Dodgy Gumtree 'rental' replies?

vik6525

Im in Swansea and had SO many replies like this to my Gumtree advert.... It must be a countrywide thing...

UK007BullDog

I think this says it all:

http://forums.gumtree.com/about147864.html

jimc_2

This is a well known and blatant scam! For a full description of how it works see the 'false deposit' and 'false escrow' sections in the Security Center at https://www.netcred.co.uk

There is a new variant of the scam where the 'landlord' asks the victim to show they can afford the rent by putting money into a Western Union account and to fax the deposit receipt as proof that they hold the funds. They assure the victim that no money is being sent but in fact they can immediately withdraw it anywhere in the world just by just knowing it is there under the victims name.

Gumtree has lists of scammers AFTER the event but it only takes a minute to register a new email address at yahoo! or hotmail so these lists are unlikely to help. Gumtree also give the disclaimer that their site is only for LOCAL trade and only to deal face-to-face where you can see the other person. This is good advice but there are also reports on their website about short-term flat tenants pretending to be be the owner and taking deposits from multiple 'tenants' by any of the means above (or sometimes just cash in hand!)

in the case of the OP, it is good advice to check the IP address of the email. (Info on how to do this is also on the site above.) If the address is of an Internet cafe in Lagos make up your own mind!

electricemma

I've been using Gumtree of late to look for a new place to rent. Quite a few of the landlords I've met have also been advertising though agents but just use Gumtree to get tenants direct. Quite a few of them have said that their agents haven't been too proactive. So maybe when you see a place, check out whether it's also on http://www.findaproperty.com/ or http://www.rightmove.co.uk/ through an agent. Also I've noitced that on gumtree, quite a few smaller agents advertise properties that they do not put on their website or are having trouble drawing attention too.

littlemouse122

Great lot of replies, thanks!

I have no intention of following these up as they are obviously scams. As the old saying goes "if it looks too good to be true, it probably is". The terrible English but with English names is the clear giveaway and the exact same replies from both.

I still use Gumtree for selling and giving away freebies but by 'eck there are some dodgy people on it!:rolleyes:

Sisyphus

I've had dealings with Prickett and Ellis in N10 and they are above board .
Why don't you call them and ask them to explain?

littlemouse122

Just got this reply from one of the dodgy Gumtree 'landlords' who thinks I am still interested in 'his' flat. Sooo dodgy.:mad: (the pictures are all of the inside of very expensive flat and imo none of them are consistent with each other).


hello sorry for the late reply i have been busy with some other personal business of mine, the flat is not above shops and it includes all tax and no extra expenses so you are rest assured of that.Thanks for the prompt reply, yes the flat is still available you can come for viewing anytime as i am free to show you the property anytime you want and more so i will need to know how serious you are in renting the house cos i have been fooled alot by people who pretended to be serious at first. I have waisted alot of money on boarding train from Manchester to come over here to show people the flat but not for them to show up and also some come up with excuses that they dont have as much money with them, so i have contacted my lawyer about this and he said that i should get to know how serious you are and if you have the funds for the security deposit and if you have it then he will be needing an evidence from you to show it.Hope you can understand my position and try to be flexible with me as i look forward to having you as my tenant soon.
i have attached some pics of the flat and i hope you get back to me soon.

thanks

jimc_2

Yep! That's the way it works. In the next email they'll ask you to send about £500 to a family relative by Western Union and send the receipt as proof. Even if you blank out critical details such as the code you gave for collection, they can still use information from this anywhere in the world to lift the money with a fake signature. (It doesn't even have to be vaguely realistic - it'll be accepted!)

I believe that the £500 figure is a critical figure above which checks (like knowing the collection code) are triggered.

poppy10_2

littlemouse122 wrote: »

so i have contacted my lawyer about this and he said that i should get to know how serious you are and if you have the funds for the security deposit and if you have it then he will be needing an evidence from you to show it.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

The evidence presumable being the Western Union money transfer as described above.

I think we should pull a 419-eater counter-scam on this guy - string him along and turn the tables.

mozzyc

I've been replied with these stories on gumtree each time i've tried to look for a flat. They give some false reason why they can't meet you, and to prove you can pay the rent, transfer funds.
ie below

Thanks for your prompt reply.I am sorry for my late responses.I will like you to come around for the viewing.I am new to this,this is my first time doing this due to my new Job in Portsmouth.I need someone that will take good care of the place.Looking for someone that will make the place clean and tidy.I was in London to show some people my flat,when i got there i found out that they were not capable of paying there rent.They showed me reference from both landlord and employer which i found out to be fake.They waste my money and time.I swear that i will not show anyone my flat until i am sure that the person is capable of paying is rent.I will like to be sure that you are capable of paying your rent before i can come down.Isnt that am doubting you.I hope you understand.

The other is from a guy who says he's doing building contruction on a hotel in edinburgh, and is off to Italy, so he's renting out his place. But same story, can't come meet you.

So annoying!