From: Peter James < [email protected] >
Date: Sat, Oct 9, 2010 at 4:07 PM
Subject: Rental.
To: Michelle Banks
Dear Michelle,
Calvary greetings.
My name is Elaine James, wife of Rev. Peter James.
Yes, it is still available.
The apartment placed for rental which is situated at 547, Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia, used to be our home before my husband was transferred and we had to relocate to Shanghai China for the continuation of his missionary work.
I particularly felt a deep attachment to this property and reluctantly allowed my husband to place advert for its rental. The need to keep it occupied and catered for in our absence finally weakened my resolve.
In giving out this apartment for rental, we place a high premium on keeping it clean and well catered for at all times. This to me is very important and for this consideration we are giving it out for a very reasonable price as we do not pay particular attention to high rent, believing in part, that the occupant will deem it fit to take good care of the property as if it is his/her own.
We are here now in Shanghai , China in our new home and because we were unable to reach an agreement as to renting out the property before leaving Melbourne we have to come over here with the keys to the apartment. However, we could mail this out to you if we are able to come to an agreement/conclude the rental.
The apartment is fully furnished and the rental is $320 per week, you are required to pay a deposit of 8weeks (two months) and also a security deposit of $1000, totaling $3560. You are to pay all utility bills accruing during your occupancy.
Do let me know if you are satisfied with this arrangement and also the time you need to take possession so i can forward you the rental application.
Thanks.
God bless you.
Elaine James.
The thief will tell you that you can rent his accommodation only if you can prove that you have genuine interest. He will ask you send money by wire transfer (normally Western Union) to yourself or a member of the family to show that you have sufficient finances and that you are not a "time waster".
Another variation of this scam is that you need to send money (again via Western Union) in order that the keys and other documents can be couriered to you
He will ask you to send him the transfer details.
Make no mistake ! Western Union Transfers can be picked up virtually anywhere in the world and with the minimum of identification. They are almost impossible to trace once the money has been collected. You will never get to see the accommodation or your money again.
If you are reading this because you are looking for property to rent, and you are in contact with this thief you are probably searching Gumtree or similar listing sites. If you receive any requests from 'Landlords' asking for some kind of payment by Western Union before viewing, then it will also be a scam. Please forward the mail to me at the address in my signature line and I will investigate and list them if necessary.
