SCAM WARNING: Josef Gutmannsbauer

Some recent reports about a prolific scammer using alias Josef Gutmannsbauer, (josgutman@ymail.com). BEWARE!

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November 12, 2009

I got this one when I was looking for accommodation in Copenhagen (November 2009)… It’s from a “Josef Gutman” (josgutman@ymail.com)… I took a random line from the email, googled it, and I found myself at this blog. Thanks for setting it up!!!

Here’s the text of the email below…

“Hello,
My two bedroom apartment in Copenhagen is up for rent. I got a contract job in a design company that deals with architectural Design – Domestic Interiors – Exhibition Design – Interior Design, in England and I’ve presently relocated to London. The apartment will be available for a while as the first phase of my contract is one year.

Its a fully furnished apartment with a complete bathroom. An area of study, with WI-FI Internet service,telephone service, and a kitchen totally equipped with electrical oven,
microwave, washing machine,refrigerator, washing machine and dryer.Also it has a system of refrigeration and heating in all the apartment being able to enjoy the temperature you wish at any moment.

The price of the apartment is 2600DKK for your period of stay, if you are interested get back to me so I can provide you with more details and also the rental application form.

Regards,

Josef.”

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January 14, 2010

Hello

Apperently the guy has an appartment in Amsterdam aswell, found this blog while googling the email-adress: Josgutman@ymail.com. Thanks for this blog

Here’s the response i got
“Hello,
My one bedroom apartment in Jordaan is up for rent. I got a contract job in a design company that deals with architectural Design – Domestic Interiors – Exhibition Design – Interior Design, in England and I’ve presently relocated to London. The apartment will be available for a while as the first phase of my contract is one year.

Its a fully furnished apartment with a complete bathroom. An area of study, with WI-FI Internet service,telephone service, and a kitchen totally equipped with electrical oven,
microwave, washing machine,refrigerator, washing machine and dryer.Also it has a system of refrigeration and heating in all the apartment being able to enjoy the temperature you wish at any moment.

The price of the apartment is 500EUR per month, if you are interested get back to me so I can provide you with more details and also the rental application form.

Regards,

Josef.”

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January 14, 2010

This Guy also goes under the name of Josef Gutmannsbauer. Sent me an ad from Tel Aviv saying he had an apartment for rent. Glad for this listing so no one gets taken.

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January 16, 2010

Okay, watch out for Rome now. Josef Gutmannsbauer. Same telephone number.

“Hello,
My two bedroom apartment in Monti is up for rent. I got a contract job in a design company that deals with architectural Design – Domestic Interiors – Exhibition Design – Interior Design, in England and I’ve presently relocated to London. The apartment will be available for a while as the first phase of my contract is one year.

Its a fully furnished apartment with a complete bathroom. An area of study, with WI-FI Internet service,telephone service, and a kitchen totally equipped with electrical oven,
microwave, washing machine,refrigerator, washing machine and dryer.Also it has a system of refrigeration and heating in all the apartment being able to enjoy the temperature you wish at any moment.

The price of the apartment is 800EUR per month, if you are interested get back to me so I can provide you with more details and also the rental application form.

Regards,

Josef.”

.

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January 24, 2010

BE CAREFULL , watch out for ROMA now. Josef GUTMANNSBAUER. Same telephone number. with fake ID.

“Hello,
My two bedroom apartment in Monti is up for rent. I got a contract job in a design company that deals with architectural Design – Domestic Interiors – Exhibition Design – Interior Design, in England and I’ve presently relocated to London. The apartment will be available for a while as the first phase of my contract is one year.

Its a fully furnished apartment with a complete bathroom. An area of study, with WI-FI Internet service,telephone service, and a kitchen totally equipped with electrical oven,
microwave, washing machine,refrigerator, washing machine and dryer.Also it has a system of refrigeration and heating in all the apartment being able to enjoy the temperature you wish at any moment.

The price of the apartment is 800EUR per month, if you are interested get back to me so I can provide you with more details and also the rental application form.

Regards,

Josef

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February 5, 2010

I’ve just been cheated by the same guy – what can be done about it?

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February 11, 2010

DEAR ALL
HE IS A SCAMMER. I WIRED SOME MONEYS AND NOW NO NEWS. DON’T TRUST HIM EVEN IF HE SAYS HE WILL SEND YOU THE KEYS BY MAIL BLA BLA
HE IS A LIAR. JUST ONE WAY TO KNOW HIM : ASK HIM ABOUT VIENNA ABOUT A FAKE AREA NAME HE WILL HESITATE PROBABLY OR TELL YOU HE KNOWS AND BINGO!!!

I HAD HIM SEVERAL TIME ON THE PHONE HE SOUNDED CORRECT BUT HE IS A LIAR

AND JOSEF GUTMANSBAEUR IS CERTAINLY THE REAL VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT HE HAS STOLEN.

CORNELIA, FILE TO THE POLICE AND PUT A WARNING ON FBK TO AVOID YOUR IDENTITY TO BE STOLEN

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February 17, 2010

I got scammed by this Josef character. I didn’t even think about being scammed. Is there anything I can do?

Thanks.

More here: http://parishousingscamwatch.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/warning-scammer-mike-brown/

and here: http://parishousingscamwatch.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/warning-scammer-lynsey-douglas-l_douglas_111hotmailcom/

WARNING: infinityapartmentrentals

BEWARE of repeat scammer using  alias RICHARD CRAIG and email infinityapartmentrentals@googlemail.com:

SUITE DES SCAMS DU MEME UNE INDUSTRIE ! C’EST UNE USURPATION DE NOM D’AGENCE…
Richard Craig
infinityapartmentrentals@googlemail.com
Tel: +44 (0) 7519569598

http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/vac/1469648678.html
http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/vac/1469651830.html
http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/vac/1469651291.html
http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/vac/1469649934.html
http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/vac/1469649804.html
http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/vac/1469645769.html
http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/vac/1469646936.html
http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/vac/1469645769.html
http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/vac/1469645107.html

.

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SCAMS PARIS LONDRES un soit disant Richard Craig, amusant non ?

http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/vac/1469645107.html

infinityapartmentrentals@googlemail.com
Tél. 44 (0) 7519569598
Fiché comme escroc ici :

EUR2000 / 2br – Rue Bouloi 75001 (Central france)
Date : 2009-11-17, 11:37AM CET
Répondre à : infinityapartmentrentals@googlemail.com [Errors when replying to ads?]

This spacious two bedroom apartment is located on a high floor (elevator) of a modern building located around the corner from the famous Palais Royal square and gardens. The apartment is a few minute’s walk from the Louvre, Les Halles, the Seine, and a number of famous galeries. The apartment is furnished with two high quality twin beds that can be made into a queen size bed for couples, an elegantly furnished living room, a small open kitchen, with a counter pass-through to facilitate meal preparation and dining. The kitchen has a refrigerator, microwave, cook-top and dishwasher. The remodeled bathroom has a full bathtub, shower and washing machine. High speed internet (WiFi) access, Cable tv, and telephone service (including calls to the US, Canada, most European countries, Australia, Japan and China) is included. Sleeps up to 5 people.

Director:Richar Craig

Email:infinityapartmentrentals@googlemail.com

Tel: +44 (0) 7519569598

Fax: +44 208 181 6081

* cats are OK – purrr
* dogs are OK – wooof
* Lieu : Central france
* Vous N’êtes PAS autorisé à contacter l’annonceur à l’origine de cette offre au sujet d’autres services ou intérêts commerciaux.

PostingID: 1469645107

Il a d’autres posts que des SCAMS :
http://paris.fr.craigslist.org/vac/1469649804.html
A Londres aussi des SCAMS :
http://london.craigslist.co.uk/vac/1467939280.html
http://london.craigslist.co.uk/vac/1467938347.html
http://london.craigslist.co.uk/vac/1467937081.html
http://london.craigslist.co.uk/vac/1467939539.html
http://london.craigslist.co.uk/vac/1467937488.html
http://london.craigslist.co.uk/vac/1467932330.html

WARNING: fake rentals like this one all over Craigslist Paris

EUR800 / 2br – Apartment For Rent In Paris

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Date : 2009-10-23, 9:55PM CEST
Répondre à : hous-aatuv-1434684539@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

Brand New, Beautiful 2 Beds, 2 Baths unit available immediately. Hardwood Flooring in Living, Dining, Granite Countertop in Kitchen and Stainless Steel Appliances. Price includes locker and parking and use of 6 appliances.

Large Balcony
Walk to subway
Major hospitals

Contact me for more Details

Scammer warning: Robert Arthur Kindell

 

Thanks to a Scamwatch reader for this warning:

Please warn everybody about this scammer. Robert Arthur Kindell (robert.kindell53@gmail.com) says he’s the owner of a nice flat in Sydney but currently overseas. He wants to rent his place for AUD 1000 per months including all utilities. This sounds too good to be true, and it is!

 

 

Robert wrote:

 91 Liverpool street. The contract is standard, no special terms or requests and will come once with the keys. I would need your scanned passport and driver license.

Regards
.
On Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 11:29 PM, [name withheld] wrote:   

[Hide Quoted Text]

Dear Robert,

Sorry I forgot to ask you for the excact address of your apt.

Thanks!

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Quoting [name withheld]

Dear Robert,

The description of your procedure makes really sense and we would like to proceed as you suggest. However, this is an important agreement for both of us, therefore I was wondering if we could talk to each other at short notice. Please, do not get me wrong. I do not want to make it complicated, but just would like to get to know you a little (You probably would also like to get to know us?). Moreover, could you send me a draft of your contract by e-mail? For us, it is very important to have a mutual understanding of the agreement with you, as we were offered another apt this morning and will cancel that, if we make our decision to sign a contract with you.

Thank you for understanding,

[name withheld]

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Quoting Robert Arthur Kindell <robert.kindell53@gmail.com>:

 Like I said, I will pay for a 2 days delivery so you will receive the

Keys and the contract signed by me right away.I will explain to you step by step how this will work.

1) First you will have to send me your full name and address. I will need them for the shipping.

2) I go to the TNT store and leave the Keys and the contract onto your

name as the intended receiver.

3) TNT will check the envelope to see if everything is OK with it and

also the legal papers that will come along with the Keys.

4) TNT will send you a delivery notification to let you know they have

the Keys and the papers in their custody.

5) At this point you will have to go to a Western Union Agent

Location and make a money deposit on the TNT payment agent name for the amount  we agreed (first month + 1000 bond deposit) .

6 ) After you make the deposit you will have to send the info about the

money deposit to TNT (MTCN, sender’s name and address)

7) TNT will verify the payment information and if everything is in order they will deliver the Keys and the contract to you .

8 ) After you receive the package , You will go and check the apt and in 2 days you must contact them and tell them if you keep the apt or not, if all is in order you will instruct TNT to send me the information about the money deposit and I will be able to receive the funds . If you don`t like the apt they will send your money back to you and you will send them the keys and the contract to them.

I will pay TNT for the shipping and you will pay Western Union for the Money Transfer fee .

Let me know if we can do this.

Thank you,

.

On Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 10:29 AM, [name withheld] wrote:

Dear Robert,

Your apartment look great! Let’s see how we can make it work. I checked out that link you sent. I don’t know exactly which TNT solution you mean, however, if we could see your apartment before we decide (as you explained), this would be really great. Please tell me what TNT solution you have in mind. (How the solution works. I have to admit that I’m also under time pressure. This morning I

received a call from an agent that I can move into another apartment I applied for. (Lease would start 20/06) So I also don’t have any time to waste

Maybe I could give you a call and we could sort everything out? Please

send me your landline (or mobile phone number). You can also give me a call

landline : +61 XXXX or mobile + 61 XXXX 

I’m looking forward to talking to you,

[name withheld]

.

Your message:

Obviously we need a way to complete this deal that will allow us to make sure we receive what we are after. I have found a way for us to complete the deal safe and fast, and in this way you will receive the Keys in less than 2 days, if you  move fast as well. The solution is provided by a company called TNT which is similar to Fedex, DHL or UPS, which will handle the payment and delivery of the Keys. I have found a procedure that will allow us to make a fast and safe deal and through this way you will see it and decide if you will stay in the apt or not before I receive my payment. Please click on the link bellow to the TNT website to see how we can complete the deal safely and fast directly from the website of the company where the procedure is explained:

http://www.tnt.com/express/en_gb/site/home/services.html

Let me know if you are interested please because I really need to take

care of this matter by the end of the next week.

Regards,

 

SCAM ALERT: EUR400 / 1br – Fully Furnished One Bedroom Apartment For Rent (Paris)

Yet another warning on Craigslist:

EUR400 / 1br – SCAM!!! 1br – Fully Furnished One Bedroom Apartment For Rent (Paris)

 

Reply to:hous-gpfdh-1185245050@craigslist.org 

Date: 2009-05-23, 6:31PM CEST

Be aware – the posting with the above headline is a scam!!! He claims the apartment is located on 7 rue du Gros Caillou, Paris 75007, France and the guy’s name (at least right now!) is Mark Richardson. His mobile # is from Nigeria. 

The guy claims to have moved to West Africa and taken the keys with him, hence you can only view the apartment from the outside. The rent is €400 PER MONTH, because he only cares about you taking care of his newly renovated apartment while he is 3 years in West Africa with his job. When you answer his questions, you get approved straight away and he then asks you to wire deposit and 1st month rent €800 via Western Union or Money Gram. Read the fraud guidelines on Craigslist …. NEVER wire money via Western Union or Money Gram to a stranger – it is ALWAYS a scam. When it looks to good to be true – it always is! 

NEW WARNING: Jose Stephany Ferrari / Ferrari Stephany Jose

Scamwatch issued an alert about this scammer back in 2008, but new victims continue to come forward. This posting appeared today on the Lonely Planet forum. We can only say it again: NEVER SEND MONEY VIA WESTERN UNION:

       

Hi All,

I posted an ad on Craigslist looking for an apartment to rent in Paris for the upcoming long Easter weekend. After sorting through many responses, we found an affordable place in a good location. The person offering the apartment sent us a photocopy of her passport and a legitimate tenancy contract. She also sent the full address of the apartment and photos of the place.

They asked for the rent and security deposit upfront, which wasn’t a lot of cash. We talked them down on the security deposit. We didn’t think this was fishy considering we did the same thing when successfully renting an apartment in London.

After signing the tenancy agreement, we sent the money via western union to who they said was their lawyer in Madrid, Spain. The woman said it was her mother’s apartment that she was renting out and that her mother lived in London. We had requested that we give the money to her mother in person since we also live in London, but they refused to do this. They said she was too busy to meet up. I figured she might not want to meet strangers, but also thought she would appreciate meeting the people who would be staying at her flat.

Since sending the money, we haven’t heard a word from the woman we were speaking with. We have contacted her via email 4-5 times in the last week with no response. We have tried tracking down phone numbers for her, the lawyer and the mother as we have their names and addresses – or what we think are real names and addresses.

We feel like this might be a scam now. What do we do? We are booking hotel reservations as back up. But we are not happy about the potential of losing all of our money!!

.

- – - – - – - – - – - – - 

Looks like we were officially scammed. The woman we dealt with shows up on a list of online scammers: 

Jose Stephany Ferraria [Ferrari Stephany Jose]

If only we had checked that first.

http://parishousingscamwatch.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/updated-list-of-scammers-lurking-on-craigslist-paris/

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The complete thread appears here.

An earlier Scamwatch warning appears here. 

Craigslist scam warning

By Lauren Petty, NBCConnecticut.com, (Hartford, CT) Thurs., Jan. 29, 2009

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When looking for a new place to live, Casey Guthrie headed online to craigslist.com. He found an adorable house, not far from the beach, in Milford.

“I contacted the people and they informed me they were from Nigeria and they were missionaries,” Guthrie said.

.

Immediately wary, Guthrie sat back down at the computer at this New London house and went online again. This time he went to the Milford town website and did a property search.

.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

BEWARE of fake Rev Paul Rice on Craigslist

Well-known scammer Rev Paul Rice (revpaul_rice@y7mail.com) has been making the rounds on Craigslist Stockholm. Also posts as  jackson_white@y7mail.com. Beware!

From: Rev paul Rice <revpaul_rice@y7mail.com>
Date: Wed, Jan 28, 2009  
Subject: Re: stockholm flat

Good Day,

          Thanks for the reply and interest in my apartment,I am the
owner of the apartment you are making enquiry of, Actually I resided in the apartment with my little boy 12years old and presently we had packed  because i had a job contract to do in West africa and it will last for 2 to 3 years.

Address: Lilla Nygatan 6, 11128 Stockholm, Sweden.
Nearest Metro / Subway: Gamla Stan – 200 Meters
Nearest Bus / Tramway: Gamla Stan – 30
Nearest Airport: Arlanda - 35 Kilometers

Presently my apartment is still available for rent at 4000Sek the
security deposit is 2,000Sek including the Utilities like
Hydro,washer, heat etc. I came along with all the keys and document of the apartment because i had no time to look for a trusted and capable agent to hand over my key and documents too.

You can stay in the apartment for as long as you desire because i have a lot to do here in West Africa Is that okay with you? So i will solicit for your absolute maintainance of this apartment and want you to treat it as yours,i hope this is clear to you is not all about the money,but i want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat when i come for a check up.

You can stay in the apartment for as longs as you wish.and the below is the final question that you must answer to qualify for the rent of my apartment.

RENT APPLICATION FORM

1)Your Full Name—————————-
2)Your Full Address………..
2)Phone Number————————-
3)How old are you?———————
4)Are you married?——————————–
5)How many people will be living in the apartment?——————
6)Do you have a pet?———————————
7)Do you have a car?————————————-
8)Occupation?———————————
9)Driving licence#—————————

Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file for issuing the monthly payment receipt for you and contacting you.

Please i am giving you all this base on trust,you know that we have not seen yet and i am only putting everything into God’s hand.

So please do not let us down in our property and God bless you more as you do this.

Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the
document and the key to you.

Call me now on this number to talk better……+2347026002689.

Thanks and God bless.

 

original ad:

 

SEK4000 / 2br – Apartment available for rent NOW (Stockholm)

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Reply to: revpaul_rice@y7mail.com 
Date: 2009-01-12, 7:17PM CET          

Apartment from the sixteenth century, situated in the absolute centre of Stockholm: Gamla Stan/Old Town, only 200 meters from the Royal Palace. Renovated and equipped with facilities for 4 persons

 

BEWARE of scammer Anita Staples

A warning about a scammer using the alias Anita Staples appeared on Craigslist Paris recently.  The same scam has been running on Gumtree in Cape Town. Here’s the pitch:

Hello 

Thanks for your email response. The apartment is still available for rent for €450.I inherited the apartment from my late Husband.I lived in the apartment Only Because am Single,am a Teacher in (Paris) so they transfer me to West Africa Teach a University.i Teach French,Spanish,i will there for about 3 or 4Years .i just need someone with an open heart,love and clean to occupy the apartment and put all my worries off concerning the maintenance of the apartment for, since i am not residing there for now.I left behind some Facilities and electronics which you have to pay for the subscription, and a DVD player, air conditioning, alarm system. The kitchen is fully equipped with all necessary cooking utensils, a refrigerator-freezer, four-hob and oven, microwave,dishwasher and washing machine, My 

Computer Connected with Internet Access Also the keys to the condo are right here with me, and the lease document. Which i can send to you after all necessary agreement has be accepted. Also i will like you to know that the rent charges is not really the issue , but your absolute maintenance of my apartment , because that is the only valuable property my late Husband left behind, and it also took him so much time and money to put all those facilities in place. 

1 BEDROOM apartment : 

Private Location 

Newer Carpet 

Marble Floors in Kitchen and Bath 

New Paint 

Complex Amenities Include 

Laundry 

Laundry room 

Parking 

Assigned 

Terms: 

Lease Terms: month to month 

Ready for move-in now! 

Property Information Type: Apartments for Bedroom 

1 Bedrooms 6th floor, very sunny and quiet, with wooden floor. Large living room (leather sofa, glass table + 4 chairs and plasma TV). One medium-sized rooms with double bed. There is a small one room that is connected to the kitchen and it has an individual bed (good for guests, however it does not have enough privacy for permanent use). Kitchen of origin (not reformed), but fully equipped and with vitro ceramic. Large bathroom of origin (not reformed) with washing machine. The living room has a small balcony facing an indoor patio. Lease Availability: 

Immediate Lease Terms: How Long 

Application Fee: 

Deposit: €450 

Rent: €450 per month 

Policies Pets: 

Call for details Smoking: 

Exterior Outdoor: Parking: 

-1 Dedicated Parking Spaces Community: 

Handicap Accessible 

Access Gate 

So if you are interested in the apartment you get back to me by 

filling the Rent Application Form below okay, 

RENT APPLICATION FORM 

1)Your Full Name: 

2)Your Full Address & Phone Number: 

3)How old are you?: 

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)How many months contract?: 

10)your picture and your wife picture? 

LOCATION & AREA 

This apartment is perfectly located for both shopping and cultural activities: the chic and trendy Bon Marche department store is just a few steps away, as well as the Saint Germain des Prs church and the trendiest shops in Paris… 

Have a coffee on the terrace of the Caf de Flore, lunch at Brasserie Lipp, and then why not go and relax in the famous Jardins du Luxembourg (park in the heart of Saint Germain des Pres) that are only 50m away(you can even book a tennis court!) Discover the city on foot,  or why not rent a velib’? (Paris bike rentals) 

Address: 21 rue de Fleurus, Paris 75006, France 

Nearest Metro / Subway: Saint Placide – 50 Meters 

Nearest Airport: Orly – 20 Kilometers 

Accommodation located in city, leisure area, old town, near 

restaurants & bars, near cultural interest, near historical interest, near tennis courts,jardins du luxembourg, saint sulpice, saint germain des prs, near shopping area ! 

Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you and 

contacting you.Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the key to you, please we are giving you all this base on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words, you know that, we do not see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand, so please do not let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this. 

Best Regards. 

Yours Faithfully 

Mrs Anita Staples 

+(234)-808-898-9656 & #+0112348088989656…

WARNING: new scammer Camille Hegoburu

A well-known scammer and identity thief is now making the rounds under a new alias, Camille Hegoburu, using the following IP addresses: 41.219.234.176, 41.219.230.100, 41.219.192.236, 41.219.203.17 and 41.219.236.208  – all based in Lagos, Nigeria. Have a look at the correspondance sent in by a Scamwatch reader. Don’t be a victim!

This was the first reply mail:

From: camille Hegoburu <camillehegoburu@yahoo.com>

Date: 13 January 2009 0.58

Subject: About the colocation in Paris

Hello ,

Am Camille Hegoburu,22 years old.my parent lives in Paris ,i stays in London before but since the death of my Dad i have to relocate down to Paris in other to be take care of my Mum and after she left for London,i have been taking care of the flat.

I thanks so much for the mail and interest in my flat and ,i have been pretty busy in UK for my internship, i but i will be back in couple of weeks,cos this is my last session at the school.

However, the flat is located at (11, Rue de Marignan -75008 Paris)the flat will be available from January, but i can reserve the room for you till when you are ready to move in.the flat has two bedrooms available and each room has a very bid bed that can sleep two people with a television connected to cable,a small refrigerator apart from a big freezer in the kitchen a private bathroom with toilet drawer.

However the apartment itself has the following foryour benefit:a big living room fully furnished with a television connected to cable,internet facility available ,in all the two rooms if you have a laptop you can bring along and connect as well, the transport facilities are quite ok the area as there is a tube station close to the flat.

Am sending to you some pictures hope you will love it?and i will send to you a rental agreement form to see what next to do,you may have to pay for a security deposit of and for one month rent in advance to show some seriousness that you really want this flat, and if you need a room you are welcome, so that i can reserve either the flat or the room for you for the period you want cos a lot of people have wasted my time on this issue and i really want to deal with people who are serious and genuinely interested in the room, i hope you understand me?thanks once again for the interest in my room while waiting to read from you.

Regards,

 

Camille

————————————————–

My first reply:

Hello Camille,

thank you for the answer!

I’m interested in one of the two rooms…Charges (internet, tv,

electricity, heat etc..) are included in the 500 €/month?

I’ll get in Paris on the afternoon of february the 1st, you’ll be there?

I’m waiting for the photos!

Thanks again,

[name withheld]

———————————————————

Her second reply:

Hello ,                                                                 

                                                                         

Thanks for the reply and the interest in my room, am attaching to this  mail some of the flat picture i hope you will like it? as i stated in my previous mail am not in Paris for now, but if you want to proceed then  we can .                                                                   

                  

The monthly rent of 500€ include all the bills and charges for a month ,and this fee is for a room , with the sum of 650€ for the security refundable deposit.                                                                 

The flat is located in  11, Rue de Marignan – 75008 Paris.          The nearest metro station is Alma-Marceau Metro station,  and its About 5mins walk from the flat.                                               

                                                                         

I have seen people who told me that they will pay  us upon seeing  the  flat, promising me that money is not the problem or that their company is

paying or they are financially buoyant to pay the rent and then i took  permission to be absent from my school, when we meet and after seeing my apartment,they definitely fall in love with it but they don’t have money to pay, i dont know how people are so unserious and take pleasure in wasting other peoples time,they will start pleading with me and telling me all  their problems as regards finances and how they cannot pay until a certain period of time which of course will make me compassionate and i would be forced to help a fellow human being of accommodation at my own detriment.

                                                                         

I hope you understand the way i feel about this issues, people have   deceived me into giving them rooms free and i will not fall for it   again.If you are serious in renting the room, you will have to pay in  advance to my mother in London  ,Before making  the payment their some procedure we have to undergo If truly you are ready to rent the room,I will have to tell our family lawyer to prepare a Tenant Agreement Form and a receipt for the deposit which i will fill and sign   and our family lawyer will

witness ,I will scan it and send to you for to sign and send back to me.I will need the following information.         

1) The photocopy of your ID Card                                         

2) your arriver date and departure date                                 

3) your home address.The purpose of this address ,is for me to send the tenant agreement form back to you,so that you can come with your own copy of it.                                                                

4) your phone number

                                                                         

Best regards, 

Camille

——————————————————

After I asked for some other details and this is her last reply:

Hello  [name withheld],

 

Thanks for your much interest in my room and the quick respond to my mails , i hope we would eventually becomes my tenant,  i will be glad to have a perfect person like you as my next tenant ,for you sound nice and interesting to have as tenant .

 

Am attaching to this mail a copy of the rental agreement form in which  i will advise you to read carefully cos this will constitute to the basic terms and conditions of our contract , and if you are okay with it then you  can now proceed with signing it, and resend it back to me via e-mail  and proceed with the payment to my mother   in London via either Money gram transfer agent or  western union money transfer agent, as have i said in my previous mail,and after the payment have been confirm i will now fax or post to you a receipt of payment and a signed rental agreement form which you will bring along when coming to the flat on February 1st 2009. i hope you understand?and immediately the payment as been confirmed i will begin to get ready to come and fix you in on you arrival date. get back to me  if you have any question.

below is the address that you will send the money to :

 

Mrs Sarah Hegoburu,

23, Wyndham St,

London,

W1H 1ED.

 

When will you be able to do the transfer so that i can plan my schedule ahead and to send to you all other necessary documents  ,so as to avoid delay on my own part. i will be waiting to receive the information that you receive from the after transferring the money,informations  like the senders name total amounts send, the transfer code, for me to be able to forward the details to my mother to confirm the payment before my leaving for Paris.Will you like me to send the documents  via courier service  or fax ?can i use the previous  address ?,  if you prefer post, and   i will need your fax number if you want fax.

Regards,

Camille

.

——————————-

.

Update:

Just some hours ago, he sent me the bank details of his hypothetical lawyer, because of my refuse to send money to London via money transfer:

.

Name-Jayne Bridgwood

Sort code-20 77 62

Account number – 50846236

IBAN number- GB49 BARC 2077 6250 8462 36

SWIFTBIC NUMBER – BARCGB22

Bank Name-barclays bank stratford road shirley solihull westmidlands

Slick Web scammer leaves Bend man out $3,600

By Zack Hall / The Bulletin (Bend, OR), January 08, 2009 

Ed Harman is a trusting person by nature.

So when a person claiming through e-mail to be a doctor in England said he was moving to the United States and wanted to rent Harman’s southeast Bend townhome that Harman had placed on Craigslist, the 65-year-old longtime Bend resident believed him.

It was a mistake that cost Harman nearly $4,000.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

New Scam Out Of Africa Rents Homes On Craigslist

by Rick Sallinger, cbs4denver.com (Denver, CO), December 2, 2008

DENVER (CBS4) ― Some homeowners in the Denver area have seen their houses offered for rent by someone else on Craigslist. It’s another in a series of scams that appear to be based in the African country of Nigeria.

Builder John Kurowski’s real estate agent got a call from someone who spotted an ad on Craigslist. One look at the price in the ad and it was clear it was a scam. The ad listed the price as $1,300 a month for a five-bedroom, incredibly charming home. But the real owner, Kurowski, never placed such an ad.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Latest Internet Scam: Homes for Rent

ABC NEWS Business Unit

Sept. 12, 2008—

Last month Val Dennis was searching the Internet for a new place to live when she stumbled on the perfect deal: a nice house, in the right neighborhood at a great price.

Almost too perfect.

After talking with the landlord she wired a deposit to Nigeria and got one step closer to moving in. Unfortunately, she stumbled into the latest twist in the long history of Internet scams: a housing ad that looks legitimate but is just really a way to part people and their money.

Dennis is out $650 and still searching for a new home

To read the rest of the story, click here.

BEWARE: Marisa Schneider and Delphine Rabaste

Two new scammers using aliases Marisa Scheider and Delphine Rabaste are currently active on Craigslist Paris, responding to housing wanted ads with brief, poorly written scam pitches. Here’s what they send out, along with the IP and location details for their emails. AVOID!!

From: Marisa Schneider
Date: September 11, 2008 6:40:06 PDT
Subject: apartment for rent in paris

Bonjour,
i have a lovely apartment for rent in the city of paris ,if you really need the place urgently,kindly contact me back for more infromation of the aprtment

.

Originating IP address: 196.36.235.16 (South Africa)

and

From: Rabaste Delphine
Date: September 11, 2008 16:26:23 PDT
Subject: 2 bedrooms apartment in Paris 5eme

Hi
i have 2 bedrooms apartment t rent in Paris city center the apartment is well furnished with facilities in it if you are interested then get back to me for more details

.

Originating IP address 41.219.203.167 (Lagos, Nigeria)

WARNING about “Barrister Herbert Anthony ESQ”

Scammer Barrister Herbert Anthony ESQ (lawyerherbert@live.com) claims to be a lawyer in London. But in fact, he writes from IP address 83.229.69.155, which corresponds to ISP Nigeria Choizcom. This ruthless scammer makes a pathetic attempt to look “legal” by plastering his messages with symbols of justice. BEWARE!

FROM: BARRISTER HERBERT ANTHONY(ESQ) HERBERT ANTHONY  ASSOCIATES.
4 Albert Embankments, London SE1 7SR, United Kingdom

.

I have furnished one bedroom apartment in Paris to offer 
you.Apartment has one bedroom,living room,bathroom,kitchen,dining room.
 
The rent is 800Eur/month including utilities.
 
Let me know if you are interested.
 
Pictures will be sent upon request.
 
Yours Faithfully,
Barrister Herbert Anthony ESQ
My direct phone number is:00 44 7031 857468

Herbert Anthony’s decorative elements, apparently added to provide a “legal feel” – no joke!

Bed and Breakfast Scam on Craigslist Paris

This warning about a bogus bed & breakfast offered by someone using the name Sean Kirkham recently appeared on Craigslist. BEWARE!

Reply to: hous-809443590@craigslist.org 

Date: 2008-08-24, 12:24AM CEST

EUR50 Bed and Breakfast Scam (Paris)

Hi! I just got back from paris where I had rented a room in a bed and breakfast through Craig’s List. When I got to the address, the place was actually owned by a French couple. The police were familiar with this guy–Sean Kirkham–because apparently I was the third person that week with the same story AND he has stolen a fair amount of money from an adjacent bank. So…be careful! I’m attaching the ad below!

. 

The original scam ad:

.

EUR50 / 3br – Amazing Bed and Breakfast in the Heart of Paris!! (Paris, Ille-de-France)            

Reply to: hous-809017685@craigslist.org  
Date: 2008-08-23, 9:56AM CEST 

We are a small bed & breakfast, just three rooms. We offer Free Internet access (cable & wireless – bring your laptop along), separate bathrooms, and a full continental breakfast (buffet) included. We provide you with towels, bathrobes, hairdryer, tourist maps, … and a warm welcome. 

The Main bedroom boasts a queen-size bed, a 20-inch flat screen TV, DVD player and sound system, and unique architectural details like a natural stone wall and a quaint Romeo and Juliet balcony that overlooks the lush courtyard. 

The price is 50 Euro per night (one person) or 60 Euro per night (two persons). Reductions are possible when staying more than 3 nights. 

 

More information about Sean Kirkham’s B&B scam can be found here.

.

UPDATE: another warning has since been posted on Craigslist about the same scam being perpetrated under a different name:

 

EUR50 B & B in Paris – Buyer Beware!!!! (Marais)

Reply to: see below 

Date: 2008-09-12, 3:08PM CEST

Do not book a room with anyone who is offering a room in a B and B on Rue du Renard. He is a complete scam and will ask for 50 euro deposit but when you go there is no place. He will ask for the money through paypal, he will send you nice pictures of the place and will respond to your emails with details about the place and what a great choice you made. His email is billmckennainparis@gmail.com 

We have just also learned he goes by Sean Kirkham. 

Keep in mind that he will change his email and the location of the B & B but don’t pay anyone through paypal. We have also filed a complaint with the FBI and they are opening an investigation. So if you have also been frauded contact the FBI to further the case! 

New scam warnings: Doris Miller

Scammer Doris Miller runs the same scam in London and Amsterdam:

doris_miller890@yahoo.com

On Sat, Aug 2, 2008 at 2:33 AM, Doris Miller <doris_millerr890@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hello, 

  

   I am Doris ,from London . I saw your advert ( looking for a 1 bedroom ).I have a 1 bedroom in total + kitchen+toilets,the apartment  is fully furnished with (gas, washing machine , fridge, tv, dvd, beds) which is  located in the city area belonging to my Father in-law .He built the apartment when he was working but he has retired from work now,he will like to rent the apartment out to someone who can take good care of all the facilities he kept in it .If you are interested kindly mail me back for more info and  i will like to know where you are located ..

 

 

Doris

.

On Sat, Aug 2, 2008 at 1:33 AM, Doris Miller <doris_miller890@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hello, 

  

   I am Doris ,from Amsterdam . I saw your advert ( looking for a 1 bedroom ).I have a 1 bedroom in total + kitchen+toilets,the apartment  is fully furnished with (gas, washing machine , fridge, tv, dvd, beds) which is  located in the city area belonging to my Father in-law .He built the apartment when he was working but he has retired from work now,he will like to rent the apartment out to someone who can take good care of all the facilities he kept in it .If you are interested kindly mail me back for more info and  i will like to know where you are located ..

 

 

Doris

.

The pic of the apartment is attached on the file of these message. My Father in-law is the owner of the apartment is on a tour to the western coast of africa and will only come back to visit the apartment occasionally  .The rent will cost you 550 euros/month,we will needing 450 euro from your first month rent it will be paid to the lawyer, he will use to secure the apartment for you and also preapare all necessary papers for your stay in the apartment  so that when come you just move into the apartment without any problem. The balance will be paid at your convinent time,you may be the only one that will stay but if you do not wish to stay alone the other room will be rented out to the next applicant .The apartment has all the necessary amenities you will need (internet service, washing machine and so on ).The lawyer will need 100% of the  payment so that the apartment will be secured as soon as possible for you. You are the first to apply for the apartment and my Father in-law has just instructed me to give the apartment out to you and i will like to tell you that you have to act fast in paying the payment so that the apartment can be secure for you.I may wait for you at the airport if you will be coming through that way or we meet in convinent place so that we come to view the apartment. The apartment is located in Jordaan 100m from the Noordermarket and Prinsengracht in the centre of town and the payment  will made to the lawyer as soon as possible, so that all the necessary document will be process as soon as possible .I will need your full name ,contact address and phone that we will use in the preparation of the document ,i await you response asap.thanks 

Doris

.

Thanks to a Scam Watch Reader for this warning.  Also beware of anyone using these email addresses:

.

 

annah.smith85@yahoo.com

bradgeorge209@yahoo.com

brandyshaw111@yahoo.com

brigidasmi@yahoo.com

chicagogodwin@yahoo.com

christamber@yahoo.com

collinsalbert08@gmail.com

colomboapartment@googlemail.com

corly81@yahoo.com

david_mark1920@yahoo.com

dericluv102@yahoo.com

dominic.marshall@live.com

dr.timothy90@gmail.com

emmanueljackson29@yahoo.com

enprive@gmail.com

ericchek@gmail.com

fmiller72@yahoo.com

freebeez@rocketmail.com

geve_boo@yahoo.com

godismighty@ymail.com

gunkyrevs@yahoo.com

jacob.hall000@gmail.com

jerrycoal06@gmail.com

joanne_belly1234@yahoo.es

karenwales222@yahoo.com

kudianaibro900@yahoo.com

kvnkarin6@gmail.com

m4arethas00@gmail.com

m4berth@gmail.com

michala86@googlemail.com

mike_morphychamberx@yahoo.com

mllot002@yahoo.com

mllot002@yahoo.com

mt.huch@gmail.com

nelsen.john@yahoo.com

nicholas_ben07@yahoo.com

parisviproom@gmail.com

pdonladson360@yahoo.co.uk

Phelan.nilson@yahoo.com

picard.rue@gmail.com

renee_presy@ymail.com

richard.lewis001@yahoo.com

rollandwallat@gmail.com

ronaldrushton57@yahoo.com

ronaldrushton58@yahoo.com

rupert_beckley@fastermail.com

s.hollis45@rocketmail.com

samhollis@ymail.com

sarthhom@gmail

smith.gamer1@gmail.com

stonezjamin@yahoo.com

thompson.junior@rocketmail.com

thomyjn@ymail.com

tina.johnson@fsmail.net

van_nelson121@yahoo.com

webloveletters@gmail.com

workwithmiles@yahoo.com

 

WARNING: new scammer Jude Wesley

Scammer Jude Wesley writes using email address wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com. He claims to have an apartment to rent in Paris  but writes from IP address 82.128.20.187, Nigeria Multi-links Telecommunications, a black-listed ISP in Lagos, Nigeria–known as a hotbed of scammers. Don’t fall for this scam!

Here’s the Craigslist ad:

EUR900 Furnished Apartment for rent in Paris France

Reply to: wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com
Date: 2008-08-04, 1:44PM CEST

Furnished apartment for rent in paris france,the apartment consists of a well furnished reception room,well utilized kitchen,3 bedrooms with sitting room , bathroom and toilet, with all home utilities,to have this apartment for rent email me wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com
 

Here’s the scammer’s reply to a request for photos:

From: Jude Wesley <wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com

Subject: Re: EUR900 Furnished Apartment for rent in Paris France

Received: Monday, August 4, 2008, 5:59 PM

.

Here is the Part of the Apartment,,Hope to hear from you

again and let me know your Wishes about My Apartment..

Jude  

 

Fake apartment photo used in this Nigerian rental scam. The scammer claims to rent this place for the unbelievable price of 900 euros per month.

 

The scammer then gets impatient:

From: Jude Wesley <wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com>

Subject: Re: EUR900 Furnished Apartment for rent in Paris France

Received: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 8:36 AM

.

Thanks for the message and here is An Apartment and are you

interest in my Apartment or Not

.

Evidently, he’s mixing up Paris and some place in the U.S.:

.

From: Jude Wesley <wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com>

Subject: Re: EUR900 Furnished Apartment for rent in Paris France

Received: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 1:45 PM

.

Thanks again….My Apartment is located at

West River Road,Estate in Paris ,,Hope you going to like

something kool and silence place to Live and hope to hear

from you again 

 

 

Jude

.

When asked to describe the neighbourhood, here’s what he had to say:

.

From: Jude Wesley <wesleybrowns200@fastermail.com>

Subject: Re: EUR900 Furnished Apartment for rent in Paris France

Received: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 9:59 PM

.

Thanks for the mail again,,,I want you to know that there isn’t any neighbourhood in an Apartment it’s just contain 3 bedroom together with Husband and wife only,,I built this house for me and my wife alone with my Daughter but fortunately i went for a Crusade in the West Africa and i will like you to get in touch with my wife in the USA Brooklyn in New York for more discussion as She is with the keys and the document to the house.Pls i want you to note that,I am a kind of Honest man and also I spent alot on my property that i want to give you for rent,so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of the house and want you to take care of the house as your own,I want you to keep the house tidy all the time so that I will be glad  to see it neat when I come for a check up.I do that once in a while.I also want you to let me have trust in you as I always stand on my word. Email my wife Mrs Agnes Jude on agnesluvjude19@yahoo.com and she will attend to you better with more information…

Thanks and you are welcome.

.

New York woman charged in Nigerian scam

.

Mailed fake checks to 500, cops say

.

By John Sullivan

Times Herald-Record, NY

July 30, 2008

Blooming Grove — It all ended for Joyce Somoza with two fake checks and an ad for a puppy.

The puppy ad was a typical target for an international fraud ring that uses the Internet to lure both victims and accomplices, Blooming Grove police said.

According to Detective Brett Weeden, the perpetrators were scam artists out of Nigeria who roped people like Somoza in with the lure of easy money.

Information gathered from the investigation, which included Somoza’s statements to the detective, outlined the scam this way:

Somoza, 53, of Vails Gate, answered a Yahoo classified job ad in April that turned out to be placed by a Nigerian scam ring. She agreed to be a participant in the ring as a mule.

Her first job was to mail out blank money orders and cashier’s checks in $850 and $3,600 amounts to a list of victims provided to her by the ring. She sent out the bad checks to the victims, using fraudulent return addresses also provided to her by the ring.

Her second job was to pick up Western Union wire transfers at various locations, send some of the cash to Nigeria and pocket the rest, about $100-$200 per theft, for herself.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

WARNING: avoid jamekelvin@yahoo.com

Another scam ad on Craigslist, this one using photos stolen from a legitimate Parisian rental agency. Beware!

Reply to: jamekelvin@yahoo.com

EUR850 Paris Apartment Studio Trocadero – Champs Elysees (Paris )

---

This charming, Louis XVI atmosphere, 36 square meters studio apartment is located rue Copernic in the 16th arrondissement, on the 1st French floor of 19th century building and it sleeps 2 people. This apartment is equipped with : A/C, Unlimited high speed Internet access (wifi), Phone, Cable TV, DVD, Safety Box, Several room services (laudry, shopping, delivery) 
Also provided : Bed linens, Blankets, Pillows, Towels and Kitchen utensils.     

Subway: Victor Hugo – Area: Champs Elysées This apartment is located rue Coprenic Considered as the most beautiful Avenue of the World, in the 8th arrondissement, all the biggest brands are on the “Champs”: Gap, Sephora, Louis Vuitton…. Behind of the Avenue, you will discover small and chic streets with very select bars and restaurants, as well as many shops and stores : Bakeries, Butchers, Supermarkets, Theaters, , Drugstores. Close to the Champs-Elysées, Avenue Montaigne is probably the world’s best place for luxury shopping, with flagship stores of the greatest couturiers in Paris (Christian Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton) and from the entire world (Calvin Klein, Versace, Gucci,…) Many shops and stores are close to the apartment : Bakery, Supermarket, Theater, Restaurant, Cafe, Club, Doctor, Drugstore 

Paris Apartment Studio