with my family ... as regards the viewing,i think we could fix a date i come in UK for the viewing and we reach an agreement.The property has a fully furnished kitchen,clean and well tidy sitting rooms,laundry room,and fully furnished with home utilities like:-electric shower, Lounge,Vacuum Cleaner,Toaster, Oven andmicrowave, dryer, iron, washing maching ascooker , refridgetor , dishwahser, powershower, heater, cable ready, tv set and dvd player,internet conection, equiped kitchen and so on.
I await your mail to know is you ar satisfy with the details of my flat give to you as well to know and arrrange for the viewing of the flat and arrange for the neccesary thing that is aslo needed. PS:No Deposit.
I wait your response.

We are currently located in Berlin,
Ken Broket
Auguststrasse 52
10119 Berlin
Germany

A TOTAL SCAM GUYS DON'T GO FOR THESE ONES NEVER..This guy duped me[/quote]

[bubllegugie]

I got the same thing but from James Merrills and the german address is exactly the same......scum that's what these people are....excuse my language.....
[quote="letsbmates"]From: Ken Broket (kenbroket@googlemail.com)
Sent: Tue 5/26/09 5:58 AM

On 26/05/2009, Ken Broket <kenbroket@googlemail.com> wrote:

Hi again Sam,

Ok i will reserve the flat for you.Here is the address: Charlton Place, Angel,N1 8AJ
I have attached the pics so you make the perfect decision.
I hope you can deposit the money asap so we can meet,show you the flat,make the paperwork and give you the key.
I will look to read asap from you,

Regards!

We are currently located in Berlin,
Ken Brochet
Auguststrasse 52
10119 Berlin
Germany


Sam wrote:
Hi ken,
Sorry but as I mentioned in my previous e-mail I would like you to send me the link to your ad again in gumtree as I want to see it again first. I won't mind doing the moneygram thing as I am a serious tenant but before that:
1. I need the post code etc. for the studio
2. I want to have a look online pics which you have pasted online.

You might have had troubles before but then even I have to make sure that I like the place..So, as to not to waste your time I'll see the things online, make sure I like it and then transfer the money to my friend.

[bubllegugie]

I've got exactly the same email, except that he is Henry Wilson and he is on crusade in China and you need to email his wife Mary....he seems to be everywhere....
just watch out...

[quote="letsbmates"]Your Gumtree.com ad #39399912: One Spacious Furnished Bedroom Flat‏

From: Walter Padiani (padiani.walter10@ymail.com)

Thanks for your email and it is my gladness to hear from you.I am Walter Padiani,the owner of the Flat you are making inquiry of.Actually I resided in the Flat with my family,presently we moved away due to my transfer from my working place,my Flat is Located at 31 Rosary Gardens,South Kensington London, SW7 4NH, England , and presently my Flat is still available for rent for 400 GBP per month including the utilities like hydro,washer,gas,internet, council tax and one secured parking Space,it is fully furnished but we can get it unfurnished for you if you prefer that.Now, I went for a Crusade in the West Africa and i will like you to get in touch with my wife in the United states for more details & pictures of our flat as She is with the keys and the documents to the Flat.Please, i want you to note that i am a kind and honest person, also i spent a lot of money on my property that i want to give you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this Flat and want you to treat it as your own,I hope you understand that.I want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat when i eventually come to London to see our clean it is and will try to do that some day...Where are you located? let us know how soon you are willing to move in as we are deciding very soon on who to take our flat.Email my wife Melissa, on (melissa.padiani22@gmail.com) she will attend to you better.
Thanks for your interest.
Best Regards,
Walter Padiani[/quote]

[trigoso]

Another history of SCAM in LONDON for trying to rent a place trough GUMTREE, only difference is this time they got us. We paid £800 trough Money Gram from South Africa. Must be honest it was our foult to believe of what sound to good to be true!.

This just happened on Monday 1st of June 09, this LE VIVIAN (whoever that is) even sent me a copy of her passport to prove that she was apparently saying the truth. So be aware of this &*&% and this other guy with poor english named Albert Jorg!.... what a waste of money!

Any ideas of how to stop this? or maybe someone has come across with these names?...

Hello Nubia,

How are you doing over there? Enclosed in this mail, you will find the tenancy
agreement duly prepared by my lawyer and so i want you to go through it carefully and then you'll get to study the terms and condition of living in my place.

If everything is okay for you, get back asap because we'll need to move on with the
second phase of the documentation and also how you're going to make the initial payment
upfront so that i can be sure and positive about your reservation. Security deposit and a
month rent payment has to be made to my lawyer as soon as possible and you have to sign the tenancy agreement form and send it back to me in other to sign my own part. He'll prefer Western Union Money Transfer so that i can collect the payment same day because his presently in London.And you can found any Western Union Money Transfer Outlet at the nearest post office beside you.

Here is the details as follow.
RECEIVERS NAME : Charles Ete.
ADDRESS : 35 Goodge Street, Fitzrovia
POST CODE : London W1T 2QF.
COUNTRY : United Kingdom.

I will be waiting to see your mail and the Western Union Money Transfer details.
NAME OF SENDER:?
ADDRESS OF SENDER:?
MTCN:?
AMOUNT:?

As soon as he confirm your payment my lawyer will issue you an acknowledgment receipt before your arrival and which serve as you've rent the room as your room to move in when you get to London.I have also attached my international passport photo page with this email because you will need to print it out and taken with the signed lease agreement contract when you are coming. Hoping to read from you soon.

See you soon in London,

Hope to read from you very soon.

Vivian.

Vivian Passport...jpg
Passport Cover..jpg

[montyzuma]

names are prob made up

scammer could be anywhere in the world

poss nigeria

as soon as they have the 10 digit mctn no they can lift the money from anywhere


your best bet is with western union

[claires]

All the replies I have had to my recent gumtree ad looking for accomodation in Edinburgh have been variations on this scam. All of them.

[newmember]

Few examples of scams which I got:(
Want to report them and help other people ma a mistake and trust these... creatures.

So:

Your Gumtree.com ad #39905231: £150 per week 1 bedroom flat to rent in Christchurch Avenue Brondesbury NW6
"Tom Benson" <tombenson2009@hotmail.com

Hi,
The rent is 600 £ per month including all bills and the concil tax. I moved in Italy because I got a new job. I work in a hospital and the flat is empty and that is the motive that I want to rent it. You can rent the flat as long as you need to stay even for 2 or 3 years. The first payment will be for 2 months(1200£).In case you want it, let me know so we can arrange the transaction. For me is very hard to come in London and if I will come i must be 100% sure that I will not come for nothing. As you can see in the photos everything it's new in the flat and the flat is fully furnished, newly refurbished and also benefits from wood flooring. You have internet connection, phone, washing machine with dryer, cable TV and most important parking place.Please let me know what your intentions are....when you intend to move in?how long you want the contract to last for?how many people would be living in it and some other things you feel i should know.
cheers

The same day I got the same text just the name changed:

Your Gumtree.com ad #39902629: £180 per week 1 bedroom flat to rent in Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, W4
"Dave Belstion" <dave.belstion@hotmail.com>Add sender to Contacts

Hi,
The rent is 720£ per month including all bills and the concil tax. I moved in Italy because I got a new job. I work in a hospital and the flat is empty and that is the motive that I want to rent it. You can rent the flat as long as you need to stay even for 2 or 3 years. The first payment will be for 2 months(1440£).In case you want it, let me know so we can arrange the transaction. For me is very hard to come in London and if I will come i must be 100% sure that I will not come for nothing. As you can see in the photos everything it's new in the flat and the flat is fully furnished, newly refurbished and also benefits from wood flooring. You have internet connection, phone, washing machine with dryer, cable TV and most important parking place.Please let me know what your intentions are....when you intend to move in?how long you want the contract to last for?how many people would be living in it and some other things you feel i should know.
cheers

Another ones:


Your Gumtree.com ad #39875982: A massive and immaculate fully furnished flat
"Kimberly Scott" <kimberscott60@yahoo.co.uk>

Hello,

I appreciate the fact that you have interest in my flat, I am a
professional but presently out of the city to Birmingham . I'll love to
rent out my flat to a neat, friendly person. Who ever rents the flat owns
it all. However, my Flat is very comfortable fully furnished. This is not
any council property or property on council estate. I am a private
landlord.

Spacious lounge, fully fitted large kitchen with washing machine,
fridge, freezer, microwave, etc. Gas central heating, telephone, Wi-Fi ,
TV points and internet facilities Garage, gardens front and rear with
barbque. Cooking utensils, bedding supplied .No agents, available to
occupy now.
We can arrange for viewing now, i will need to know how serious you
are in renting the flat because i have been fooled alot by people who
pretended to be serious at first. Once i know how committed you are, then
i will be coming over upon your reply to this email.

All bills inclusive. Bank statement is not needed as evidence of
willingness to renting flat. Once i receive the following, i will be
coming over for viewing;
(i)Reference letter from current landlord.
(ii)Western Union transaction to KNOWN PERSON (not me) just to run
identity check

Regards

Hello,

Please, clearly understand that i do not require payment to be made to view the flat, what i am asking for is proof that you are interested by way of monies available. I have been disturbed alot by prospective tenants by waisting time coming over all the way from bradford little did i know that they don't have the money for flat but they love the flat.. So i have been advised that if i ever see anyone interested in the flat, they should take a step further in confusing me that they have the money for the flat before i come over. So if interested, you will proceed to moneygram location (mostly found in post office) and transfer money to your relative within U.K (not me), you will email me with the following to proof to me that the transaction has taken place.
SENDER'S NAME .................
RECIEVER'S NAME.......................................
REFERENCE NUMBER........
AMOUNT SENT......(£800.00 security deposit inclusive)
Afterwards, I will confirm from moneygram. Once i am able to confirm, i will email you back almost immediately then i will be coming over to london same day. You will be charged minimal fee for transfering and i promise to pay the money back to you once we meet.. It makes no sense trying to confirm money already collected by the reciever, they will think i am insane. So the funds must be available as at the time i want to confirm. When we meet in person, we shall all go back to moneygram and collect the money and you will pay me if you like the flat but if not, you will go with your money.

I will get the contract ready for you to sign if you like to take the Flat after viewing and the keys will be handed over to you immediately after contract. Receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you have sign the lease agreement form.
I hope i've explained, i am not in any way telling you to pay me before viewing.

Regards


Your Gumtree.com ad #39826637: Modern, fully furnished 1 double bedroom flat
"Cathy Burcham" <cathyburcham30@googlemail.com>

Hi,


The rent is £800 per month and includes all the bills and the council tax. I am the owner of the flat and it's still available for rent. I need serious tenants who really need a place to live and can take good care of it. I will sign a tenancy agreement for minimum 1 month, up to 3 years, with possible extend afterwards. The flat has a fully fitted kitchen, clean and tidy rooms, fully furnished with home utilities like: Vacuum Cleaner, Toaster, microwave, dryer, iron, washing machine, refrigerator, dishwasher, power shower, heater, TV Licence, Internet connection active, and the most important, parking place. Everything is new in the flat because it was repainted and refurnished last year. I will require an advance payment for a month and a £500 refundable security deposit. I live in Glasgow now and I am renting the flat for the first time. Please reply ONLY if you need to rent the flat! Thank you!


Best Regards

I would like to meet you Wednesday afternoon, get to know you and show you the flat because this is the first time I am renting my flat and I am a little bit worried. The problem is that I've been disappointed twice after scheduling viewings, because the tenants couldn't pay the rent in advance and asked me to lower the rent. Please don't be offended! I am not doubting your capabilities to pay the rent, I only want to be sure I will not travel to London for nothing. I need an assurance that you are committed to rent my flat and not only to view it, that's why I want to set up a transaction trough Gumtree.
I am not asking you to pay the rent before you will see the flat and you will not be constrained to rent the flat if we start a transaction trough Gumtree, I only request a credit check trough Gumtree so I can be sure you have the funds available. I am sure you will love my flat if you will get to see it.


If we decide to proceed I will have to set up a transaction trough Gumtree Estate Agency. I need to know your full name, how many people will live in the flat, when do you want to move in and how long are you planning to stay. I will set up a transaction and you will receive a notification from Gumtree shortly after that, together with all the steps to follow.
Looking forward to hearing from you !


Best regards