[kretka]

Hey,
same thing happened to me, could you tell me more what exacly the police did? cheers

[overseas traveller]

hi everyone ,
i am in sydney australia and i also fell for holiday apartment scam using western union transfer we only lost 380.pound we saw ad through gumtree 300pndper week 2 bedroom apartment buckingham palace road
victoria london (www.mortgagelettings.com) not knowing london that well and the loverly glossy add with photos and everything we needed we went a head and booked for jan/feb 2009, contact name richard fernandez wanted money transfer by barclays or western union, we do not have barclays bank over here to transfer money,(after taking the time to phone barclays at on of there london branches i was told only facility over in australia was for there customers to withdrew money through westpac bank. so i transferred the money via western union, the money was picked up by richard fernandez and that night the website was of gumtree and we have been unable to contacy him since.

gave all our information to local police hoping they may contact uk police

have since ogt on to internet and he has a new we page www.exodusholidayapartment.com
so if any one can help with anyother details would love to hear from you
p.s least i know i am not the only on to be scamed

[kafka]

Another lovely Western Union scam - thought it was a bit too good to be true, and when I got "her" first e-mail, stating that "she" is currently in Manchester, I got suspicious. I'm just sick of all of this - why is it so damn hard to find a reasonably priced flat in this town without getting ripped off? Watch out for: Adeline Sawsurachai adesawflat@yahoo.co.uk

"Her" last e-mail:

Urgent response needed‏
From: Adeline Sawsurachai (adesawflat@yahoo.co.uk)
Sent: 27 August 2008 20:52:14
Reply-to: adesawflat@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Catherine,

Thanks for getting back to me. I really appreciate your response and let me use this medium to introduce myself, my name is Kamolthip (Adeline) Sawsurachai and my husband just traveled to the United States and i wish to rent out our newly bought lovely 1 Bed Flat as no one is living there now. Am a Student Graduate Of Taught from the Department of Psychology and currently in Manchester on a research course.

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 the end of a 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 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 has been signed.
Also, receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you have sign the lease agreement form.
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 and 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 gave me an option on what we can do since you have the funds at hand which will be explained below:

PROCEDURE...
1) Transfer at least the deposit plus the first months rent of 900 pounds (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 or mail me the transaction details.
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 so that i can reserve the Flat for you.
Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed. Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you and i am looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.
Does that sound reasonable? other months rent will be paid directly into my bank account.

NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS AN JUST EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE RENT PAY.
Note: Western union only serves as intermediary between us and what you will do is to scan the receipt to me as an evidence that you really have the money to pay at hand.
I am sorry for the lengthy mail, i only want to explain myself better.

Hoping to read from you soon and have a nice day.

Regards,
Adeline.

[Catstar18]

Yeah mine was today...thankfully I didnt pay anything as my boyfriend noticed it was a scam by googling her name and finding an email she sent me exactly the same as others on here. her name was lilian westorf but she also went by another which someone posted (it must be same person as exact same email) it was a non english name begining with K, sorry i cant be more specific.
But basically she asked me to pay upfront on western union and they said never do that. but even before that she was asking just that i pay it after signing contracts and when it goes through she'd give me the keys.. so dont just be weary of western union....they will try other stuff...just ask others what they think... and like gumtree says if things seem to be too good to be ttrue they usually are....

[Renegade]

Clues
1) Bad grammar
2) Different person signing the email compared with the senders address
3) Western Union


Hi
I am presently in Scotland,am attending a seminar which I am one of the facilitator. But i can make myself available to come to the city and meet up with you.you can pay for a month rent.you can also sen me your id and referencesor bank statemant via email.the flat is located at Darlaston Road,melton. Wimbledon .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, but couldn't rent the house due to one reason or the other.
I need to know that you have the money to pay so Before i can come down to London, make a deposit of £100 (a month rent rate council tax inclusive) by sending it in anybody's name i.e your (Dad,mum,siblings or friend) as the 'SENDER' then to yourself as the 'RECEIVER'.here in London
Procedure...
1) Go to the nearest WESTERN UNION AGENT LOCATION around your place.
2) Transfer the money (Senders name = Dad,Mum,Siblings or friend) to yourself (Receiver=Your name).
3) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union transaction receipt as a proof that you have the deposit fee.
4) Then,I come to London so we can meet.5)I will then take you to the flat for proper viewing,if you are interested in it,then we definitely sign the rental & agreement form but If you don't like the flat you can go pickup your money from western union and i will pay back the western union charges to you which is not up to 50 pounds.
Please
i hope to hear from you again soon
Regards
Greg
07024060587

[teewoods]

[Strangers]

Hi, I nearly fell for this scam. I replied for an ad in London which seemed to be too good to be true. The so called owner was willing to wait some months before I could take the house - and no deposit for the wait period. He said he was in Germany so as soon as he saw the receipt of the Western Union transfer, he would fly down and show me the house. I used this site to find where he was actually placed - and it turned out that he was in US and not in Germany!

http://www.formyip.com/ipcountry.php

You need to enter the IP address in the 'Recieved from' tag to get where the person is and then hit Submit.

Please be careful and make sure that your hard earned money is not spent on such scams.

[montyzuma]

AS SOON AS WESTERN UNION OR MONEYGRAM IS MENTIONED ITS A SCAM

[DianaWesternUnionScam]

Yesterday my brother's friend was scammed by a person named Diana Littlefield. He was looking for a room to rent and stumbled across a rather convincing ad on this website http://shareaccomodation.org

Here are excerpts of the emails which was sent by Diana to my brother.


Dear ********,
Its nice reading from you regarding the apartment,the apartment is in East Perth.It is an immaculately presented three bedroom modern luxurious apartment,it has 3 bathrooms as well and it is situated in the brand new fully secure Quattro Apartment complex on Hay Street. Featuring video security entrance, offsite undercover parking,storeroom, unique private glass enclosed master bedroom, huge balcony perfect for entertaining, entertainers kitchen with stainless steel appliances.

The apartment comes complete - fully furnished equipped with brand new quality furnishings incl. all linen and crockery etc.Each room has a big wardrobe,is spacious and also has internet connection.Its not too far from the University of western australia and other institutions as well.Centrally located with shops, transport, and Perth CBD only minutes away. CAT bus on your doorstep.I am using 1 of the rooms and want to rent out the remaining 2 rooms and hope thats fine with you and its understandable.

It is situated at 251/257 Hay Street,East Perth,6004,WA, Australia.The room is available for rent now and you have to act fast to retain it.The monthly rent for the room is $600.You have your own privacy to your room and without anybody interfering in what you do.It is a well furnished apartment with all taxes and utilities bills included in the rent.

In addition,you have to pay a refundable security deposit fee of $740 before you can move into the apartment in order to hold the place down for you and i will send you the Contract after you have made payment of the $740 security deposit fee.The deposit will be refunded to you at the expiration of your stay at my flat and its needed to be paid upfront so i can have a guarantee that you are viewing/moving into the place and i can tell other interested persons that it is already booked.I hope you understand.

About myself,i am a patient,understanding and friendly lady.I dont smoke nor
drink alcohol but if you smoke and drink,its ok with me as long as you keep the flat clean and not messy.I work as a Manager in a Jewellery and Accessories company and i dont have pets but i like pets.I am a down toearth lady,like to have fun with friends,go out to parties once in a while to unwind and most times when am not at work,i relax at home.

I am presently here in London,United Kingdom where i came to finish some things relating to my job and also sort out some things and i will be back in Australia within 3 weeks from now,am here with my Husband.Once you make the deposit today,i will then send the contract to you and thereafter,i will have my cousin who has the keys to the house to take you to the house and we can proceed.I am also emailing you the pictures of the apartment and hope you will like it.It is in a peaceful and cordial environment as well.Here is my details to send the deposit to through western union money transfer,to me here in London,Uk :

NAME: DIANA LITTLEFIELD

ADDRESS {in London,UK} : ROMFORD ESSEX, LONDON,RM3 7EE, UK

In addition,you can send the deposit through western union this way: USE
YOUR OWN NAME AS THE SENDER OF THE MONEY AND USE YOUR FRIEND OR ANY FAMILY MEMBER'S NAME WHO LIVES IN UNITED KINGDOM AS THE RECEIVER AND BY THIS WAY,I WONT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE MONEY,I WILL ONLY CALL WESTERN UNION AND CONFIRM IF THE MONEY IS THERE AND IF THEY SAY ITS THERE,I WILL THEN SEND YOU THE CONTRACT AND WE CAN PROCEED WITH THE ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENT...I AM NOT AFTER YOUR MONEY AND ONLY NEED THIS AS A GUARANTEE BEFORE YOU CAN VIEW/MOVE INTO THE APARTMENT AND I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THIS....

As soon as you have sent the deposit through western union in my details or in your own details,email me the western union money transfer information as follows:

1, Sender's full name and Address

2, Receiver's full name and address

3, Amount sent

4, Money Transfer Control Number {mtcn}

Also,once i confirm the payment,i will forward you the contract so you can
read and sign and thereafter,i will make arrangement with my Cousin who will
take you to the apartment and show you round and once you are ready to movein,we will sort out every remaining arrangements and he will also hand over thekeys to you.I am not after your money,so let your mind be at rest. God bless you as i wait to read from you soon with the western union money transfer details so i can receive/confirm the money,send you the contract and we can finalise the remaining arrangements.Also,i have little speech problem,ama stammerer but i still get to communicate well face to face,my contact phone number over here in London is: +447031950588 and if you call,my husband Fred will pick the phone and speak with you.Take care.Waiting to read from you soon today.Contact me further on my direct email address: dianasoul2@hotmail.com .

Diana Littlefield.

Few things to point out :

Upon further inquiry by calling her husband Fred's phone. The husband answered "Hello, who are you?This is Diana's Husband". The voice accent was not typical of an english person but middle eastern.

Frequent pestering by email to ensure the Western Union funds transfer has been transferred.

Upon requesting pictures of the apartment, small sized very low-res images were given. Also in her email contained

From: dianasoul1@hotmail.com
To: dianasoul2@hotmail.com
Subject: FW: The Apartment Photos
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2008 19:17:21 -0400

which obviously meant she has sent the same email to potential victims back in August.

Upon payment, a contract is given. however the signature of Diana did not contain the word Diana or Littlefield and it was low-res.


STAY AWAY FROM EMAILS COMING FROM DIANA. Her alias emails are dianasoul@hotmail.com, dianasoul1@hotmail.com dianasoul2@hotmail.com.

[/u][/list][/b]

[DianaWesternUnionScam]

PLEASE REPORT THIS NUMBER : Name : Fred : +447031950588 -

[kitty_cat_breezer123]

Hi you all - same story over again - just wanted to report another idiot trying his luck with this whole scam deal...

From : Allsteveen@aol.com

The 1020GBP is not a deposit for me. I don't want any money from you before signing a contract. All you have to do, is to transfer the rent money for 2 months, that means 1,020 GBP, from your name and address to your best friend name and address in UK, using WesterUnion Service (the only one who can access the money is your friend and if you don't trust him you can transfer from his name and address to your name and address)This is not a way of paying me the rent because I don't have access to the money while is not on my name.As I've told you in my previous emails I have chosen this method because 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 job for couple of days and when I arrive in UK to find out that I came for nothing and it was only a bad joke, thinck about the money I'll spend to arrive there and I can't do this every time someone ask me to. I want to be 100% sure that you are intereted in renting the flat and perhaps we'll do the rent papers and return to Germany, that is why I need you to do this thing at WesterUnion.

[saurabhrao]

I just got contacted by the scammers too. Thankfully I was born a mistrusting bastard and didn't transfer any money to anyone. For all the money they hope to make, you'd think they would at least want to correct their fuckall grammar.

I called the cops to see if they wanted to catch these people in the act of trying to withdraw the funds.. was told to write to SCD6 Economic and Specialist Crime OCU, Wellington House, 67-73 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6BE.

@SammyMo - if you want your case officer to contact me, feel free to do so.. if the cops are interested I bet they can stake out a few WU offices.. or have WU alert them when an attempted withdrawal was being made. I'd like to see these idiots caught. My sympathies to you for having lost your money.. and I won't state the obvious

[adele.j]

milliehorgan@yahoo.co.uk

tried this scam on me but from there start there were too many things that didn't make sense and i didn't trust it from the start!

anyways this was her story ...

e-mail 1

Hi ,

Good to read from you again.

A lil about me : Am a 25years old fashion designer, very friendly and adventurous, I only Drink occasionaly but don't smoke, I am quiet, easy going, fun to be with and open minded.I like to keep the flat clean and tidy and would require the same too from any tenant.I am a christian by religion,my hobbies are Hiking, singing, watching soccer and going to the cinema's.

About the flat : The flat was once a family flat till my old parents acquired a new property in Spain and moved, so i have been left in charge of this flat. It is a 3 bedroom flat like i already told you, and nobody occupies the flat at the moment.

I live in Birmingham and only come around once in a while so as to keep the flat and surroundings clean. Reasons why we want to rent this place out is so that there will be a permanent occupant that will take care of the flat furnitures and keep the surroundings clean in my absence. We just need life in the flat.

At the moment we are looking to rent out just 2 of the rooms while the 3rd will be locked permanently, for my use whenever i come around.

Concerning viewing: I can only travel from Birmingham to attend to serious tenants that are ready to move in and can prove that they can pay for the first months rent and one months deposit, i don't do general viewing. I need to know that you are serious and have the money to pay before i can come down to London.

I have a tight working schedule caused by my upcoming fashion show week, which preparations are on for at the moment with my co-ordinators from New York. You can search the map for that area and what you see in the pictures are what the interior of the flat looks like.

If you feel comfortable with that let me know, if not don't bother to reply so that we won't waste eachothers time.

Thanks and warm regards,

e-mail 2

Hi,

Since you are ready to view and move in immediately,i will plan my time here and make sure am there before you arrive.

The only thing is that i need double assurance, because i want to avoid traveling from Birmingham to london without being sure of your immediate move-in, i can afford my fare, but i can't afford to waste my time.

My Lawyer will get a contract ready for you to sign if you like to take the room after viewing and the keys will be handed over to you immediately after contract has been signed.

Also, receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you'l have to sign the lease agreement form.

I was discussing with my Lawyer about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not just waste my time to london without acheiving my the aim and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union Money Transfer.

She said that Western Union Money Transfer can actually hold the money as an evidence and surety that her tenant will pay her at least for the first month and deposit. She gave me an option on what we can do since you have the funds at hand which will be explained below:

PROCEDURE:

1) Transfer the the amount £1200 (2 months rent and security deposit) to your Husband

Your name (as sender) to your Husband (as Receiver) in London or other parts of UK.

2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union Money Transfer transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction or mail me the transaction details. (The money is safe as it is only you that can withdraw since you need a national ID card or International passport)

3) Then, we will meet for viewing.

4) If you decide to take the room, we will go to any local Western Union Money Transfer office pick up the money and pay me. (You don't need to come with cash to view, after viewing we will go together, you will cancel the transfer and withdraw the money to pay me)

5) Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.

I am pretty sure that the transaction at Western Union Money Transfer office will require some charges, i will definitely refund the transaction charges back to you upon viewing and if you don't see what i sent as pictures of my flat to you, you are free to leave without paying me anything.

I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this condition, both of us can be sure we are not wasting our time.

I will only rely on your honesty that you have made the transaction so that i can reserve the flat for you.

Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed. Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you and i am looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.

NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH TO PAY ONCE YOU HAVE VIEWED.

I am sorry for the lengthy mail, i only want to explain myself better. I cant receive calls at work so its best you send me a text message.

Warm regards and have a nice day.

07588099395

Millie

[August82]

Sorry to say I feel very little sympathy with people falling victim for this. I am surprised that anyone with an IQ higher than a pheasant's would follow these weird procedures!

I have over the past few days been looking for a flat in Oxford and 100% of the responses I've had have been from scammers. Most of them sent from a Nigerian IP. How hard is it for Gumtree to block access for users from Western African IP's? Why would anyone in that part of the world want to advertise on this site anyway?! Sure, they can use an IP proxy, but i seriously think they are too stupid for that. As a hobby and to make my days at work go faster I have set up an email address under a fake name and started wasting the scammers time trying to get them to send me a funny picture of themselves for me to post on www.419eater.com

Below is a part of a very long goning email conversation with a _guy_ called Debbie Walters:

Debbie Walters to me:
Hello,
Thanks for your reply and am sorry for the late in reply, Actually I lived in the house with my family; my wife and My only daughter Before and now have packed because of the Relocation of my church and i'm now located in France, and now my Flat is still Available.

But can still come around if we both agree on a perfect date and time to meet. Now that I am here in France For missionary work. [...]

Me to Debbie Walters:
Hi,
Firstly I must say I'm glad to be dealing with a person close to God.
I am myself very active in a church. My church is a very small
independent church called Church Under New Testament (C.U.N.T),
located just south of a place in west yorkshire called Weebush. I used
to do missionary work in Africa and parts of Asia. It has now been
several years since I was in the missionary position as I had to stop
it after the terrible death of my wife, Syphi-Lisa, 4 years ago. She
was a housewife and took care of our now 8 year old son who
unfortunately has downs syndrome and requires constant attention.

What church are you attending?

My son, whose name is Spunk, is now going through a wonderful
treatment here in Oxford which is forcing us to move across the country. Due to the nature of the treatment (a lot of new researched techniques for
kids with learning disabilities such as caning, prozac and fiddling)
he is kept at a care home mondays to saturdays. He will stay with me
on sundays when we will play Halo and eat icecream.
[...]
Always wanted to see france and maybe one day me and my
Spunk will get the opportunity to get down and do the missionary with
you, your wife and daughter.
[...]
We do a lot of swinging at C.U.N.T. My little spunk always makes a mess as soon as I put my head into it! Mind you, he is a bit premature!
[...]
My little boy Spunk is very excited to get out of the hospital and stay with me every Sunday. I told him about your missionary work in France and he couldn't stop asking me questions about that great country. He asked me if it's true that French people don't flush the toilet after having a wee. I know it might sound like a weird question, but he hasn't stopped crying since he asked me. Bear in mind he is retarded and his crying has now made him blue in his face and I am very worried, so can you please answer that question.

Debbie Walter to me:
Hello,
Thanks for your reply concerning the rent, Money Gram is almost the same as Western Union. And concerning the question you asked, the people that we live together here in France are very clean people.....so i don't know if some people don't flush toilet after use.

John, you will really like the flat ok...and i will wait to read from you today with the money gram, so that we can make some progress.

Me to Debbie Walter:
[...]
A normal procedure when we rent a place is for the owner of the house to send us a picture of himself or herself holding up a sign saying "I love Spunk". I will then frame it and put on the wall in his bedroom so he can be reminded everyday that he lives in a house full of love. Remember, he is a bad case of retardation, but still one of God's children. Could you please provide me with this today so Spunk will let me go to send off the money gram.

Debbie Walter to me:

Hello,
Thanks for your reply, to make it easier the only picture's i have
here on my computer are my person photo's and also some that i snap
with my children.

Hope this will help.

Get back now.

(he sent me a bunch of photos of a fat american looking bloke with a golden retriever)

Me to Debbie Walter:

Thank you so much for the lovely photos!

I showed them to my son and he has some concerns:
1. He is scared of dogs after a golden retriever once tried to use him as a female dog for procreation when he was crawling around in a park in London.
2. You are a fairly big man which also scares the little retard.

I personally think you look like a very nice and trustworthy man of God, but I have to obey my retarded son in this and if you cannot provide me with the photo I originally asked for I will have to deposit the money back into my bank account and look elsewhere for a flat. I would hate doing that as I see a future of happiness in your flat.

Please let me know if you can assist me with this very simple query

Best
john


Debbie Walter to me:

Hello,
Thanks for your reply, no dog in the house ok, let me know


....the conversation continues. The full transcript will be available on 419eater.com if I eventually get that priceless picture. As you can all see this person is NOT an intelligent man. Even if I don't get the picture I still find satisfaction in wasting his time and making my day at work more enjoyable. I recommend everybody to do the same!

Ps. Can everybody who fell for this sort of scam please send me their credit card details? I promise I wont use them!

[rea.wilson@gmail.com]

THEY TRIED TO GET ME AND WASTED MY TIME AGAIN A FLAT THAT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE HALF PRICE AND BILLS ALL IN ETC. JUST CHECKED IT IS THE SAME PHONE NUMBER AND DETAILS IS SAME AS MILLIE. THANK GOD I CHECKED

ROB

[I got your email. Since you are ready to view, i will plan my time here and make sure am there before you arrive. Let's make it 5pm on thursday next week.

The only thing is that i need double assurance, because i want to avoid traveling from
Lancashire to london without being sure of your immediate move-in, i can afford my fare, but i can't afford to waste my time.

My Lawyer will get a contract ready for you to sign if you like to take the Flat after viewing and the keys will be handed over to you immediately after contract has been signed.

Also, receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you'l have to sign the lease
agreement form.

I was discussing with my Lawyer about the idea on how i will be so sure that i will not just
waste my time to london without acheiving my the aim and she advised that we can work out something via Western Union Money Transfer.

She gave me an option on what we can do since you have the funds at hand which will be
explained below:

PROCEDURE:

1) Transfer the the amount £800 (1 month rent and security deposit) to any of your family
members (husband, friend, dad, mum, siblings)

Your name (as sender) and any of the as receiver (as Receiver) in London or vice versa.

2) Scan & Send a copy of the Western Union Money Transfer transaction receipt as a proof of the transaction or mail me the transaction details. (The money is safe as it is only you that can withdraw since you need a national ID card or International passport)

3) Then, we will meet for viewing.

4) If you decide to take the room, we will go to any local Western Union office pick up the
money and pay me. (You don't need to come with cash to view, after viewing we will go
together, you will withdraw and pay me)

5) Keys will be handed over to you after signing the contracts.

I am pretty sure that the transaction at Western Union office will require some charges, i will definitely refund the transaction charges back to you upon viewing and if you don't see what i sent as pictures of my house to you, you are free to leave without paying me anything.

I only want to be sure that i am not going to waste my time this time around and i think with this condition, both of us can be sure we are not wasting our time.

I will only rely on your honesty that you have made the transaction so that i can reserve the
Flat for you.

Let me know if you are okay with this so that we can proceed. Thanks so much while i will be waiting to read from you and i am looking forward to meet you and be great friends eventually.

NB: PLS DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT TO ME OR IN MY NAME, WHAT I NEED IS JUST AN EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASH TO PAY ONCE YOU HAVE VIEWED.

I am sorry for the lengthy mail, i only want to explain myself better.
Warm regards and have a nice day.

07588099395

[aisak]

Just tried to arrange a viewing of the studio in Silbury Avenue, Collier's Wood, CR4.After contacting the landlord I recived:

from:fdgergbre@gmail.com

e mail no 1:
Hi,
Thanks for your response and Enquiry, the flat is still available to rent.
My name is Daniela and i am a private landlord.although i own the flat,i do not live in it because i am actually practicing medicine in Dubai.However,i will be willing to meet you,get to know you and show you round the flat so that you can see what you are renting.
The flat is a fully furnished.
- Toilet and Bathroom with Shower
- Kitchen with modern fittings
- Dish washer/Dryer
- Washing Machine
- Cable TV
- Wired Internet connection
- Street Parking space available
- Tube station five minutes
The price i am looking for is £500 per month including all bills.
Meanwhile, Below are the lease terms:
* An advance payment of the one month rent and 1 month deposit shall be paid.
* The Rent shall be paid on Monthly.
* If you will need to vacate the flat, notice shall be given a month prior to intended day of moving.

I hope not a problem and understand my english that because I non-English

N.B:
Will you be able to take good care of my Flat like your own?
Do you have the money to pay me if you like the Flat after viewing?
Waiting to read from you.

Daniela

e mail no 2:
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 Dubai.
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 Western Union for 2 months rent that means 1000 £ and send me the scanned receipt. As soon as I see the scanned receipt that you have made the payment, I will come in UK and you will see the flat and maybe rent it. After that, we will go together at the Western Union office and you will take the money back and pay me.So all you have to do is to find a Western Union office and wire 1000 £ 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.When you go to make the payment at western union the agent will ask you for what you make the payment,with what purpose because a large part of real estate agencies have announced western union not to make transaction for rent a flat because they have lost a lot of clients since the clients don't like to pay commission to agency.So we use western union to prove me that you have the money and in the future you will pay only the rent without the commission to agency,without charges,To avoid this because I think you don't want to pay more charges you must tell at western union agent that you send the money to one of your friend or some budy in your family because she need the money and western union is a fast method make the payment, because if you tell them that you make any prove for rent a flat they will advice you not to do this .(anyway I will give you the charges from western union back when you come in Uk).I will reserve the apartment to the first one that provides me have money available in WesternUnion account.
As soon as I have the confirmation from WesternUnion that the money are available on his name I stop the transactions with all the other customers.
You must understand correctly the situation you don't need send me any money,penny ,only prove that have the money until the day you want to see the apartment for keep this flat for you , this is my warranty.
I expect your decision about this if you want rent my flat because i have more people interested in rented apartment.
Thank you for your time !

Well I hope more we write about this less people will fall for it and hopefully they will be caught one day.

[french_pixie]

I have put wanted ads for a while and I get around 5 scams a day!!!!!

IF IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - IT PROBABLY IS NOT TRUE!!!

[Abedude]

Okay, here is how it works:
You make the transfer to a friend/relative using Western Union or similar, and send the scanned receipt to the so-called property owner. He then takes said receipt and knocks up fake I.D. using the details you provided (note - he doesn't have to worry about getting it exactly correct, it only has to look moderately convincing). Using fake I.D. along with the laser-printed receipt he withdraws your money and spends it. Simple.
Rule of thumb: do NOT part with any cash up front, ever. Use an accredited agency, view the interior of the property at least once before paying a holding deposit (for which you should get a proper receipt), and only part with the balance payment AT THE MOMENT YOU SIGN THE TENANCY AGREEMENT AND TAKE POSSESSION OF THE KEYS.
Don't get scammed.

[gruff/ben]

hi all

another day, another scam:

http://leeds.gumtree.com/leeds/00/37989500.html

"mrs coy" also wants the exact same western union deposit/transaction receipt for the chance to look around her wonderful (amazingly cheap) and no doubt quite imaginary property

be careful - the advert was reported, so maybe its blocked now

[agaromeo]

scammers emails:
golddarryl90@googlemail.com & katchesty00@gmail.com
and bush.mars@yahoo.com

it works like that:


Fraudsters are now using a variant Western Union scam to defraud victims. The discussion Forums of large international classified advertising sites are filled with complaints about this form of the Western Union fraud.

Most frequently targeting flat rental sites, the victim is asked to prove that they have access to sufficient funds to cover a period of rental by transferring the amount NOT TO THE SCAMMER BUT TO A FRIEND/RELATIVE. The scammer explains that this is perfectly safe as they have no access to the funds but only require a fax copy of the receipt to be assured that the renter can afford the rent. Victims are reassured because the transfer is to a relative or friend.

Unfortunately, the details on the receipt are sufficient to get a remote Western Union office to release the funds with only a (false) signature required! At one time it was thought that such low level of proof was only for sums below £500 but recently sums in excess of £1000 have been taken in this way.

Now that faxes are not as widespread as they once were, a variant now being used is simply for the fraudster to ask for information from the transaction. They normally ask for:

MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number)
Sender's name (and optionally address)
Recipient's name (and optionally address) (NOTE. This is often written as 'receivers name' and frequently misspelt as 'recievers'.)

The fraudster explains that this is only required to be able to go to their local Western Union office to check that the transaction is valid and has really taken place.

The fraudster then does go to his/her nearest Western Union anywhere in the world, not to check the transaction but in order to remove the money! The fraudster claims to be the recipient (and can prove it with an address,) quotes the MTCN and the amount. This is considered sufficient proof and the money is handed over with a (false) signature taken for the receipt!

Cases have been documented where the signature has been shown as completely unlike the real recipient and completely geographically distant from where the real recipient is, but Western Union have denied any responsibility for the loss.

To repeat the previous advice: "Never, never, never send money to someone you are not 110% sure of by Western Union or Moneygram!" but now we have to add "And even if it is a relative, NEVER let anyone else know that the transfer has even taken place!"

[Luonnotar]

SammyMo, you're not alone. My friend and I were scammed out of £250. Nowhere near as much as you, but it's still made things tight for me this month.
We called the police about it, and they've basically just said that Western Union have messed up. The funds were released in a different city (Manchester) to that specified on the transfer, which means Western Union have broken their agreement, so hopefully we should be able to get something back (touch wood), although the only reason we know this is because the police demanded the information (apparently it's against the data protection act for Western Union to discuss our transfer with us).

What annoys me most is that Western Union assured us that there was no way anyone else could get hold of the money, after being informed of exactly what was going to be involved. They obviously know about this scam, but didn't bother telling us before the transfer went ahead, and then they were rude and hung up on my friend.


I've been venting my anger by abusing the scammers.

[notoscam]

Hi all,

I have recently made an advert on gumtree in hope some people looking for a housemate would answer to me, and all I get at the moment is spam/scam and people asking me for deposits via western union...

I found out about some of them thanks to this post, so here is my contribution. The following emails are scams asking for money/pretending to be away and needing IDs and payments in advance.

modupe0409@gmail.com
dorinalecornu@yahoo.co.uk
dianasoul1@hotmail.com
dianasoul@hotmail.com
dianasoul1@hotmail.com
dianasoul2@hotmail.com

Don't give scans of your IDs and passport to anyone as they will re-use it as part of their scams.
Don't pay any money upfront without havng visited the flat.

Best of luck!

[DannyRapscallion]

Please be aware of this one. A luxury 2 bed flat in CAMDEN for £660 per month!!!! Seem to good to be true? Well just read the emails I received from him and what I sent to him....

HE SENDS-
Hello,

The flat is still available for rent.The rent is £660 per month (for the whole flat) including all bills and the council tax. I've moved to Berlin, Germany because I'm working in petrol research industry. You can rent the flat as long as you need to stay, even for 2 or 3 years. The first payment will be ensured for 2 months (£1320). If you still want it, let me know so we can arrange the transaction.

Thank you
Stephen Daldry

I REPLY-
Ok that sounds great. I will need to look at the flat and have a legally binding contract drawn up of course. I won't just send money to anyone without it being guaranteed/insured!

If we could organise this then I would certainly be willing to move in. Is it furnished or unfurnished?

HE SENDS-
Hello,

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.
For this reason I want to complete this deal in the safest way possible, for both.
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 1,320 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 1,320 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 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.

I look forward to hearing from you!

I REPLY-
That's fine I understand your point. I wanted to have a look at the gumtree advert again but it's been taken off so I can't even remember what this apartment looks like.

Could I not just send a copy of my account balance? This will prove that I have the required funds in order to rent the apartment!

HE SENDS-
Hello,

I will be sure that you have the money only if you use my metod ... I am sorry but I can't trust any other way.Before you do that I must advise you about it. I've just talked with my colleagues here and they told me more about this service. First of all, there will be some fees when you'll ensure the transfer, but I will support them - in fact I will deduct it from the price of the rent - I think is fair from my side because I have chosen this method. Second - the person who's beneficiary ( you ) can't be the sender because you can't pick up the money when we'll meet. And third - if they will ask you why you are sending the money tell them that you are sending them to a friend or relative and not for this transaction because they will ask you lower fees if you will tell them that the money are for friends or family.
I've provided this information because I don't know if you are familiar with this service and it is better to know about it. I am waiting for your quick reply with the meeting date.

P.S: I have attached some new pictures with this mail.


Unsurprisingly after the email he sent to me, he'd taken the advert off gumtree but claims it is still available. Probably to avert detection or something.

Anyhow, we all know that a luxury Camden apartment with 2 bedrooms would cost £660 per week, not per month so we can all assume that this guy needs either locking up in a prison, or some kinda mental institute!

[netsafer]

AGAROMEO - If you are going to quote content, at least credit the source: http://www.netcred.co.uk/security/new---the-western-union-wire-a-friend-fraud.html

It's only polite.

[adhauri]

Here they go again!

I just got saved because I googled the "person's" name. Also called this guy who called himself Fred under 0044 7024057838. He was not very impressed by the fact his name is all over the net. Could not report this to the police because I am not yet a victim.

JUST BE CAREFUL!

Their e-mail:

ear Adrian,
Its nice reading from you
regarding the flat.Yes,i have a flat in Kings Cross area.Each room has a desk,chair,small wardrobe,internet and other utilities are all included in the rent.It is a beautifully styled
and spacious three bedroomed
duplex apartment, located on the first and second
floors of this period
conversion and boasting gorgeous wood floor
throughout,eat-in kitchen and
terrace. The property further comprises lovely
reception room, kitchen with
integrated appliances, three spacious bedrooms and
3 bathrooms with mosaic
tiles. I am using 1 of the rooms and want to rent out
the remaining 2 rooms
and hope thats fine with you to accept.King's Cross Road is located within close proximity of the shops, bars and restaurants of Farringdon Road.Kings Cross station is the nearest tube station.

It is situated at
385, Kings Cross Road, Kings Cross, London, WC1X 8BP.The flat is available for rent now
and you have to act fast to retain
it.The
monthly rent for the room is
£300 for each room MONTHLY.You have your own
privacy to your room and without
anybody interfering in what you do.It is a
well
furnished flat with all
taxes and utilities bills included in the rent.

In addition,you have to
pay a refundable security deposit fee of £480 for
each room before you move
into the apartment and i will send you the Contract
after you have made
payment of the security deposit fee.The deposit will be
refunded to you at
the expiration of your stay at my flat and its needed to be
paid upfront so i
can have a guarantee that you are moving into the place and i
can tell other
interested persons that it is already booked.I hope
you
understand.

About myself,i am a patient,understanding and
friendly lady.I
dont smoke nor
drink alcohol but if you smoke and
drink,its ok with me as long as you keep the
flat clean and not messy.I work
as a Manager in a Jewellery and Accessories
company and i dont have pets but
i like pets.I am a down toearth lady,like to
have fun with friends,go out to
parties once in a while to unwind and most
times
when am not at work,i
relax at home.Also,send me your full names,your present
address and phone
number.

I am also emailing you the pictures of the flat and hope you
will like it.It
is in a peaceful and cordial environment as well.Here is my
details to send the
deposit to through western union money
transfer:

NAME: DIANA LITTLEFIELD

ADDRESS: 385, Kings Cross Road, Kings Cross, London, WC1X 8BP

In addition,you can send the
deposit through western union this way: USE
YOUR OWN NAME AS THE SENDER OF
THE MONEY AND USE
YOUR FRIEND OR ANY FAMILY
MEMBER'S NAME AS THE RECEIVER
AND BY THIS WAY,I WONT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE
MONEY,I WILL ONLY CALL WESTERN
UNION AND CONFIRM IF THE MONEY IS THERE AND IF
THEY SAY ITS THERE,I WILL THEN
SEND YOU THE CONTRACT AND WE CAN PROCEED WITH
THE
ADDITIONAL
ARRANGEMENT...I AM NOT AFTER YOUR MONEY AND ONLY NEED THIS AS A
GUARANTEE
BEFORE YOU CAN VIEW/MOVE INTO THE APARTMENT AND I HOPE YOU
UNDERSTAND
THIS....

As soon as you have sent the deposit through
western union in my details or
in your own details,email me the western union
money transfer information as
follows:

1, Sender's full name and
Address

2, Receiver's full name and address

3, Amount
sent

4, Money Transfer Control Number {mtcn}

Also,once i
confirm the payment,i will forward you the contract so you can
sign and
return to me and thereafter we can make arrangement
for when you will
come
around to view and move into the apartment and i will handover the keys
to
you.I am not after your money,so let your mind be at rest.God bless you as
i
wait to read from you soon with the western union money transfer details so
i
can confirm the money,send you the contract and we can finalise the
remaining
arrangements.Also,i have little speech problem,am a stammerer but i
still get
to
communicate well,my contact phone number is +447024057838 and
if you call,my
husband Fred will pick the phone and speak with you.Contact me
on my direct
email address: littlefield_diana@yahoo.com . littlefield_diana
at yahoo dot com .

Take care.

Diana Littlefield.