[spoonycorr]

We cracked on to this quite quickly when it sounded too good to be true and thankfully we checked this forum. As you can see from my goading responses, we ensured that it was the same scam mentioned many times here (moneygram, western union transfer to a friend, show me receipt etc)

tip:

beware phoney broken English mixed with common terms like 'heaps of space' very tricky. Also beware of any one blithering on about 'time wasters'

The same terms cropped up on many other scam emails "i need to know you have funds" not being able to receive calls, asking a colleague for advice and manchester/birmingham/any other city than London and profession chosen at random.

SEE BELOW FOR FAMILIAR FLIGHTS OF FANTASY:



Silvia,

I think that sounds a great idea. I have spoken to my colleague, who suggests we meet you at the flat with the 1500 in cash, plus a securing fee of 500 to ensure we are the ones to get the flat. I believe that his suggestion is as ludicrous as yours and as such will not be transferring money to my 'partner', and sending you the receipt so that you can make a funky ID, pretend to be my 'partner' and fill your pockets with my pounds.

I should suggest caution on your part. Not everybody 'enquiring' about your flat is genuine and neither Silvia, are you.

Peter Sutcliffe



Thanks for the mail and this flat is located onQueens Gate, London, SW7 available for a long term lease,I would have love to receive bank statement,reference and bank slip as proof,but sorry i have been sent fraudulent one in the past by time wasters .I wasted fund coming from manchester just because of this flat but people don't have the money to pay for it they just want to see how beautiful it looks so i asked my colleague here in manchester, .she said for both of us to be on a safer side, that we can both do it this way that for you to show that you have the cash to pay for my rent and deposit and you will not disappoint me when i come down from manchester to sort the viewing, the best you can give me as a proof is to show that you have the cash in hand to pay.
Is that you should go to any money gram outlet close to you, to send one month rent of 750 +refundable deposit 750pounds in your name to your partner's name in your present address or you tell any of your partner to send the money to you....Scan and send the transfer receipt via email to me for confirmation on the moneygram customer care line if the money is available for any of you to pick up. when i come around to sort things with you,we will both go and pick up the money together then you pay me up.moreover, you are not sending the money to me, which i can do to person and i can never accept it. You are in custody of your money all i just needed is to see it that you truly have the cash to pay me when i come down.and i will refund the transfer charges back to you.If you can get the moneygram done today then we can meet for viewing today in the evening from 6pm and the keys to the flat will be given to you... the money will start counting from the day you intend to move in
waiting to read from you.
regards

--- On Sat, 31/5/08, Lucy Corr <spoonycorr@hotmail.com> wrote:

From: Lucy Corr <spoonycorr@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: Thinking on the viewing of the Appartment
To: silviaadamsmusic@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Saturday, 31 May, 2008, 6:32 PM

Silvia,

I am worried as I have not heard back from you in some time. I am very desperate for a place to live. Perhaps there is some kind of money transfer website you know of which I could use, not to transfer money direct to you but to show my balance? I am liquid.

Lucy


Hello Silvia,

That's a coincidence, I know a few musicians and people in the music industry in Manchester! Which studio are you working in?

I can understand your frustration at having your time wasted coming to London from Manchester etc. I think we should first clarify these few points, then arrange a viewing and possible exchange of contracts and money.

How much are you requesting as a deposit?

There would be 2 of us (a couple) looking to rent the flat. Is that feasible?

Could you send me the pictures of the flat again as the advert is no longer on gumtree?

What is the exact location of the flat?

How long could we rent it for?

I understand you are busy but it would be helpful to talk to you regarding this. We could arrange a convenient time.

Regards,

Lucy Corr


Hello ,
Thanks so much for the reply and interest in my Flat. 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.
But the issue is that i have been having problems with time wasters with regards to making the payment for the Flat and this was really a wasted time because i am presently in the studio doing some live recording and icant make or recieve calls due to the nature of my job,but have my Laptop here to reply to emails.viewing will not be a problem, Anytime during the week in the evening would be a good date for our meeting. but i want to be sure i get a proof you have the funds on you before i can commit to viewing as i have been dissapointed several times after scheduling viewings in the past few days.I work here as studio manager.. My job had suffered and i have also wasted my funds coming over to london before thats why im a little skeptical.
However,how am i going to be sure that i will not be disappointed when i come around to show you the flat?Please understand that i am NOT asking you to pay for what you have not seen.People have told me that they will pay upon us meeting if they are satisfied but they all don't have the money to pay,everyone of them is looking for a free or cheaper Flat to rent despite the fact that i have made the rent Cheap.
Pls,i need you suggestion here because you can't pay for what you have not seen,it is not advisable.
However,i am also discussing with my Colleague here as regards idea on what i can do.I will get back to you 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.
Do not hesitate to ask any question. feel free to ask me any question.
waiting to read from you.
silvia
N.B:
Do you have the money to pay me if you like the Flat after viewing?
How many are you to occupy the Flat?.

--- On Sat, 31/5/08, Lucy Corr <spoonycorr@hotmail.com> wrote:

From: Lucy Corr <spoonycorr@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: Apartment still Available
To: silviaadamsmusic@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Saturday, 31 May, 2008, 3:13 PM

Hello Silvia,

Thanks for replying so quickly. I'm very interested in your apartment. My partner and I are starting new jobs in London this month, and are looking for somewhere quiet and residential yet central. From the advert on gumtree your apartment seemed to be just what we are looking for. My partner is a sports journalist and editor for a media company, and I am lecturer in further and higher education. I teach English, Literacy and creative writing. I can completely understand that you are looking for someone reliable and trustworthy to rent your flat whilst you are in Manchester.. We have spent the last year living in Cornwall, renting a flat from my partner's family on a similar basis, all bills included in the rent. The apartment was a very well decorated holiday flat, so had to be kept clean, tidy and well looked after as the owners rented it over Christmas, and are renting it to holiday makers now we have moved out.

I have not yet moved to London, but my partner has and is renting a room for the next few weeks. Would your apartment accommodate two people? If you are interested in us renting it, would it be possible for my partner to meet you and view the flat and how long would it be possible to rent for? I am having trouble viewing the advert on gumtree. Would you be able to send me any pictures?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Kind Regards,

Lucy

Hello
Thanks for your mail. I am a very young comfortable professional,26 who works in a recording company as a studio manager.I would like to rent out a double bedroom Garden Flat with Broad Band Internet,parking space, store,tv,dvd,central ac,central heating, to a very easy going person at 750 per month including all bills.available now for you to occupy for a long time
My apartment is very comfortable fully furnished flat on ground floor of brand duplex flat.
Located in quiet residential area is fully furnished with large fitted wardrobes, offering heaps of storage space. Large fully equipped kitchen, 2 toilets and unlimited wireless internet.
I dont want any problem for myself.., i need to know the person that will occupy my apartment that is, the person that willl take care of my apartment like theirs because am letting the flat out because am presently in manchester working. It is not compulsory that i rent out the flat but if i can get a reliable and tidy person that will take care of my flat for me i can let it out.so i need to know them better i.e what you and your partner do for a living.
Waiting to read from you.
SILVIA


--- On Sat, 31/5/08, Lucy Corr <spoonycorr@hotmail.com> wrote:

From: Lucy Corr <spoonycorr@hotmail.com>
Subject: stunning,furnished,large double bedroom flat (£190 pw)
To: silviaadamsmusic@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Saturday, 31 May, 2008, 11:02 AM

Hi Silvia,

Just wondered if I could request more information on this flat you posted on gumtree. Am looking for somewhere to rent from July 1st.. Is this property still available?

Regards

Lucy Corr

[sazana]

I have had the exact same conversation with Silvia Adams:

Date: Saturday, 31 May, 2008, 10:55 AM


Hi,

I have just seen your advert on Gumtree. My husband and I are a professional couple relocating to London from Leeds. I would like to arrange a viewing for this apartment on monday anytime after 4pm?

I would like to know what is the closest tube station? approximately how many mins walk?

How much is the council tax?

Is this is a ground floor flat?

If you have more pictures such as the kitchen and bathroom please do email it to me.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

On 31/05/2008, Silvia Adams <silviaadamsmusic@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Hello
Thanks for your mail. I am a very young comfortable professional,26 who works in a recording company as a studio manager.I would like to rent out a double bedroom Garden Flat with Broad Band Internet,parking space, store,tv,dvd,central ac,central heating, to a very easy going person at 750 per month including all bills.available now for you to occupy for a long time
My apartment is very comfortable fully furnished flat on ground floor of brand duplex flat.
Located in quiet residential area is fully furnished with large fitted wardrobes, offering heaps of storage space. Large fully equipped kitchen, 2 toilets and unlimited wireless internet.
I dont want any problem for myself.., i need to know the person that will occupy my apartment that is, the person that willl take care of my apartment like theirs because am letting the flat out because am presently in manchester working. It is not compulsory that i rent out the flat but if i can get a reliable and tidy person that will take care of my flat for me i can let it out.so i need to know them better i.e what you and your partner do for a living.
Waiting to read from you.
SILVIA

On 31/05/2008, Silvia Adams <silviaadamsmusic@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Hello ,
Thanks so much for the reply and interest in my Flat. 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.
But the issue is that i have been having problems with time wasters with regards to making the payment for the Flat and this was really a wasted time because i am presently in the studio doing some live recording and icant make or recieve calls due to the nature of my job,but have my Laptop here to reply to emails.viewing will not be a problem, Anytime during the week in the evening would be a good date for our meeting. but i want to be sure i get a proof you have the funds on you before i can commit to viewing as i have been dissapointed several times after scheduling viewings in the past few days.I work here as studio manager.. My job had suffered and i have also wasted my funds coming over to london before thats why im a little skeptical.
However,how am i going to be sure that i will not be disappointed when i come around to show you the flat?Please understand that i am NOT asking you to pay for what you have not seen.People have told me that they will pay upon us meeting if they are satisfied but they all don't have the money to pay,everyone of them is looking for a free or cheaper Flat to rent despite the fact that i have made the rent Cheap.
Pls,i need you suggestion here because you can't pay for what you have not seen,it is not advisable..
However,i am also discussing with my Colleague here as regards idea on what i can do.I will get back to you 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.
Do not hesitate to ask any question. feel free to ask me any question.
waiting to read from you.
silvia
N..B:
Do you have the money to pay me if you like the Flat after viewing?
How many are you to occupy the Flat?.


Thanks for the mail and this flat is located on Queens Gate, London, SW7 just a short walk from Hyde Park,I would have love to receive bank statement,reference and bank slip as proof,but sorry i have been sent fraudulent one in the past by time wasters .I wasted fund coming from manchester just because of this flat but people don't have the money to pay for it they just want to see how beautiful it looks so i asked my colleague here in manchester, .she said for both of us to be on a safer side, that we can both do it this way that for you to show that you have the cash to pay for my rent and deposit and you will not disappoint me when i come down from manchester to sort the viewing, the best you can give me as a proof is to show that you have the cash in hand to pay.
Is that you should go to any money gram outlet close to you, to send one month rent of 750 +refundable deposit 750pounds in your name to your partner's name in your present address or you tell your partner to send the money to you...Scan and send the transfer receipt via email to me for confirmation on the moneygram customer care line if the money is available for any of you to pick up. when i come around to sort things with you,we will both go and pick up the money together then you pay me up.moreover, you are not sending the money to me, which i can do to person and i can never accept it. You are in custody of your money all i just needed is to see it that you truly have the cash to pay me when i come down.and i will refund the transfer charges back to you.If you can get the moneygram done today then we can meet for viewing today in the evening from 6pm and the keys to the flat will be given to you... the money will start counting from the day you intend to move in
waiting to read from you.
regards

[scambuster100]

[ehewett71]

Hi, there have been many recent ads with this scam, always different emails, but same text:

Hello
Thanks for your mail. I am a very young comfortable professional,26 who works in a recording company as a studio manager.I would like to rent out a double bedroom Garden Flat with Broad Band Internet to a very easy going person at 600 per month including all bills.available now for you to occupy.not shared apartment..My apartment is very comfortable fully furnished flat of brand duplex flat.Located in quiet residential area {Albany Street, London, NW1 3UP}within easy walking distance of Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus. The city, London's financial district is only a short taxi ride away. the flat is located in a privileged area next to the famous Regent's Park home to the popular London Zoo. Moreover, the flat is just 15 minutes away from the picturesque area of Camden Town with its popular street market and only 3 minutes away from the spectacular wax museum Madame Tussaud's and the British Museum.
It enjoys unbeatable transport access being well served by three underground stations, Warren Street, Great Portland Street and Regents Park all of which are within easy walking distance. Paddington, Marylebone and Kings Cross mainline train stations are all within a 5-10 minutes taxi ride away. Heathrow Airport is about 45 minutes away by taxi...is fully furnished with digital home cinema, hi-fi system, VCR, DVD player, phone, fax, computer, cable/satellite, internet access, wardrobe, cupboard, Hanging wardrobe, safe deposit box, radio alarm clock, hair dryer, fully air-conditioned, central heating, intruder alarm, fire alarm and more. Large fully equipped kitchen, 2 toilets and unlimited wireless internet.
I dont want any problem for myself.., i need to know the person that will occupy my apartment that is, the person that willl take care of my apartment like theirs because am letting the flat out because am presently in manchester working. It is not compulsory that i rent out the flat but if i can get a reliable and tidy person that will take care of my flat for me i can let it out.so i need to know them better i.e what you and your partner do for a living.
Waiting to read from you.

I have noticed that after contacting this people, the ads are deleted from gumtree, hence this is a way to detect them. hope this helps.