'Flat Rental' Scams through Western Union. Scam No.1

Hello all!

This is my first in-depth blog into the world of scamming which is currently at large on the website 'gumtree.com'.

I'm currently looking into moving into London to make my life a little more easier and decided to start looking for a flat and came across 2 Ideals locations at a cost which i found quite cheap so decided to investigate and these are what i will be talking about today.

Scam No.1: "This beautiful and spacious, one bedroomed flat"
Location: Clapham Junction
Seller: 'SallyAlvert'

Ok, so to begin with i emailed this person asking for more information on the flat in question, Approximatly 30 minutes later i received this letter:

Hello,
sorry for late reply I so much appreciate the fact that you have interest in my flat..

ABOUT ME:I am a professional, a stockbroker presently in birmingham for seminar on UK stock exchange. I would love to rent out my flat to a neat, friendly person, even when i feel meeting Him/Her and also the rooms can be occupied by single or couples.However, my Flat is very comfortable fully furnished.

LOCATION:The Flat is situated on the corner of Illminster Road, just moments from the bars, boutiques and specialist shops of Northcote Road. The green open spaces of Clapham Common are also within easy reach.Ilminster Gardens, Clapham Junction, SW11

TRANSPORTATION:The nearest stations are Clapham Junction (National Rail) and Clapham Common Underground Station (Northern Line), while the nearby A3036 and A3 provide the motorist with fast and easy access to routes in and out of London.

FACILITIES:The property comprises a reception room, fantastic eat-in kitchen, master bedroom with fitted wardrobes and contemporary bathroom.The whole Flat will be rented out for £520pcm utilities, security and bills all inclusive and 1month payment for the security deposit.Viewing will never be a problem as I can come around if we both agree on a perfect date and time to meet. But, what i am requesting for is the assurance that you can pay me (Only if you like the flat after the viewing). The reason why i'm requesting for this is just because I've seen many time wasters which they wasted my time very much and I don't like time wasters. For now, I need your suggestion.

In this email she explains that she is sorry she is late at replying (a full 30 minutes!) and already starts to talk about how you will need to 'make a suggestion' to ensure her that you have the money you say you do to pay for the flat. The flat itself is £520 a month including a first month as deposit totalling a nice sum of £1,040.

So i email her back requesting some images and a little more information. She replied with:

Hi,
Thanks for your email,The flat is available for short and long term rent
Please find the attached file
Regards

I took a look at the pictures and though they looked nice, so i then asked about a viewing and i'm interested to which i got a reply already including payment information before breaking it inslowly!

Hi,
Please, i need you to take your time and go through my email carefully,You need not to pay for flat not yet viewed...But what i meant was that i have been disturbed alot by prospective tenants by waisting time coming over all the way from birmingham little did i know that they don't have the money for flat but they love the flat.
So i have been advised that if i ever see anyone interested in the flat, they should take a step further in confusing me that they have the money for the flat before i come over.So if interested, you will proceed to western union and transfer money to your relative(not me), you will email me with the following to proof to me that the transaction has taken place and the money is available for pick up

SENDER'S NAME ..................
RECIEVER'S NAME...............
REFERENCE NUMBER........
AMOUNT SENT......................

then i will confirm from western union if the transaction has been taken place and the money is available for pick up that proove that you have the cash for the rent.Once i am able to confirm, i will email you back almost immediately then i will be coming over to london same day.
When we meet in person, we shall all go back to western union and collect the money and you will pay me if you like the flat but if not, you will go with your money.
You will be charged minimal fee for transfering and i promise to pay the money back to you once we meet in person.I will get the contract ready for you to sign if you like to take the Flat after viewing and the keys will be handed over to you immediately after contract. Receipt of payment will be issued to you after which you have sign the lease agreement form..I hope i've explained, i am not in any way telling you to pay me before viewing.
Regards

At this stage, i then emailed her saying i was uncomfortable with western union and i will be looking further into them before moving forward, she replied with:

Hi,
Thanks for your email,
Alright, i understand you no problem about that i will wait for you until you make the transfer.
To transfer money from western union or moneygram is very easy okay, just locate a western union office collect the form and fill it, make a transfer to your friend or relative within the U.K, your name will be as the senders name and your friend name will be as the recievers name that proove that your money is within you,as soon as you have done get back to me with the requested information to confirm online that the transfer has been made and the money is available for pick up that proove that you have the cash for the rent and you realy serious about it.as soon as i confirm i will get back to you and we can arranged for viewing
You dont need any asistance than the way i have explain to you now

Let me just know when you have done with the transfer

Regards

At this point i then said ok to her and asked what would happen after i have done this, to which she replied:

Hi,
Alright,no problem let me just know when you have done with the transfer

Regards

After a conversation with my Bank and Western Union to confirm my thoughts on this... that it is indeed a scam /suspect deal i then emailed her back saying i believe this to be a suspicious transaction and after advice from my bank and Western Union, i will not be moving forward. I have had no reply.

I will also post about the next scam.

In both scams, both people are asking for £520/month which equals £1,040 when they ask for also a first months rent as deposit. Neither of them are able to meet you in person and give you a proper view, both are asking for you to pay for the flat before viewing and receiving keys and they are also making you feel trust when they tell you "I'm putting trust in you to not mess the flat up, i would like to think your an honest person" etc when really - it's them you should be talking to about trust, £1,040 of trust to be exact.