Rental Scam

[Admin]

It has been brought to my attention that some of you have been contacted by a potential renter requesting more information. The example that was sent to me is shown below...

Enquiry from: David Paul
Their E-mail:

Hello Am Paul David Am from me and my family will like to know how yourun this rentel,well are on a vacation for this year Below Details of the Reservation Below: Date: 1st of feb to 30th mar 2007 Time of arrival:10 am Rooms:Apartment No of people:2 adults And 1 son and we are as well willing to buy a small house around that area that your house is located,well we are referring to that will wanted toRent your aprt that you havefor rent on a monthly rentel or weekly rentel we are planning staying i mean we wanted to buy a small house in that area butbefore then we wanted to stay for 2 Months rentel ionly want to stay around and check the security area before i buy the house that i intend s to buy in that area ok,so i will be veryglad to have the amount for the monthly rentel and if you do no trun monthly rentel we are as well ok by weekly rentel, God Bless

Please be aware that this follows the pattern of an internet scam of which involves cheques. Apparently the enquirer sends an over-the-top deposit cheque from a foreign country then e-mails an apology, asking for a reimbursement payment which some people send off before the original foreign cheque turns out to be useless.

Please do not respond to this sort of message. We are working to block this abuse of the system but I wanted to warn you about that this sort of activity.

[Admin]

We have already received such letters from three sources. Fraudulent cheques were issued on two occasions but luckily picked up by the bank in transit. The brains ? (I query brains due to their poor use of the english language) behind all of this is a Mr Joseph Odguwa, A British Nigerian wanted by Scotland Yard for having frauded the National Health system in the UK for £700,000 and his wife/partner is now serving a ten year sentence but Joe got away. The other scam is that they then want to install printers into the home they wish to rent and if you pay for these they will then pay you back. Ha Ha. The poor pigeon English is their sure give away. DO NOT TOUCH THEM. We tried to hand them over to the French police but they could not be bothered locally. Scotland Yard will be though.

[Hazel D]

Can I point out the the link that Bob provided leads to a possible spam site. The real link for scam baiters is

They have a forum that is well worth a look if you are ever bored as the members 'play' with the scammers and log/discuss the correspondence. The latest one that we had in our mailbox was a 'Russian lady' who has been let down by her boyfriend and wants to visit 'your country' as her visa is all sorted but she needs a sponsor. The scam is that she needs to pay bills before 'she' leaves Russia.

If anyone ever asks you to transfer them cash by Western Union due to an overpayment for a booking/purchase just send it to the delete file and don't give out personal details to these scammers.

Hazel