[korax]

It hurts me to read that so many people have been let down and lost money through false landlords. I thought I would write a quick guide to avoid being conned out of any money.

1. Firstly look at the images of any replies you get to an advert looking for properties. Most of false ones are of hotels, look at the room, if it has a card on the bed or a phone by the side next to a phone book and the room looks clean then it is more than likely to be a hotel! Houses are usually not that clean and looked lived in so avoid anything that looks too good to be true.

2. Never EVER send any money via Western Union, Paypal or any other means without looking at the property first. For those of you who live overseas, come to London first and stay with a friend or in a hostel, then take a look at somewhere to live. Never part with anything before moving in, if you do then you may as well flush your money down the toilet.

3. Don't move in until you have signed some form of tennancy agreement that says

You recieved a reciept for your deposit
You can give one months notice before you leave

4. Ask the seller for a phone number so that you can at least speak to them about the properties, if they refuse then leave it alone.

5. Avoid anything that sounds too cheap to be real. Look around at similair ads, if the price seems too low for something good then chances are there maybe something wrong.

6. Visit the property with a friend for a second opinion

[korax]

I had the same reply and same pictures from two different people. One advertising a room in Kensington, the other in Canary Wharf (using hotel pictures which were the same). The both claim to be on important family matters in Bristol and want to offload the property for a cheap rate.

Names are

tpaul075@googlemail.com
dennismorris57@googlemail.com

Please avoid using these two people!!!!!

[korax]

Same ad again same pictures, I'll keep adding the emails here

I have an apartment on 77 Station Rd, West Drayton, Middlesex, UB7 7ND, United Kingdom,Its an apartment with 2 Bed Room and a Living Room, Kitchen and Bathrooms Included
I am presently in Bristol taking care of somethings here and I am willing to rent out my Property.

The cost of my Property is
Security Deposit which would be refunded to you if nothing is damaged in my Property until you would be leaving which is 520 Pounds and the House Rent is 500 pounds/Month and all bills is included.
I have attached pictures of the Room and Living room for you.
I hope you would get back to be asap so that we can finalize this.

Best Regards,
Francis.

[korax]

francisharrison@googlemail.com

[geraser]

Hey to everyone,
I just though to add my posting to keep the thread alive and provide another example of the scammer.
All the symptoms were obvious: below market price flat, tiny pics taken from someone else website, western union deposit

Here is more details.



from laura benson [lbenson20@gmail.com]
==
> Hello,
>
> You both look good and i'm glad to meet you and ready to know you
> more...i believe you should understand me better because people try to
> frame
> what they are not that why i've been curious.
>
> I discussed the issue with a colleague here and she advice me on what
> to
> do which i believe is the best option.what i will like you to do is that
> YOU
> SHOULD GO TO ANY WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER OUTLETS CLOSE TO YOU TO SEND
> THE RENT + REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT IN YOUR WIFE NAME TO YOUR NAME IN YOUR
> PRESENT
> ADDRESS.
>
> All i need is the scanned copy of the transfer receipt issued to you for
> confirmation if the money is real there for you to pick up for me after we
> have sorted all things out on thursday....hope to read back from you soon.
>
> Regards,Laura.



Hello,

I will possibly come down if i see how interested you are....some people have really disappoint me and i will not like such to happen to me again...we book an appointment to sort things out and they do not turn up while i come down from the seminar and that look frustrating.

Meanwhile i lately get to know that they do not tun up because they have no money available to pay after things as been sorted out.so i will not be disappointed when i come down....when will it be ok for you to do that.hope to read back from you soon.

Regards,Laura.

Hello,

Thanks for your reply....the rent per month include bills in 650pounds and the 400pounds is refundable when our contract is end.I will like a contract of least 6month.did you get the picture?..more so when will you be needing this flat? because i will be travelling to france after my seminar in manchester....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.

Meanwhile, the issue is that i have been having problems with time wasters in regards of keeping to time and appointment to sort out things...after all there promises to meet up for me to show them around and sort out things,they will not show up...and this is really time wasting because i am presently in Manchester on a seminar,which am unable to go along with my phone because i'm busy,but have my Laptop here to reply to emails.

However,i am also discussing with my Colleague here as regards idea on what i can do about coming down to sort things out with you and not get me disappointed or you suggest on what to do so that we can arrange a meeting and the viewing of the flat.Thanks while i will be waiting read from you.

The neighborhood is safe and i guess you have heard much about this area before,so its safe, clean area.

How many of you will be in the flat?hope to read back from you soon.


Regards,
Laura.

[FunkyT]

Some more tips for staying Safe: http://www.gumtree.com/help/stay_safe