[vabsingh]

I have just about had enough of housing scams. They are so naive and so blatantly obvious, that it is a joke they even try. Reminds me of those days when my spam folder used to be filled with Nigerian million dollar dreams... LOL! Now my dreams of getting a nice flat to rent in London is destroyed by these scam artists (hopefully not Nigerian again!). And to think that only a couple of nights ago I saw a report of poor football kids in Africa being duped by con-men, now the attempt is to dupe rich university kids in England eh?

If any of these "great" scams artist are bothering to read this section - phuleez - Oh please leave the Gumtree domain alone for some genuine TRANSACTIONS (lol - got a mail from someone asking to the arrange transaction - of what, I ask, the lease deeds or money for your new rolex?!?!)

Anyways, here some pointers I have learnt that appears to be a good way to identify the scams (though honestly once you've seen the truth you do not know who to trust again).

1st> GYMS. Yeah right. The chances of me getting a pad in Elephant & Castle or even Hackney with a on site gym is highly unlikely. Especially as...

2nd> RENT. Yeah so you giving me a furnished flat in Whitechapel/Angel/Hammersmith for just £600 p.m. And that includes all the bills (including a £25/- montly Sky package) and a GYM. Guys this is not for real.

3rd> STEPDADS. This was funny. Stepdad shifted to West Africa working for a Flour Mill (Flour mill in West Africa?!?) left the flat in the scammers charge. Oh really? But some how he got a +234... number. +234!! At least give us your step dads real number. LOL! People this is as bad an uncle leaving someone $1 million in West Africa. Who was the uncle, Idi Amin?

4th> PAY NOW. Gosh people. I can understand you got a new spanky job in Leicester, gotta help a friend in Edinburgh or even that job in Germany that lets you fly back to show me the place. All seems likely, but why (and for the good of me, I cannot understand why!) do I have to make a transaction already. The fact that someone asks you to pay a months rent, security deposit or create a MoneyGram bullshit before you see the goods is a SCAM. People I know we buy a lot of things over the internet, especially on eBay and Amazon. Somehow I will not excuse you if you pay for a flat without seeing it. It just ain't for real!

5th> EMAIL. Another good way to spot a scam is the email address. There are a lot of cot75myt@live.com (and their types). When you find a address to be suspicious please be extra careful.

The list goes on and I'd be glad if people can share there own experiences or findings. Housing scam on Gumtree is a big and I hope the admins start taking notice. Till then I ask people to be vigilant, report scams - and do not pay for any flat you do not visit!

Safe property hunting...