Scams in Apartment rentals
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: NSW, Australia
Posts: 191
Scams in Apartment rentals
Just like to share my experience with finding rentals through http://flatmates.com.au/home.html
I posted an ad stating I was looking for shared accommodation in Melbourne. I received some replies in my Inbox. I contacted them, and also talked to them on Yahoo Messenger. This is what I found out:
There seems to be some kind of scam going on through these rental websites. Is there anyone who has come across such scam?
I posted an ad stating I was looking for shared accommodation in Melbourne. I received some replies in my Inbox. I contacted them, and also talked to them on Yahoo Messenger. This is what I found out:
- All of them claimed to be in UK for some reason (honeymoon, holiday)
- All emails I received from them originated from Nigeria (found it from email header)
- All of them asked for the bond and advance rent to be transferred to them via Western Union or Moneygram as they couldn't access their account
There seems to be some kind of scam going on through these rental websites. Is there anyone who has come across such scam?
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 64
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
guess what, i did receive that as well..but im looking for rent in sydney..
just dont fall for it..
im wondering can we report them to police or something?
just dont fall for it..
im wondering can we report them to police or something?
#3
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Joined: Feb 2009
Location: NSW, Australia
Posts: 191
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
#4
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Joined: Jul 2005
Location: UK 2 Singapore 2 Sydney 2 Brisbane.....here to stay!
Posts: 1,307
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
Rudi
#5
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
3.
We cooperate with the Australian Federal Police and ACCC Scam Watch who investigate and prosecute scammers here and overseas.
All accommodation sites get occasional scammers. If an place or person sounds too good to be true, pushy or suspicious - they probably are. Report suspicious users to the site with a copy of correspondence.
If you haven't met them face-to-face don't trust a hotmail or yahoo account and nice pictures.
So what do genuine overseas people do? We can't say sadly. If we did suggest things - scammers would read it here and improve their act.
We are working on some ideas to make it easier for genuine overseas users to be trusted.
No matter what site you use, just remember the three rules above.
So I'd get on to the Feds and tell them of your experiences.
#6
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Joined: Feb 2009
Location: NSW, Australia
Posts: 191
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
For more info about scammers check this http://www.scamwatch.gov.au
#7
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
They tried getting me on gumtree....
They even had the cheek to tell me that i could view the property from the outside. The excuse was pretty similar (Not in australia, im back in liverpool with my ill mother, but just post me x amount of dollars deposit and 1 month rent and we'll get the key delivered to you)...
The bad thing is, i know people who have fallen for it!!
They even had the cheek to tell me that i could view the property from the outside. The excuse was pretty similar (Not in australia, im back in liverpool with my ill mother, but just post me x amount of dollars deposit and 1 month rent and we'll get the key delivered to you)...
The bad thing is, i know people who have fallen for it!!
#8
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: NSW, Australia
Posts: 191
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
They tried getting me on gumtree....
They even had the cheek to tell me that i could view the property from the outside. The excuse was pretty similar (Not in australia, im back in liverpool with my ill mother, but just post me x amount of dollars deposit and 1 month rent and we'll get the key delivered to you)...
The bad thing is, i know people who have fallen for it!!
They even had the cheek to tell me that i could view the property from the outside. The excuse was pretty similar (Not in australia, im back in liverpool with my ill mother, but just post me x amount of dollars deposit and 1 month rent and we'll get the key delivered to you)...
The bad thing is, i know people who have fallen for it!!
Here's a little cut and paste from the chat I had with one of the scammers (for your amusement) :
[*******************
Last edited by Dorothy; Jan 7th 2010 at 3:43 am. Reason: 6. Posting Email excerpts or Private Messages of ANY type or length is not allowed. There are no exceptions to this rule.
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 127
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
I have my house for rent on Gumtree UK at the moment.
When talking to scammers they are pretty easy to spot, the first one offered to send me pictures of his daughter who would be living there (WTF!!)
The next two finished by praising the lord jesus
The last one told me he hoped I grew big and strong
They will try to compliment you in their emails, If anyone seems a bit off then just ignore them. 419 scamming is unfortunately commonplace, you can research it on the internet. Its nearly always originates in Nigeria which is why its called 419 scamming- 419 is the section of nigerian law that covers it.
If you dont know just send me a mail and I'll look through it. I have been dealing with people like this for a long time and can pretty much spot one a mile off. If they email you from a free account, ask for their internet providing account such as AOL or Tiscali. If theyare genuine they will have one and not be using an internet cafe.
Just dont part with any money without meetiung them first, I am renting a house and I insist on meeting my tenants, thats how you judge a person. If they were genuine they would too.
When talking to scammers they are pretty easy to spot, the first one offered to send me pictures of his daughter who would be living there (WTF!!)
The next two finished by praising the lord jesus
The last one told me he hoped I grew big and strong
They will try to compliment you in their emails, If anyone seems a bit off then just ignore them. 419 scamming is unfortunately commonplace, you can research it on the internet. Its nearly always originates in Nigeria which is why its called 419 scamming- 419 is the section of nigerian law that covers it.
If you dont know just send me a mail and I'll look through it. I have been dealing with people like this for a long time and can pretty much spot one a mile off. If they email you from a free account, ask for their internet providing account such as AOL or Tiscali. If theyare genuine they will have one and not be using an internet cafe.
Just dont part with any money without meetiung them first, I am renting a house and I insist on meeting my tenants, thats how you judge a person. If they were genuine they would too.
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Sydney
Posts: 218
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
"the first one offered to send me pictures of his daughter who would be living there (WTF!!)
The next two finished by praising the lord jesus
The last one told me he hoped I grew big and strong"
pretty religious people ...
The next two finished by praising the lord jesus
The last one told me he hoped I grew big and strong"
pretty religious people ...
#12
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
just to track these people, its jan 2010 and they are still using the same scam with the same name and e-mail.
I was looking for apartment in Melbourne and they are offering a apartment at 109/740 Swanston Street Melbourne VIC 3004 central location.
well, at least they are not so religious anymore lol...
this is the email they sent me at first :
***************
Another detail is this phone number she gave to me
******************
I hope this info can help...
I was looking for apartment in Melbourne and they are offering a apartment at 109/740 Swanston Street Melbourne VIC 3004 central location.
well, at least they are not so religious anymore lol...
this is the email they sent me at first :
***************
Another detail is this phone number she gave to me
******************
I hope this info can help...
Last edited by Dorothy; Jan 7th 2010 at 3:42 am. Reason: 6. Posting Email excerpts or Private Messages of ANY type or length is not allowed. There are no exceptions to this rule.
#13
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
Sorry, but as per rule 6 of the site rules posting emails is not allowed. http://britishexpats.com/site-rules/
#14
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
I understand that any set of rules have the only and most important point improve the community and provide order. But i can see this rule number 6 is working against the forum and its users and doing worse, its helping a scam.
I suppose its not the goal of this forum, so i ask for common sense applying the rules.
I suppose its not the goal of this forum, so i ask for common sense applying the rules.
#15
Re: Scams in Apartment rentals
I understand that any set of rules have the only and most important point improve the community and provide order. But i can see this rule number 6 is working against the forum and its users and doing worse, its helping a scam.
I suppose its not the goal of this forum, so i ask for common sense applying the rules.
I suppose its not the goal of this forum, so i ask for common sense applying the rules.
The rules are set by admin and as moderators we simply apply them.