First steps ... looking for a flatshare in LONDON

I have created this blog to share my experience. I  am moving to London in around 6 weeks, and I am looking for a flatshare. I have written many adds on different websites, and I am experiencing many scams. So my first article will be about a scam. I report below, the emails, and the msn conversation with the scammer. Be careful, do not accept any offer that is too good to be true !!

Scammer 1:

"Claudia Riedle" (Sorry for the real persone called Claudia Riedle, from who the name has been taken..)

Website: http://uk.easyroommate.com


Sample of our conversation: (from the more recent)

Hello,
Thanks for the mail and interest in my flat? i am currently  living in the flat with one international student from usa ?
The more reason why i send you id it's just for you to know what and how i look like.i am the real landlady and owner of the property,so you think every body on internet are there to scam or take away money from people right cut it.
I have a lot of flatmate interested in my flat and security deposit is the only way you can secure the flat and remember the money will be refund back to you after moving in.so go ahead and act fast if you are really interested in the flat,Hope to read from you soon.

Cheers,
Claudia.

---

Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2008 13:34:36 +0100
From: silveflorent@gmail.com
To: claudia_londonroom@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Tenancy agreement form/security deposit to secure the flat before your arrival to london

Hi Claudia,

I am ok, and I want to rent the flat. Are you currently living in the flat? Who are the other flatmates?
For the security deposit, If you don't mind I prefer to do it through a third party, as for example, precised on the following website, so we have both the guarantees we are looking for:
http://uk.easyroommate.com/misc/scam2.aspx
I sign and I send you back the Renting Agreement form.
Can you send me by email, a document attesting that you are landlord of the flat located at the following address:

Address:26 Little Chester Street
Belgravia,London SW1X 7AP.

Before sending the security deposit, I would like a friend living in London of mine to see the flat. Can you tell me when you are available?

I wait for you answer,

Regards,

Florent

On Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 1:18 PM, claudia riedel <claudia_londonroom@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hey flatmate,

     Thanks for your mail and for your interesting in being my flat.I have attach the Agreement form  for her to sign it by writing your name at the end of the page i mean under my name and attach it back to me asap you sign. you will need to secure the rooms with security deposit cause without paying the security deposit i can not keep the flat for you but if you pay the security deposit now i will keep the flat for you till you anytime you are ready to move in and when you move in your money will be refund back to you cause the security deposit is refundable will collect the security deposit from you so that the flat can be kept for you till you arrival so asap you sign the agreement form attach and send it back to me so that i can arrange the information that you will use to send the security deposit and don't forget that the security deposit is refundable asap you move in is just meant for keeping the flat for you cause a lot of people are interested in my flat but i want to give it to you because you are the first person that email me for it. You will need to made the payment through (WESTERN UNION) by to go any bank or post office nearest to your area and tell them you want to send money  and the will give you a slip to fill and you will fill the below info.
 
Below is the (WESTERN UNION)info.
NAME OF SENDER:
NAME OF RECEIVER:
SENDERS ADDRESS:
AMOUNT SENT:
MCTN10 DIGIT NUMBER:
QUESTION AND ANSWER IF ANY
 
Please if you really know you like my flat and you want to be my flatmate then make sure you send the deposit so that i can issue out payment receipt for you tomorrow and you bring it along with you when you are coming to london.

Reply back.
Claudia...

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Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2008 12:57:22 +0100
From: silveflorent@gmail.com
To: claudia_londonroom@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Details of my flat.

Hello Claudia,

The flat is more than perfect for me. The location is very good, as I will work on the South Kensington Campus, the flat is very nice and seems to be brand new, and the rent is within my budget.
Are you already sharing the flat with somebody?
Attached, you will find the following documents:

- a copy of my passeport,
- a copy of my training period agreement,
- a copy of the document precising that I am well a student at the ESPCI (scientific school) in Paris.

Those are the first documents, as a proof of my honesty.
My full name and address:

Florent SILVE

parent's address (as indicated on my passeport)

(address removed)

This is the address you should write on the tenancy agreement form.
Curently, I am living at my grand mother's house near Paris (if you need to send me some documents):

(address removed)

If my profile correspond to what you are looking for, and if you agree to rent me the flat, I could meet you in London on the 16th and 17th of March. (I am in Madrid until the 15th of March, but I can arrange a quick trip to London on the week-end of the 16th and 17th of March).

I can also meet you on the following week-end if necessary, or I can sign and send you back the tenancy agreement, and ask a friend to meet you to see the flat.

Let me know, how you intend to proceed. If you have any question about me, do no hesitate.

Looking forward to reading from you soon.

Florent



On Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 12:29 PM, claudia riedel <claudia_londonroom@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi Flatmate,
Thanks for the mail and interest in my flat?below arethe details of my flat with the picture of the house and the rooms forrent,The flat was constructed in 2006 as an extension. It has its ownentrance and reserved car parking area and is only a few minutes walkfrom the shops, post office, garage, bank and other amenities.The flatcomprises three bedroom with fitted wardrobe and chest of drawers,andan adjacent tiled bathroom with shower. The large sitting room has adouble bed settee with sprung mattress, wood burning stove, library ofbooks, internet connection,TV/video, radio/CD,warching marchineoccasional tables and additional seating.The Sky Free sat satellite TVsystem has been installed to provide you with a comprehensive range oftelevision channels.The tiled kitchen is extremely well equipped with afridge/freezer,electric oven, microwave, washer, tumble dryer anddishwasher.There is a dining table and chairs, and a full complement ofcrockery,cutlery and kitchen utensils.The flat is centrally-heated, andthere is no additional charge for electricity, bed-linen or towels. Theaccommodation is spacious for two people and more than adequate for afamily of four. The location is very peaceful,also quiteaccessible,allow pets in the flat.There are several restaurants, craftshops, and visitor attractions around Belgravia.
The flat tariff is £350 per month, £80 per week with all bills including?
£400 security deposit pay first before moving in to the flat and will be refund back?
 
#Name:Claudia Reidel
#Age:28years
#Profession:Nursing
#Available 20/03/2008
#Address:26 Little Chester Street
Belgravia,London SW1X 7AP.
#Area:Central London

#Nearest tube station:
#Victoria station(7 minute walk)

 
Hopeyou like it and also get back to me with your full name and contactaddress so as to prepare the tenancy agreement form for you,read fromyou soon
 
Cheers,
Claudia.

---

Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2008 11:52:42 +0100
From: silveflorent@gmail.com
To: claudia_londonroom@hotmail.com
Subject: FLATSHARE

Hi !

Thanks for your email.
Yes, I am interested, can you give me more details about the flat? (On which website have you seen my add??)

Iam Florent , I am 22 and I am French. I am finishing my master's degreein sciences in Paris in a french 'grande ecole'. I will do a finalproject on the South Kensington Campus during at least 4 months. I willarrive in London only around the 15th of April.

Iam clean, very mature and responsible. I take good care of thingsbelonging to others and I like cooking (yes, that's true,  but I willnot argue or even talk about french or british food..lol ;-), don'tworry..). No, I am jooking... I am a very positive person, I likehaving fun with friends and meeting new people. I like to share withother people from different cultures, backgrounds.. and I am very openminded. Ok, you might think I am not very humble saying that. But,that's not true. I am honnest, and really don't like people who showoff. I also like sharing moments with friends having a glass of wine(even if it's not a french wine...)
I like to go to see plays and movies. I do sports when I find some time (gym, jogging and swimming) and I am a musician.

I am looking for respectful and open-minded flatmates, who are clean and tidy, and who are happy to live...

If April is not to late tostart the rent, I will be please to speak to you and to meet you. Don'thesitate to ask me a lot of questions, I will be pleased to answer them.

Regards,

Florent

Hi Flatmate,
Thanks for the mail and interest in my flat?below are the details of my flat with the picture of the house and the rooms for rent,The flat was constructed in 2006 as an extension. It has its own entrance and reserved car parking area and is only a few minutes walk from the shops, post office, garage, bank and other amenities.The flat comprises three bedroom with fitted wardrobe and chest of drawers,and an adjacent tiled bathroom with shower. The large sitting room has a double bed settee with sprung mattress, wood burning stove, library of books, internet connection,TV/video, radio/CD,warching marchine occasional tables and additional seating.The Sky Free sat satellite TV system has been installed to provide you with a comprehensive range of television channels.The tiled kitchen is extremely well equipped with a fridge/freezer,electric oven, microwave, washer, tumble dryer and dishwasher.There is a dining table and chairs, and a full complement of crockery,cutlery and kitchen utensils.The flat is centrally-heated, and there is no additional charge for electricity, bed-linen or towels. The accommodation is spacious for two people and more than adequate for a family of four. The location is very peaceful,also quite accessible,allow pets in the flat.There are several restaurants, craft shops, and visitor attractions around Belgravia.
The flat tariff is £350 per month, £80 per week with all bills including?
£400 security deposit pay first before moving in to the flat and will be refund back?
 
#Name:Claudia Reidel
#Age:28years
#Profession:Nursing
#Available 20/03/2008
#Address:26 Little Chester Street
Belgravia,London SW1X 7AP.
#Area:Central London

#Nearest tube station:
#Victoria station(7 minute walk)

 
Hope you like it and also get back to me with your full name and contact address so as to prepare the tenancy agreement form for you,read from you soon
 
Cheers,
Claudia.