DON'T USE MONEYGRAM, SCAM!

baltuchka · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 3

Hi, there is an ad posted on the 13th of April about 1 bedroom falt near London Brigde, £550 all included. I contacted the guy, he says his name is Jim Z and he is working in Italy now in a hospital. Don't believe him, IT IS A SCAM. He is asking to transfer £1100 via Moneygram and then eventually he is " planning to come back" to show the flat.
He says he is in Italy, but we traced his IP address and he is based in
125 Shaftesbury Avenue in central London.
Please remove his ad.

montyzuma · Community Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 2202

theres a buton beside the ad to report it.

cheers

MrThacker · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: DON'T USE MONEYGRAM, SCAM!

montyzuma · Community Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 2202

me too

baltuchka · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 3

I am working in an online company which give me an opportunity to have access to some websites for the Database Search.

MrThacker · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:56 pm Post subject: Re: IP address

megsmegs37 · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

He is also using the name Dean S, and offered a one bedroom flat in Wandworth, Smugglers Way for £550 all inclusive. Through a series of e-mails he told me he works in a hospital in Milan, and wants me to wire £1100 through moneygram before he comes over to England to show me the flat.

When I asked for the address to have a look myself, he couldn't give it to me, but seemed desperate in his emails.

He was using the Yahoo email address

Andre26 · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

Hi
I want to tell you to not belive this guy.I wanted to rent flat on Bayswater for L550 p/m and he wanted to send him confirm from moneygram.I'm showing You copy his mail sended to me:Hi,
I work in a hospital 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 Italy.
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
1040 GBP and send me the scanned receipt. As soon as I see the
scanned receipt that you have made the payment, I will come in UK
and you will see the flat and maybe rent it. After that, we will go
together at the 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 1040 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.
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. As soon as I have the
confirmation from MoneyGram that the money are available on his
name I stop the transactions with all the other customers

it is 1st e-mail he send to me.Don't belive him on name Chris Adcock

tis_jane · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

Hi all,

My boyfriend and I figured we saw the most awesome flat deal in Clapham Junction posted last Saturday 19/4/08 & this is how it transpired... from the top down...

must say a massive thanks to this forum cause we knew what to expect, luck we kept our money because of you guys, so cheers!
======================================
we wrote:

What would a Western Union transfer tell you that a bank balance can not. Not only that you have not given me the address of the flat or any details about yourself (ie phone number). This is obviously a scam.

DO NOT CONTACT ME AGAIN!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 09:59:19 -0700
From: johcorley@yahoo.com
Subject: PROOF OF EVIDENCE: I NEVER ASKED YOU TO PAY ME BEFORE VIEWING
To:

Hello,
Really appreciate your words in assuring to pay me if you like the Flat. I
understand you quite okay. However,i do not want to stand on people's promise of paying me cash or cheque when we meet again because i have met with time wasters.I was discussing with my colleague about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not be coming down to London on a futile exercise and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union Transfer.

Here is the process;

Proceed to WESTERN UNION LOCATION. You can check nearest location from

www.westernunion.co.uk
Collect a TRANSFER FORM from the location.
Transfer from: YOUR NAME
Transfer to: YOUR SPOUSE OR ANY OF YOUR RELATIVE
And complete any additional information in the form.
Submit the form and pay the money at the location.
There after, Scan the RECEIPT collected from WESTERN UNION
It must clearly state the following
SENDER'S NAME
RECIEVER'S NAME
MTCN #

You can not be the SENDER and RECIEVER at the same time

Scan the receipt collect from the WESTERN UNION to me. Once you scan the receipt, i shall contact western union and confirm if truly the transaction as taken place. Thereafter, you shall collect your money back via the receiver.
I shall be coming over the next day after you might have Scan the receipt.

You will be charged minimal fee for transfering and i promise to pay the money back to you once we meet.

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.

REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE ONLY TRANSFER THE FUNDS TO YOUR RELATIVE AND NOT ME, PLEASE GET ME VERY CLEARLY, I NEVER ASKED YOU TO TRANSFER THE MONEY TO ME.

I only want to be sure that you have the money at your disposal and this is the only way i can be confused that you have the money at hand. INTENDING TENANTS HAVE DECEIVED ME ALOT.

You don't need any assistance than the way i have explained to you.

If truly you need the flat and you are willing and able to pay for the flat, then kindly proceed to western union location and complete the transaction.

Regards
==============================================
we wrote:
Hi,

Just letting you know that we are very serious about the flat. How did you want us to prove that we have enough for the deposit, is a bank statement, or a letter from employer good enough?

When is a good time for you to show us the flat? We are available at 7 or later any night this week. What is the address?

Cheers,
-.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:18:27 -0700
From: johcorley@yahoo.com
Subject: I AM READY TO COME AND SHOW YOU THE FLAT
To:

Hello
The flat is on both long and short term period.
Yes, the price is inclusive of all.
Thanks for the prompt reply yes the flat is still available you can come for viewing
anytime as i am free to show you the property anytime you want and more so i will need to know how serious you are in renting the house because i have been fooled alot by people who pretended to be serious at first. I have wasted alot of money on boarding train from Bradfod to come over here to show people the flat but not for them to show up, so i have contacted my colleague who has also gone through similar difficulities and she said that i should get to know how committed you are, if you have the funds for the security deposit and if you have it then he will be needing an evidence from you to show it. Hope this is understood by you.
Thanks
NOTE: Security deposit is an amount to show you are committed, willing and able to pay for the rent.

=======================================
we wrote:
Hi,

Sounds fantastic, it would just be me and my girlfriend in the flat, and we are both neat and friendly Smile

How long are you renting out the flat for?

Does the price include bills and taxes etc?

I'm available to view the flat on weekends (ie tomorrow) or any week night.

Cheers
-.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:36:18 -0700
From: johcorley@yahoo.com
Subject: Ilminster Gardens, Clapham Junction, SW11
To:

Hello, I so much appreciate the fact that you have interest in my flat.

ABOUT ME:
I am a professional as well but presently out of the city to Bradford. I would love to rent out my flat to a neat, friendly person and there are two separate rooms available. It is not flatshare However, my Flat is very comfortable fully furnished.

LOCATION:
Located on the ground floor of an attractive period property on the corner of a quiet residential street, this fantastic two bedroomed flat provides bright and well-proportioned living and entertaining space with period features and lots of character. The Flat is situated on the corner of Illminster Road, just moments from the bars, boutiques and specialist shops of Northcote Road. The green open spaces of Clapham Common are also within easy reach.

TRANSPORTATION:
Clapham Junction Station (British Rail) is moments away and provides direct routes to London Victoria and Waterloo International.
Underground...Clapham South is within 1.1 miles Zone 2, Northern line
Mainline station...Clapham Junction is within 0.3 miles (482 metres)
Coach station....London Victoria is within 2.2 miles (4 km)

FACILITIES:
Two bedrooms, 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 and bedding supplied. No agents, available to occupy now.

The Flat will be rented out for £540pcm utilities, security and bills all inclusive and 1month payment for the security deposit.

I await to read from you soon, so that we can arrange for the viewing of the properties if necessary.

Thanks
================================
we wrote:
Hi,

I'm writing in response to the flat that you advertised on gum tree for 135 pw at clapham junction. My girlfriend and I are a professional Australian couple, who work in IT, and are currently residing at in Clapham. We have been looking for a new place and the flat looks ideal.

I'm available to look at anytime this weekend or any night next week.

Feel free to give me a call on xxxxxxxxx or just drop me an email Smile

Cheers,
-.

ferrous · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

....and you're obviously Russian so very clever

BlueAngel2008 · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 4

DODGY
STUDIO FLAT IN BAYSWATER IS NON EXISTENT!

BlueAngel2008 · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 4

What can he/she do with a scanned receipt if u've transferred the money to ur mate?

Sanne · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 154

They can take that receipt to any Western Union office with a fake ID in your mate's name and pick up the money.

Merchix · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 1

The same has just happened to me. Very annoying, becasue the guy was pretty agressive in his e-mail doubting about my possibility of paying the rent and asking me to transfer money to one of my relatives and send him the receipt.

Please have a look: (this was his add: This superb two bedroomed apartment is decorated with a high quality finish (£1,000 pcm)

From: rereae okler (mulkin@hotmail.co.uk)
Sent: Tuesday, 06 May 2008 14:32:16

Hello,
Really appreciate your words in assuring to pay me if you like the Flat.
I understand you quite okay. However,i do not want to stand on people's promise of paying me cash or cheque when we meet again because i have met with time wasters.

I was discussing with my colleague about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not be coming down to London on a futile exercise and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union Transfer.

Here is the process;

Proceed to WESTERN UNION LOCATION. You can check nearest location from

www.westernunion.co.uk
Collect a TRANSFER FORM from the location.
Transfer from: YOUR NAME
Transfer to: YOUR SPOUSE OR ANY OF YOUR RELATIVE
And complete any additional information in the form.
Submit the form and pay the money at the location.
There after, Scan the RECEIPT collected from WESTERN UNION
It must clearly state the following
SENDER'S NAME
RECIEVER'S NAME
MTCN #

You can not be the SENDER and RECIEVER at the same time Scan the receipt collect from the WESTERN UNION to me. Once you scan the receipt, i shall call western union and confirm if truly the transaction as taken place. Thereafter, you shall collect your money
back via the receiver.
I shall be coming over the next day after you might have Scan the receipt.

You will be charged minimal fee for transfering and i promise to pay the money back to you once we meet.

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.

REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE ONLY TRANSFER THE FUNDS TO YOUR RELATIVE AND NOT ME, PLEASE GET ME VERY CLEARLY, I NEVER ASKED YOU TO TRANSFER THE
MONEY TO ME.

I only want to be sure that you have the money at your disposal and this is the only way i can be confused that you have the money at hand.
INTENDING TENANTS HAVE DECEIVED ME ALOT.

You don't need any assistance than the way i have explained to you.

If truly you need the flat and you are willing and able to pay for the flat, then kindly proceed to western union location and complete the
transaction.

Regards

gm330 · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 1

I cant believe it, almost the moment that I sent over the receipt to confirm that the transfer had been made I realised this was probably a scam, and then went to pick the money up this morning and hey presto, it had already been picked up. Did you guys get your money back?

The email address of my person was hill.mill55@googlemail.com.

I cant believe we were this stupid!

Has there been any action taken so far that we can get involved in?

itsmeme · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 38

No one ever gets their money back from these scams! Western union is untraceable which is why they use it.No action is ever taken either because usually the scammers are in Nigeria and police won't do anything.Most emails from these scammers contain the same thing *that they have to travel for viewing because they dont live in the area and are fed up with time wasters* lol Hope it wasn't too much money you lost

weeowen · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 1226 Location: Someplace sharp.

MissyT · Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 2

He is using the name "Mike Bordenn" and the e-mail "mountcarmel3@live.com" !

Stupid fucker... Confused

gums · Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 287

stay away from money gram and dont let these scammers win lets stand up to them and watch out for there scams and many they have beware..

aenima · Joined: 19 May 2008 Posts: 1

Hi, does anybody know these 2 here: laucol244@googlemail.com and dpalmer2006@gmail.com. I have been in touch with them and the have been asking about money gram proof and after I read this forum I really don't trust them now.......

gums · Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 287

stay away from them 2 scammers bad people..