[splinterone]

Thegumtree HAS to have a MAIN PAGE WARNING about WESTERN UNION scams for people at accommodation..i nearly lost £1000 and i keep on getting contacted by these criminals as im still trying to find a place..please sort it out people..heres my last message i got!!

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

The only thing is that i need double assurance, because i want to avoid traveling from Birmingham to london in vain, i can afford my fare, but i can't afford to waste my time.

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

Also, receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you'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 £800 (1 month rent and security deposit) to your friend

Your name (as sender) to your Friend (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.

07588384529

[John_L]

I just encountered this scam this morning, from someone calling themselves "Dangoule Ganebniene". The email was as follows:

Hello,

Thanks for the email and nice to read from you,i can assure you of the viewing but i will like to discuss some thing with you, as you know am in Lithuania currently and before i can come down to London for the viewing i will like to see a proof of your financial capacity and to know how serious you are in need of the property because i have been fooled so many times and i will not let that to happen to me again, Been fooled by several tenant telling me to come from Lithuania to London to show them my property but when i got there for the viewing they will never show up and when i called there phone they will keep on banging the phone on me so it has been a very sad and disappointing occasion for me and i waste a lot of money also for transport when coming for the viewing, so i don't want that to happen to me anymore,that is why my solicitor advice me that any tenant that want me to come for a viewing or want me to reserve my property down for him/she will have to show me a proof of there seriousness in the property,well this is what you will have to do for me before i can come down for the viewing, You will pay 3 months rent cash (£1230) to any of your friend, family,after you've made the transfer finish you will be given a receipt from the western union agent,you will have to scan and email me the receipt to make the confirmation from western union if you made any transaction from them or not, immediately i made the confirmation from them and i confirm that you have made the transfer through them i must to meet for the viewing, I will want you to read this and understand me better, just to let you know this am not asking you to send me any money before showing you my property but i just need a proof through western union receipt, I want you to know that there are so many people who have sent me fake bank statement and reference for a proof but it's all fake, and moreover i don't like interfering with other people's privacy so i will not like to see any reference from anywhere or bank statement, (am sorry for sounding rude) but as you know i need to tell you my feelings and what is pitching me.
You can view the property next day after you prove the payment or when you have time.

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

Best Regards...

[Eve.aloha]

"Western Union will pay the receiver whenever the receiver shows proper identification, even if the receiver does not know the answer to the test question. "

BEWARE:

PROPER IDENTIFICATION = THE MONEY TRANSFER NUMBER

Western Union is a service used to send money from one person to another, it is commonly used when people lose their wallets and identification in other countries. In other words, if you lose your identification you cannot show a drivers license, passport, etc., to pick up funds; thus the money transfer number becomes your ID. So if you give the thief the money transfer number they can pick up the funds without ID. If ID is required they can simply use a fake ID.[/b]

[I_G]

Another one: alice.thomson322@gmail.co, property was Colmans Wharf : split level one bedroom warehouse conversion 640 pcm all inclusive!!

Beware!

[I_G]

Identifying the western union fraud: FYI,

1. This email was in reply to my initial expression of interest

Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #43283605: £160 pw 1 bedroom flat for rent in Colmans Wharf, Limehouse, E14


Hi,
The rent is 640 £ 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 available and that is the reason for 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(1280£).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 is 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 do you intend to move in? For how long do you want the contract to last? how many people will be living

in it and tell other things you think i have to know.
cheers

2. Subsequent Communication


Subject: Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #43283605: £160 pw 1 bedroom flat for rent in Colmans Wharf, Limehouse, E14


Hi,
I am working in a hospital in Italy and it is very hard for me to come in London. I can't take the risk to leave my new job for a long time and when I arrive in London to see that Ihave 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 to 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 1280 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 London and you will see the flat and maybe you will rent it. After that, we will go together to 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 1280 GBP from your name to your friend name and send the scanned receipt.I am asking you this to be sure that I will not come in London for nothing.I hope you will understand my situation.

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 Western Union. As soon as I have the confirmation from Western Union that the money are available on his name Iwill stop the transactions with the other customers

3. Another one: after I refused to wire money[/u]

Hi again,
Thanks for your answer.About the deal ,I m sorry because you feel like that about me.Now,if you were me
to rent something,would you take the risk to cheat people and had the police on your door in a few days?????I don't think so!!!I m in this position!!!!Liberty is more precious then everything in this world!!
I am a 50 year old man . I have been married to the same woman for 28 years and we have two grandsons who are successful in their own careers. We are all college educated. I didn't get to this stage in life by doing dumb things. I want to take this opportunity to assure you that there is nothing to be worried about this deal. I would never cheat on you or swindle you!! I have a reputation to protect and a good Christian and I do not want to be imprisoned. You have my word and good faith on the fact that I'll keep my end of the bargain. I have never lied and cheated anyone. I will not risk my career, my freedom and my future for anything in the world! I would rather close this deal with other person than to know that you'll be very stressed hoping that I am a honest person, Your peace of mind is a lot more important than this deal!!!I am not a scam artist, and the last thing I want to do is to rob you.
I am a very honest man in every aspect of my life and like to believe that we have a mutual trust.look I live by the rules ...money for me means nothing in life.
If you try to scam somebody in life, later on life will scam you back.
I promise, you won't be dissapointed. I am a man of my word.You can count on me.About our deal I assume we are 2 mature persons who want to make a fair deal.
I understand you are a little concerned of this situation but this is not the case...I don't sell my reputation even for 1 milion £.....
Thank you


BEWARE

[montyzuma]

western union or moneygram = scam with no exceptions that i have found to date

[helvic]

I have too just encountered a scam today. This individual wanted me to part with over £1000 for a ver beautiful studio flat in Ealing... which obviously isn't his at all!!! He claims to be from Lithuania. I have emailed him back telling him that I have passed everything on to the UK police & that they will trace him via his email / IP address.

Gumtree, please remove his/her advert - Ref: 43402404

These are the email communications I have received today from this lying, cheating big fat slimy slug:

1) Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #43402404: studio in Heathcroft, Ealing, W5

Hi,
My name is Dangoule and I have the flat for rent and I’m a private landlord.
The rent is 410£ per month including all bills electricity, water, gas,etc and the concil tax .You can rent for short time 1 month or long time as you need to stay even for 1 or 2 years. The payment in advance will be for 3 months(1230£) and you don't need pay the security deposit..In case you want it, let me know so we can arrange the transaction.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 and when you want move in ?
Get back to me

2) Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #43402404: studio in Heathcroft, Ealing, W5

Hello,
Thanks for the email and nice to read from you,it's ok the date i can come to show you the flat ,i can assure you of the viewing but i will like to discuss some thing with you, as you know am in Lithuania currently and before i can come down to London for the viewing i will like to see a proof of your financial capacity and to know how serious you are in need of the property because i have been fooled so many times and i will not let that to happen to me again, Been fooled by several tenant telling me to come from Lithuania to London to show them my property but when i got there for the viewing they will never show up and when i called there phone they will keep on banging the phone on me so it has been a very sad and disappointing occasion for me and i waste a lot of money also for transport when coming for the viewing, so i don't want that to happen to me anymore,that is why my solicitor advice me that any tenant that want me to come for a viewing or want me to reserve my property down for him/she will have to show me a proof of there seriousness in the property,well this is what you will have to do for me before i can come down for the viewing, You will pay 3 months rent cash (£1230) to any of your friend, family,after you've made the transfer finish you will be given a receipt from the MoneyGram agent,you will have to scan and email me the receipt to make the confirmation from MoneyGram if you made any transaction from them or not, immediately i made the confirmation from them and i confirm that you have made the transfer through them i must to meet for the viewing, I will want you to read this and understand me better, just to let you know this am not asking you to send me any money before showing you my property but i just need a proof through MoneyGram receipt, I want you to know that there are so many people who have sent me fake bank statement and reference for a proof but it's all fake, and moreover i don't like interfering with other people's privacy so i will not like to see any reference from anywhere or bank statement, (am sorry for sounding rude) but as you know i need to tell you my feelings and what is pitching me.I don't accept bank transfer.You can view the property next day after you prove the payment or when you have time to come.
You can find MoneyGram office in your city in any bank or here on the website:http://www.moneygram.com/eFindUs/findUs.do?countryCode=US&languageCode=en
Regarding the MoneyGram charges that you use to make the transfer will be refunded to you back on the viewing day so you don't have anything to loose when you make the transfer, if you made the transfer finish and i make the necessary confirmation i wanted to make i will tell you to go and pick up your money back and pay me in cash. even if you don't like the property when you viewing it i am going to return the MoneyGram charges back to you, and help you in locating a property that is better, But to tell you when you see my property you going to love it.
Get back to me to know if your interest concerning what i said and the property.
Best Regards...
Dangoule

3) Re: Your Gumtree.com ad #43402404: studio in Heathcroft, Ealing, W5

It's ok you can pay now 820 pounds.
You must find Agent Location MoneyGram Office in you city and must make the payment cash to your friend name , mother , sister , brother in Uk and you send me the paper scanned MoneyGram, attach e-mail, i check to MoneyGram office and after they told me you have the money available in account i stop the transactions with all the other customers and i keep the flat for you.I make the contract with you and after that we go together back from the MoneyGram Office and you pick up the money and pay me ,and i will give you back cash the MoneyGram transfer fee.
Thank you for your time !

I thought it was too good to be true. Be warned - there are real fraudsters out there just waiting to deceive you & take your money any which way they can!

[M/NZ of Pimlico]

[figofan]

Re: Reply to your ad: 2 bedrooms in Southlands Drive, Southfields, SW19‏
De: Dangoule Ganebniene (dango1ganeb@yahoo.com)

Hi,
My name is Dangoule and I have the flat for rent and I’m a private landlord.
The rent is 630£ per month including all bills electricity, water, gas,etc and the concil tax .You can rent for short time 1 month or long time as you need to stay even for 1 or 2 years. The payment in advance will be for 3 months(1890£) and you don't need pay the security deposit..In case you want it, let me know so we can arrange the transaction.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 and when you want move in ?
Get back to me

Lucky for me i did my research but it was a bit of common sense...
1.-for that price you are lucky if you get a double room in Southfields, forget about two rooms , brand new, all bills included...hehehe
2.-Nigerian /african name made me feel strange (nothing racial just typical of this scams). So i search the web and guess what...i found your previews posts confiming the scam.
3.-I try to look for the ad on gumtree (saw them yesterday) and they are gone...(thanks guntree)
Well lucky for me I did not fall for this one and did not loose almost 2000 pounds. be careful people...

[Mienaikage]

Re: Reply to your ad: studio in New King's Road, Fulham Broadway, SW6

Hi,
My name is Dangoule and I have the flat for rent and I’m a private landlord.
The rent is 410£ per month including all bills electricity, water, gas,etc and the concil tax .You can rent for short time 1 month or long time as you need to stay even for 1 or 2 years... The payment in advance will be for 3 months(1230£) and you don't need pay the security deposit..In case you want it, let me know so we can arrange the transaction.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 and when you want move in ?
Get back to me

Pretty much a copy paste job.

[montyzuma]

yes they work from standard templates

thats one of the ways you can catch them

get them off the template and the level of english plummets

or give them a ring on their 07 no. you can tell its not a standard ring ie its getting shifted abroad and as soon as you hear the nigerian accent

ring off this might cost you money use someone elses phone

[**Pika**]

I usually email them just for a laugh, here's one of my favourates so far...
She is a lady married to a priest and she's called either Owen McAndrew or Harry..... Nice! She also wants to know if I have a car, y'know how essential it is to know that about a tenant! It baffles me that people fall for this shit!

Thanks for your email response, i am so excited you are interested in my apartment which i am giving out for rent. Actually the apartment is still very much available for rent. I resided in the apartment with my Husband and our 2 years son,Before we relocated here in Nigeria due to my Husband new post as the leading Evangelist here with CHURCH OF GOD THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
The apartment is available for 500pounds per Month including the utilities, which i think is not too much, i just need someone with an open heart, love and clean to occupy the home and put all my worries off concerning the maintainance of the apartment . Since i am not residing there again. As i told you earlier in the apartment listing.

The accommodation comprises of 2 Bedrooms, Bathroom. Kitchen,Breakfast room,Bedroom, Bathroom and a separate WC..Facilities Internet connection,Electronics like satellite TV and which you have to pay for the subscription, a sony DVD player, air conditioning, alarm system ETC.

The kitchen is fully equipped with all necessary cooking utensils, refrigerator-freezer, four-hob and oven, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine.
Also the keys to the flat are right here with me, and the document. Which i can send to you after all necessary agreement has be accomplished.

Also i will like you to know that the rent charges is not really the issue , but your absolute maintenance of the apartment , because that is the only valuable property. So i wouldn't want an violation of my property if finally rented by you. I will like you to treat the apartment as your own okay.

INFORMATION BELOW IS NEEDED TO DELIVER THE KEYS AND DOCUMENTS
APPLICATION FORM.
1)Your Full Name
2)Your Full Address
3)How old are you?
4)Are you married?
5)How many people will be living in the home?
6)Do you have a pet?
7)Do you have a car?
8)Occupation?
9)Contact number
10)When are you willing to move in?
11)When are you willing to move out?
Pets are no problem.

I will be waiting for your mail so that we can to start to commence on how to the keys and document..
Best Regards.
God Bless You.
Pastor Harry