Is this a scam? (Renting)

scar1_2

Hi,

I am currently looking at renting a property in via a private let from gumtree. I have found a flat which is reasonably priced and when contacting the landlord she advises that she is not in th UK. The landlord advised that students had messed her around before and just wants a good tennant (obviously).

I advised that am very interested and have deposit and first month rent available for almost [FONT=&quot]Immediate[/FONT] move, however to prove I was for real she requested that I deposited the funds into a western union account and take a snapshot of the statement as proof that I have the funds available.

I have never used WU before and gave alternatives as proof that I have the cash available but she insisted I did it this way.

This sounds odd to me, can anyone offer any advice in why the landlord is so insistent on seeing a WU statement or wanting me to deposit into a WU account. I want the flat but beginning to think this is not totally legitimate.

Can anyone offer any advice, opinion or assistance on this.

Help is appreciated
Thanks
Steve

Peter999_2

Yes, complete scam.

You deposit the money, she gets the copy of the receipt, goes into any branch of WU and withdraws the money. Very well known scam.

See here : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7648092.stm

fairy_lights

Does anyone ever use Western Union for non-scamming purposes?

scar1_2

Thats what I was thinking. Thanks for the confirmation. I might have fun the b******d and wind them up for few weeks. Some people have no morals.

dacouch

A good trick is to right click on an image which will give you the option to search google for the same image

[Deleted User]

fairy_lights wrote: »

Does anyone ever use Western Union for non-scamming purposes?

When I was in outer Cambodia backpacking I used it for receiving money from my father as I was in trouble.

So good for remote areas ,people with no bank account and dodgy deals.

gazter

fairy_lights wrote: »

Does anyone ever use Western Union for non-scamming purposes?

No sometimes its used for money laundering and terrorism funding.

stator

fairy_lights wrote: »

Does anyone ever use Western Union for non-scamming purposes?

Apparently even the staff at Western Union warn you that it's a scam before you send money. Most people send it anyway

kinger101

Tell her in order to pay the deposit, you need to free some money held in a Nigerian account that has been frozen. In order to release these funds, you need to bribe one of the bank officials. If she can send you $10,000 dollars to do this, you will repay here $100,000 in return.

scar1_2

Thanks for the advice, all appreciated!

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Please do waste their time a bit whilst not revealing any of your details. Then report the ad to Gumtree.