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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask for help? Is this money scam?

56 replies

31weeksgone · 17/10/2018 17:34

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?

OP posts:
Theyprobablywill · 17/10/2018 17:52

Scam. I think there is a thread on Money Matters by someone who got taken in. If it seems too good to be true, it is.

Original poster
31weeksgone · 17/10/2018 17:52

I drove to the flat and it is where he said it was big glass open windows so it was where he said and there was no sign of life no possessions or anything in it so it was where he said and I did have a nosey round the property Blush but yes probably a scam. How sad and silly of me. At least I recognised it I suppose.

OP posts:
EspressoButler · 17/10/2018 17:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
31weeksgone · 17/10/2018 17:55

Reverse image searched it and nothing Shock

OP posts:
Original poster
31weeksgone · 17/10/2018 17:56

I saw the physical flat through the doors with my own eyes so I do know it’s one property and it was lovely but alas, that’s that Angry thanks everyone Wine

OP posts:
LIZS · 17/10/2018 17:58

Land registry search for owner? Only costs a few £. Of course he may be one step ahead and have adopted the identity. He may well take several "deposits" and disappear.

Original poster
31weeksgone · 17/10/2018 18:02

Not worth it if it seems dodgy just not worth the risk thanks everyone for confirming Cake

OP posts:
grannycake · 17/10/2018 18:05

Absolutely a scam. Being going on for years and if you google you'll see many examples using that script. Someone tried it with my son in Swansea earlier this year

londonrach · 17/10/2018 18:05

Scam. Dont give out money

MyDcAreMarvel · 17/10/2018 18:05

Obvious scam but am curious as to why he asks for you to withdraw money gram rather than from a bank.
Can anyone explain?

Emmageddon · 17/10/2018 18:07

Definitely a scam. A friend of mine got sucked into a similar scam with a property in North London, a studio flat with parking space and a courtyard garden for a ridiculously low rental. She, too, went to view the flat from the outside, and thought it was legitimate. It wasn't.

The dodgy use of the English language is a massive giveaway.

Spam88 · 17/10/2018 18:07

God, even if it wasn't a scam it's far too much faff...

HollowTalk · 17/10/2018 18:09

Scam. My son saw the same when he lived in Manchester a few years ago.

JollyAndBright · 17/10/2018 18:09

This is a very common scam,
The details of the flat are usually real but have been stolen from a real for sale/to let listing (often from Facebook or somewhere other than rightmove where it can’t easily be checked out)

It’s successful for the scammers because usually the victims are so desperate to find a suitable house to let that the are willing to overlook the red flags because they want to believe it’s real.
They tell you to do it in your name because you believe they can’t possibly get the money, but usually they either knock up a fake ID of will know someone at a money gram office who they can bribe.

Unfortunately a lot of people fall for this scam, and the worst part is it’s usually desperate families in low incomes.

Original poster
31weeksgone · 17/10/2018 18:09

He said he’s from Denmark living over there with property over here to rent out, guess he was trying to explain the language

It’s not too much gaff given there’s a 6 year wait for council housing in my city and I’m being mentally abused but can’t afford the deposit and can’t get a loan for a normal house. 😬😫

OP posts:
maddiemookins16mum · 17/10/2018 18:11

The poor English in the first few lines did it for me I’m afraid.

ScreamingValenta · 17/10/2018 18:11

Can anyone explain?

The money can then be withdrawn with forged ID.

ibelieveinangels · 17/10/2018 18:13

Definately a scam. I had a very similar one to that a few years ago from gumtree.

Outlookmainlyfair · 17/10/2018 18:16

Scam! My DSD got stung big time on w scam like this

Emmageddon · 17/10/2018 18:17

@31weeksgone

If your username relates to a pregnancy then surely you are entitled to some kind of assistance to find accommodation? If you are being abused, then please seek help from various agencies - your midwife maybe able to direct you to the most appropriate sources.

Original poster
31weeksgone · 17/10/2018 18:20

Haven’t changed my username in years, she’s 3 now Wink

Have been put on council waiting lists, but currently live with ex p. Not leaving as not willing to put daughter in a hostel when she’s not at any risk. Just coping for now. Thanks for everyone’s help and suggestions on scam so I didn’t do it. That’s that done 👍🏻👍🏻

OP posts:
OnoAnotherNC · 17/10/2018 18:24

This sort of thread is why mumsnet is such an excellent resource.

Volant · 17/10/2018 18:25

It sounds quite dim. If he says he's been taken in in the past by someone who seemed genuine and showed him her bank statement, surely the mere fact that the person has shown him a money gram rather than a statement wouldn't stop them pulling exactly the same trick on him? So the reality is that it doesn't safeguard him at all.

Bombardier25966 · 17/10/2018 18:29

@Volant, have you missed the part about it all being a scam?

Oysterbabe · 17/10/2018 18:31

I'm glad that you checked it out first. Definitely a scam. Have you checked out the property on rightmove? It's probably for rent on there.