Flat scam case

Trading Standards has said there's been a big rise in the number of would-be tenants falling for online scams. Newsbeat came across an example of one when enquiring about a flat advertised online. Here's an edited version of the emails involved...

E-mail enquiry

Hello,

I've spotted an ad for your flat and wondered if it's still available? If so, I'd like to view it.

Many thanks,

Mary

Response

Thanks for your email and it is my gladness to hear from you. I am Walter Padiani, the owner of the Flat you are making inquiry of. Actually I resided in the Flat with my family, presently we moved away due to my transfer from my working place. Now, I went for a Crusade in the West Africa and i will like you to get in touch with my wife in the United states for more details & pictures of our flat as She is with the keys and the documents to the Flat. Please, i want you to note that i am a kind and honest person.

Thanks for your interest.

Best Regards,

Walter Padiani

E-mail enquiry to Melissa

Hi Melissa,

I just emailed your husband Walter about your lovely flat in South Kensington and he asked me to message you.

I'd be really interested in coming to have a look at the flat if that's possible? Does anyone here have a set of the keys or is it on with a letting agency?

Mary

Reply from Melissa

Thanks for the email. We are not after the money for the rent (which is why is so low)but want it to be clean all the time. So for now, I am in Greensville NJ in the United States in our new home for a seminar and also I am with the keys and documents of the Flat since the agent we trusted let us down , so viewing won't be possible for now as we will never trust any agent nor realtor due to the bad experience we've pnce had. My husband is also in West Africa for a mission for God's Work. I hope you will promise us to take very good care of the Flat which is what we are really looking for.

Hope to read from you soon.

Melissa

E-mail to Melissa

Hi Melissa,

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

Do you know anyone in London who'll be able to show me around?

Thanks

Mary

Reply from Melissa

Hello Mary,

Good hearing from you that you are promising us about our flat will be well taken care off, and I really appreciate your expression....I want you to stick to your words and i hope you won't let me down?

Rent application form

(Private & Confidential)

Also, Pls let me get this answer.

1)Your Full Name

2)Present Full Address(where you reside now) & Phone Number to Reach You

3)Age

4)Are you married?

5)How many people will be living in the house?

6)Do you have a pet?

7)Do you have a car?

8)Occupation?

9) Citizen of which Country?

10) When are you ready to Move In ?

11) When are u planning to leave the flat ?

12) How many months rent can you deposit upfront (plus security deposit(300GBP which will be given back to you after the contract)

Looking forward to hear from you with the application form being filled. Once i get your application form, I will be forwarding it to my husband for approval. If he doesn't approve it, there's nothing i can do about it but if he does, then you are lucky as we have a lot of offers and are also ready to move in ASAP. Please, I believe that we have to do this transaction based on Trust & Honesty and again I want you to stick to your word (every single word i mean),We are putting everything into Gods hand , so please do not let us down in this property of ours and God bless you more as you do this.

N:B : I had an accident which affected my hearing and my legs , I am currently on a wheel chair right now, I do not use a phone that's why I am always online , Just fill out the application form above and email it back to me so that i can forward it to my husband for approval..

Thank you so much and have a Wonderful Day.

God Bless..

Melissa

E-mail to Melissa

Hi Melissa,

Can I also ask how I'm going to view the flat if you have the keys? Thanks, Mary

Reply from Melissa

Hello Mary,

Thank you very much for your interest in our Flat, I can see your willingness in this Flat and want to Congratulate you that you are the one chosen to take our flat. I want you to know that we are satisfied with your profile and also believe l can trust you because l would not be happy if you fail to keep to your promises. My husband will be receiving the move in deposit (6 weeks rent plus security deposit) payment from you via Western Union. From your application l can see that you are responsible and a hard working person ,may the Almighty Lord lead you in what ever you wish to do.

Hope to read from you soon.

Thanks and God bless you

Melissa

E-mail to Melissa

Hi Melissa,

That is great news that you have chosen me to have your flat! I am very excited. I'm a little bit concerned about sending money over. Is there any other way i can do it?

Thanks

Mary

Reply from Melissa

Hello Mary,

I understand all what you meant but i wish you could know the kind of person we are. We're a clergy and a honest person and we will never tanish our names all because of money. I will definately make sure that i keep you update regarding the shipment by sending all the tracking details to you once i ship out the keys/documents so that you will be able to pick up the package at your Doorstep immediately its arrive. I will take you for your word and will take half of the deposit from you as upfront and once you get the keys/documents, you send the remaining half but i hope you won't let me down by not sending the remaining money once you get the keys/documents..I will be looking forward to your response, Thanks and God Bless.

Melissa

E-mail to Melissa

Hi,

Sorry, i don't mean to question the kind of people you are but you must understand i don't like the idea of sending money to people i've never met. Is there not another alternative to show you that I have the available money?

Mary

Reply from Melissa

The new policy which was decided is by confirming the capability

of our tenants income of renting the flat via WESTERN UNION MONEY

TRANSFER .

It will done this way now and i will like you to do it this morning;

Make a refundable Security Deposit of 300 pounds for the house plus rent

payment of 2 months (800GBP) Making the total of 1100GBP.

You will have to make the western union money transfer to your name or any of your friend's name,

All i need is just the evidence that you have my rental bills deposited, you do not need to send it to me but just to any relative of your choice or you can as well send it to your own name .Through this, at least i will know you are committed to rent my flat before shipping out the keys/documents.

After you might have done the deposit, Do send me the following details below to confirm online if the money is truly available by you:

MTCN given to you at Western Union:

Senders Name:

Receivers Name:

Actual Amount Sent:

Text Question and answer:

All these are what i need as a proof that you have the deposit

fee to pay .

I will verify through Western Union to confirm if you actually made the transaction.

After verification, i will ship out the keys and Documents to you immediately.

Then you will send the money to me once you get the keys and documents.

Looking forward to your immediate response.

Melissa