AIBU to ask for help? Is this money scam?

[31weeksgone]

I’m desperately looking for somewhere to move out but can’t afford hefty estate agents fee’s - been looking on gumtree for private rents in the area.


LOVE this mans flat and have had a sneaky drive by and seen that it’s there/seems empty etc. He says he lives abroad think close abroad France etc and he wants someone to take his property in England.

But got the following message (it’s quite long sorry) on one hand it seems like a scam. On the other hand I can see why. If I didn’t send him the reference number or details then surely he cant access the money?


We could meet and maybe sign the tenancy agreement next Sunday 28th but you see, due to previous predicament that I have gone through in the past trying to rent the property to some students, I have got to realize that many people are not really in need of an apartment all they do is secure a place in advance, my last experience in trying to rent the property to a particular lady had got me to predicate on these, she made me believe she was willing and ready to get the apartment she even went to the extend of showing me her statement of account, which made me took her for the viewing but after taking her for the viewing, she saw the apartment and got to love it and never wanted to loose it, so she kept pleading I retain it for her because she is not financially composed at the moment, which I did but ended up disastrously.
So basically for me to be sure of you been willing and ready to get the apartment I will employ you to ask a friend/family member from your country to walk into any Money Gram agency and send the total bill cash £635(for rent) to your name (NOT to ME so I can’t get it) with the destination of United Kingdom. All I need is for you to get back to me with the receipt issued to you after making the transaction so I can confirm it!
When we will meet in person to sign the papers we will go together to Money Gram and you will withdraw the cash and pay me in hand! I just need to see that you have the money available and you have serious intentions in renting the flat! If the Money Gram agent will ask them about the receiver they should tell him that you are a relative because the transfer fees will be cheaper! If they will tell them the reason they might consider this a commercial transaction and charge them more. Anyway I will pay for it either you take the flat or not! I will book the flight for next Sunday as soon as I have your positive answer.
I do apologies for that but as I told you last time when I arrived to (location removed) to show the flat to a person everything was a stupid joke and I hope you understand me because I don`t want to waste my time and money on plane tickets


What’s the verdict?

[Areyoufree]

The comedian Joe Lycett talked about a similar scam (you should look it up, as it was very funny!). But yes, this sounds like a scam to me - sorry. Of course, there's nothing to stop you from knocking on the door of the flat, to see if anyone does live there.

[Persiangirl]

SCAM!!!!!

[darkriver198868]

Sounds like a scam to me.

[checkingforballoons]

Definite scam!

[dementedpixie]

Why the hell would you do a moneygram when you could just get the cash out the bank? Sounds like a scam

[TheHobbitMum]

No genuine agent would ever ask for this, don't do it!

[LIZS]

Scam, doubt he owns it.

[Shoxfordian]

Scam scam scam

[RedHelenB]

Very poor English here, Definitely scam!

[OliviaStabler]

Definitely a scam.

[barnacharmer]

Common scam, saw it loads when I lived abroad

[FallenSky]

Definitely a scam I'm afraid. I had almost identical messages on gumtree when looking to move 8 years ago. As the saying goes, if it looks too good to be true then it probably is.

Ask yourself, as a foreign landlord, why would he go through the trouble of booking flights etc when he could just pay an agency to do it for him?

[BiscuitDrama]

But what if you didn’t like it when you viewed it, anyway?

[Iaimtomisbehave1]

Have you told him that a relative of yours will be paying for your flat once you've chosen one? Because if you've told him that, then maybe he is worried you won't get the money?

If you havnt, then he seems to be spouting rubbish!

[FallenSky]

A suggestion, try to do a reverse image search of the property pictures. You may well find that it is indeed available for rent via an estate agents and the pictures have been stolen.

[chipsandgin]

This is the Joe Lycett sketch - hilarious:

Also yes - total scam, avoid & report to Gumtree..

[RNBrie]

This is a well known scam. Please don't send him any money. Have a Google of rental scams and the wording comes up almost identically

[Graphista]

Scam!

Can I also ask if the property is below market rate for the area and no deposit required and probably happy to accept 'dss'?

Because if so there's a guy been on rogue traders/watchdog doing this all over the country - and the properties aren't even his to let! He tried it round here. I forget his name annoyingly but I think his name and photo on their website.

When we were having to move last year, dd thought she'd found us a good deal - I had to remind her if it looks too good to be true...

I then googled his name and first result was bloody watchdog!

[Tahani]

sounds VERY dodgy!!

www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/students-urged-to-watch-out-for-rental-scams

• Be sceptical if you are asked to transfer money via money transfer agents such as Western Union or Money Gram. – Their advice is clear – only use these money transfers to send money to people that you know and trust.. Also do not respond to a “Proof of funds” scam whereby you are asked to send money to a friend and then send the details of the transaction to the “landlord”. The funds can be withdrawn using forged identification and allows scammers to access the funds.

[Singlenotsingle]

I advertised a flat on gumtree once and got all sorts of dodgy replies from abroad. I never use Gumtree now. I wouldn't touch this with a bargepole!

[Tahani]

i would totally make a fake one and send that, and then wait for the fallout

[SummerGems]

Definite scam. Google the images. Chances are the flat isn’t even in the area it says it is.

The 1Show featured these a few months ago....

[Graphista]

Just had a look he's not in there now but they seem to only have most recent "appearances" on. Bugging me I can't remember his name.

[31weeksgone]

Thanks everyone, I thought if it was too good to be true it probably was.

This is the email he just sent me:

After we meet and sign the agreement and after I give you the keys we will go together to the Money Gram office you cash out the money and pay me.
I am sorry but due to my previous experiences I need this receipt from Money Gram for my peace of mind, I don't want any money on my name, or in my country, I don't want any money in advance and I am willing to reimburse you the fees. If what I ask is to much for you then I am sorry, I can not force you into anything. I will just have to look for someone else. Please think about it and let me know what is your final decision as you already know mine.


And I loved that flat so much