So, I'm thinking this is a scam...

Bella01

Hi,

I am currently looking for a flat, and thought I'd found a good one. However, it now seems to have 'scam' written all over it. I think they're trying to get my bank details :-( Basically, he asked for proof that I currently have enough funds to pay the deposit/rent.

Here are chunks of the correspondence.

'Hello ,
If you have 2 month rent fee and the deposit,right there with you , well, you can use that as a proof to me by making a deposit to any of your family or partner and show me a receipt as proof and confirmation before i can go get my flight ticket . I traveled three time last week to show the flat to some couples but they don't have the funds at hand to pay and turn out telling me stories that they will pay me when they got a good job..I don't want to risk or waste my time coming down anymore if i don't have a proof from who ever is interested in my flat before getting my ticket to fly down..I am sorry for any inconveniences but you just have to reason with me. I just don't feel comfortable asking for payment upfront before viewing my flat because its is not normal and does sound illegal .So i prefer having a proof you have funds and will proceed from there. Go to any Post Office close to you and ask for money gram Units and do as instructed below to any of your family or partner and get back to me with a confirmation.
THIS WHAT TO DO BELOW....

Sender name: YOUR NAME
Senders address: Your complete address

Receiver's Name: Your family ,Fiancee name or partner
Receiver's address:

I was also made to understand that money gram takes some charges for the transfer and i am telling you that i will return back to you the full transfer charges whether you decide to rent the flat or not when we meet.
Hope to read back from you.
Thanks.'

'
Good to read back from you.To be frank with you , i am not after the rent but need a responsible and loyal Tenant who will take good care of the flat, 50% of the rent goes to the Charities and the others goes for tax and bills .I have the keys and documents for the contract with me here in Italy .if you really have interest, kindly get back to me and we will both arrange on time and date to view the flat before signing for a contract. I will be needing a proof to show me you have the rent fee before i could go get my flight ticket because i traveled three time last week to show the flat to some couples but they don't have the funds at hand to pay and turn out telling me stories that they will pay me when they got a good job.This is so stressful and frustrating.i don't like jobless and time wasters and I don't want to risk or waste my time coming down anymore if i don't have a proof from who ever is interested in my flat before getting my ticket to fly down..I am sorry for any inconveniences but you just have to reason with me.. Hope this is clear now?
Hope to read from you soon.
Thanks.'


'Property descriptions

THE RENT IS : ( £280 pcm) Deposit of £200



TYPE:
1 bedroom Flat
Features: Flat, Floor #, Parking available,
No parking cost, 1 Bedrooms, 1 Bathrooms
Neighbourhood: N/A Home amenities: Alarm system, Cable ready,Washer/Dryer,Dishwasher,Microwave, Kitchen access,Storage.
House amenities: Furnished, Air conditioning, Private entrance, Private bath, Phone jack, TV, Cable jack, Closet..
Utilities include: electricity, gas, cable, phone, internet wiffi,air condition,wardrobe and so on.

I will also need you to get back to me with the below required details if it suits me :-

Maximum stay:.................
Flatmate Description:.................
Personal info:.........................
Address:..........................
Household info:.................
Age:....................
Smoker:...............
Pet:...................
Phone number.........................

I will be expecting to read back from you if you really have interest.
Hope to read back from you soon.
God Bless you'

I only posted his side of the dialogue-most recent email at the top. I guess it sounds too good to be true.:rotfl:

lincroft1710

Yes, definite scam.

keith969

"50% of the rent goes to the Charities"

Yeah, right.

Bella01

Ha! I hate these people. When you don't have much money, you want to believe anything!!:o

RAS

Yep

With the Money gram receipt that you scan over to them, they relieve the account of the rent and deposit. You have no way of ever fiding out who took it.

How much is the rent?

Bella01

RAS wrote: »

Yep

With the Money gram receipt that you scan over to them, they relieve the account of the rent and deposit. You have no way of ever fiding out who took it.

How much is the rent?

It was 280 quid for a studio apartment. Too low really, especially since it's furnished, but he said he urgently needed someone.:rolleyes:

He now has my email address. Is this a potential issue?

RAS

At least he does not have your account details.

hazey31

Bella01 wrote: »

He now has my email address. Is this a potential issue?

Filter all his mails into the trash/spam folder.

iscrimger

The use of English is usually poor, most people who rent a flat out can string a sentence together!

Renting a flat is really quite simple. You request to view it - you have no obligation to rent it and you don't have to pay, sign or reveal any details to view the property.

There has been a lot of posts about this recently and it still amazes me people believe it to be true!

foxxymynx

yeh, definately a scam. Usually found alot on gumtree in my personal experience