This is rather long I'm afraid but very funny. These are real emails and conversations that took place yesterday.

Before you ask, I knew it was a scam from the very first email but I do worry some people who don't know how the system works will be taken in.


From: avantvalentine@gmail.com
To: me

Hello,i have an apartment to rent out in Amsterdam now,i have just traveled out of Amsterdam due to my studies and i hope to return back not until after 18 moyhs or more,so get back to me for more details if you are still interested
_________________________

From: me
To: avantvalentine@gmail.com

Thanks for your email. Yes I'm still looking for an apartment so if you could send more details, that would be great. Many thanks.
_________________________

From: avantvalentine@gmail.com
To: me

The flat is well equipped,furnished and with internet access,it also has a parking space and a beautiful garden,i want to rent out the flat just because i got an admission into a university Newcastle,i have been away in the last 2 month and hardly do i come to Adam,here are the pics of the flat,the address is Rijnstraat 205 Amsterdam 10 netherland,am a very simple person to deal with and at the same time i might be flexible,i do not get easily fused on matter but i hate people taking advantage of me,Newcastle is a nice place to be and am really enjoying my stay here in Newcastle,the keys to the flat are already with me here in Newcastle and anyone who is ready to rent the room will send the payment to me via money agent to Newcastle because i rented the 1 bedroom apartment am leaving in and the rent in Newcastle is more than that of Adam and i will be needing the rent i realize from my flat to pay my rent, also in uk are my parent and they are old and i can't depend on them forever,the rent for a room is 350euros monthly with a security deposit of 600euros which is refunded back to you at the end of your stay if nothing is damaged,the purpose of the deposit is just for the prospective tenant to be extra careful with my properties as they are very valuable to me,the area is very nice and cool.the rent for the whole 2 bedroom flat is 700euros monthly with a security deposit of 900euros which is refundable at the end of your stay.Here are the pics and i hope you would love them and all payment has included all bills.So do get back to me with the little informations you really would like to know as i have already answered all necessary questions most tenant ask before a rent and just to use this token opurtunity to let you know that i don't just come to Adam without any commitment by the tenant,any tenant who likes to view the flat before renting must be ready to make a deposit payment ,each room is about 42meter square each
_________________________

From: me
To: avantvalentine@gmail.com

Dear Avant. Many thanks for your response. The flat does indeed look and sound beautiful and seems remarkably cheap given the area. Just like you I also "hate people people taking advantage of me" so I am sure you will understand that I would like to see the flat in person before I hand over any money - that way lies demons, madness and often ends in lengthy court cases. Perhaps you could post your keys to a friend in Amsterdam along with a full legal contract and we could take things from there. Best regards

PS I am glad to hear you're enjoying Newcastle. I myself have fond memories of the place. In 1997 as captain of my univeristy fencing team I led my teamates to a spectacular victory over the Newcastle fencing team that took us into the national finals. I still feel a little guilty about the bloke who had to go to hospital but on the other hand, it was his choice not to wear a box!

_________________________

From: avantvalentine@gmail.com
To: me

Hello,how are you doing?thanks for getting back to me,i so much understand your point but i think i have a suggestion that will solve the issue,so am waiting for us to chat over this online now,thanks

_________________________

Online chat:

00:14 avant: hi
how are you doing?
you there?
me: hi
avant: ok
00:15 did you see my mail?
me: I did thank you
What's your suggestion?
avant: ok
so i got your name as well
00:16 where are you now/
?
me: why is that relevant?
00:17 avant: i told you am here to give a suggestion
so that we could sole the problem at hand
am sure you are really looking fir a place?
me: I am looking for a place
avant: ok
00:18 so i don't think knowing the place you are never
mearnt anything
me: Sorry I don't understand
00:19 avant: ok
i am asking you where you are now?
Amsterdam or where?
me: I am in Amsterdam
00:20 avant: ok
so when do you need the apartment?
me: asap
avant: ok
are you renting the whole apartment or just a room
00:21 me: I'm just looking for a room
avant: ok
so the problem we are trying to solve now is that
00:22 there is no problem if you want me to come for the
viewing
i can be there on Tuesday
but what gives me the assurance that you are
really serious about the rent?
00:23 me: What assurance do you need? Happy to meet on Tuesday
00:24 avant: well this is why am asking you that
before i go on with my suggestion
or do you have any suggestion?
me: No do go on...
00:25 avant: ok
i can be there on Tuesday for the viewing
but i also have a suggestion
which if you can do then i will have no doubt that
you are not serious
00:26 at first do you have anyone in the UK?
friend
relatives
family or anyone?
me: many
00:27 avant: do you?
me: yes
avant: ok
then that is perfect
my suggestion is that
00:28 for me to come over to meet you in Amsterdam on
Tuesday at my
apartment for the viewing
00:29 you will have to go to the western union office to
make the payment
at the western union office
me: payment for what?
avant: but the payment will have to be made to your friend
not me
i mean your friend in the UK
me: ok
00:30 avant: so after you are through with the payment
then you will have to get back to me with the
payment details
so that i can confirm it online
so once i confirm the payment
00:31 i will come over to me meet you on Tuesday for the
viewing
soif you are okay with the condition of the place
then we will sign all contract in person
i will give you the reeceipt
00:32 i will give you the keys in person
then for me to be able to get the payment
when i get back to the UK
i will meet up with your friend in the UK then we will
both go to the
western union office to get the payment
00:33 then your friend will give the payment to me since
he alone will have
access to the payment
but if you are not okay with the conditions of the
place then you can ask your known persdon in the
UK to help you get back the payment
me: Avant
I have an idea
Why go through Western Union?
00:34 avant: ok
yes cause
i can only confirm it online via western union
once io have the details
and i confirm it
me: If you send me your bank details, passport number
and address, I will pay directly into your account :-)
avant: once io have the details
and i confirm it
no
am not asking you to pay me now
00:35 and besides my bank account is currently
overdrawn now
me: But it won't be when I make the payment!
avant: i don't understand that?
00:36 me: If you give me your bank details, and I make a
payment, then you won't be
overdrawn? Besides, being overdrawn doesn't
prevent payments being made.
Just send me your bank details, passport number
and address and I'll
desposit the money in your account
00:37 avant: you don't understand
what i meant is that
it is currently overdrawn
and any payment on it now won't reflex
it is still under rectification
and that will be for about few weeks
me: OK then I give you cash on Tuesday?
00:38 avant: given me the cash is not a problem
and besides sending it to your friend never meant
you are paying me yet
i only needed to comfirm it online
00:39 i won't be able to get it
except your friend you used as the receiver
00:40 me: OK
So
00:41 Can we meet on Tuesday? I see the apartment and
if I like it, I give you cash?
avant: i told you i needed to confirm the payment before
coming at least by Monday
00:42 then we meet on Tuesday
me: OK please can you wait ten minutes whilst I call my
friend in the UK?
00:43 avant: ok
that will be perfect
me: thanks hold on then
avant: ok
00:44 me: hold on - how much do you want me to transfer?
avant: since you are not sending to me
then you can send the whole payment tom your
friend so that i can get
it in full from your friend after the viewing
00:45 me: Please can you confirm total amount for rent &
deposit
00:46 avant: ok
the rent is 350euro monthly with a security deposit
of 600euro which
is refundable
so all is 950euro
00:47 i can be responsible for the transfer fee at the
western union office
me: OK great - sounds reasonable - let me phone my
friend
00:48 avant: ok

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 minutes

00:57 me: Hi Avant
avant: HI
am here waiting
me: I've just spoken to my friend in Sunderland...
00:58 avant: ok
that is perfect
me: They're happy to go to the Western Union Office in
Newcastle
But unfortunately...
they dont' know where it is!
00:59 avant: i don't understand that
you will be the one to send the payment to them
you will send it from Amsterdam to them in
sunderland
01:00 then i will go and meet them when am back from
Amsterdam so that we will
both go to any western union in Sunderland
then your friend will get it and give it to me in cash
me: Sorry I don't understand
avant: ok
the suggestion was just that
01:01 you will send the payment at the western union
office to your friend in the uk
so you preferred to send it to your friend in
Sunderland
so you will send it to him
then you will get back to me with the details of the
payment
so that i can confirm it online
01:02 so if the payment is available for pick up by the
receiver
then i will come to meet you on Tuesday in
Amsterdam
then we will view the place
so if you are okay with the condiditon of the place
then we will sign all contract
i will issue you the receipt of payment and give you
the keys in person
01:03 then for me to be able to get the payment
i will come back to the UK to meet your friend in
Sunderland
then i and your friend will go to the westyern union
office anywhere in Sunderland to get the payment
01:04 then your friend will give it to me in cash
that is just the suggestion
so is that clear enough now?
me: ok
a question...
avant: ok
ok
go on pls
me: what payment details do you need?
01:05 avant: ok
i mean the western union details
the payment you sent to your friend
cause i will use the details to confirm the payment
online
01:06 me: sorry I've never used Western Union before so I
don't understnd
What do I do?
avant: ok
it is so simple
you will go to the western union office in Amsterdam
me: hang on
Where is that?
avant: you will go there with 950euro cash
ok
01:08 me: But where do I have to go?
avant: okay
don't you know any western union office in
Amsterdam?
me: no
avant: if you don't know one
me: I said I haven't used it before
avant: then you can give me your current address
01:09 so that i can help you locate a place near to the
address
01:10 me: OK I live at Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 226
postcode: 1012 RR
avant: ok
hold on for a minutes pls
01:12 a minutes pls
01:16 hi
and what addresswas that?
in Netherland or where?
01:17 me: In Netherlands - Amsterdam
avant: ok
send the area you are again
just the area
01:19 ??
me: Netherlands Noord Holland Amsterdam Nieuwezijds
Voorburgwal
avant: ok
01:21 me: Avant I'm getting a little tired now. Shall I just
meet you on Tuesday? Say 9am?
avant: yes
01:22 but i will have to confirm the payment either
tomorrow or early morning on Monday
soi that i can get my flight ticket ready
me: but will you be able to afford a flight if you're
overdrawn?
01:23 avant: i never said am overdrawn
my account alone is overdrawn
01:24 so i don't keep my money in the banks for a short
time
ok?
me: ok
avant: ok
me: Actually - you may be able to help me
avant: for sure i am
and when we meet
01:25 we get to know each other better
me: I am the wife of the former village chief in Ghana
where there are diamonds and gold dust.
My late husband died last year in November, but
before his death he had 560 kilos of gold
dust and 7800 carat of uncut diamonds in his
possession as the village chief. After his death
nothing was left with me. Could you fly down to
Ghana to enable us meet face to face and
reach an Agreement? Then after our meeting you
will help me to ship the gold and diamonds
into your country for sale. Then after selling the
commodities you will use the money to assist
my son to invest it in any profitable business.
01:26 Are you interested?
avant: nope
i don't have any biz with that
01:27 me: but my son...
and you would of course get a cut from the sale of
the diamonds
avant: well all i am here for is to rent out my apartment
me: you know what they say...
Diamonds are forever...
01:28 avant: sorry about that
me: it could solve all your problems
you could realise your dreams
you'd be richer than you can ever imagine
please
if you just help me
get my diamonds and gold dust out of Ghana
avant: sorry am not
01:29 are you from ghana?
me: my family are yes
but now I take refuge here in the Netherlands
where are you from?
01:30 avant: i have a dual citizen
my mum is Dutch
while my dad is british?
01:31 ok
me: ok
01:32 avant: so tell me what is your decision?
me: I say yes
yes to life
yes to love
yes to peace
and yes to you
avant: okay
01:33 me: okay!!!!
avant: then like i told you
i will need to buy my ticket
so i will need to confirm the payment before then
01:35 me: OK will do
Have a wonderful evening
and remember
peace
love
and miniature donkeys
avant: k
hmm.....
01:36 me: ok
ps you sound nice - do you like daleks?
01:37 avant: daleks?
me: yes daleks
you have to check them out:
avant: what is that?
01:38 me: http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/
01:41 avant: i saw that but did not get what that really meant
01:42 me: oh check out the next series of Doctor Who - on
the BBC
it's the best show ever
avant: ok
me: what TV shows do you like?
avant: ok
i like Oprah
and tyrah
01:43 me: Pah American rubbish!
Do you like Harry Potter?
avant: Rubbish!!!!!
ofcourse yes
i do
01:44 that is a film i went to watch at the cinima
cinema
me: So I'm curious to know a bit more about you...
avant: then i advice you wait till Tuesday
when we meet
01:45 me: ok I look forward to it - do you mind if I bring
my miniature donkey?
01:46 avant: no problem
but am not coming to spend more time in
Amsterdam
just to come and show you the place and complte
the rental process and that was all
01:47 me: One last question...
avant: yes
me: You said the flat had a parking place
avant: yes
01:48 me: well I was going to park my donkey in the parking
place but would you mind if he came
inside sometimes? He's very sweet and his name
is Derek?
avant: ok
donkey inside the a room?
how possible will that be?
01:49 me: well he won't live inside - just pop inside to watch
Doctor Who and use the loo from time to time
he likes Doctor Who

Avant goes offline

Nice one

that was great, what stamina to continue the conversation
I have an email conversation some where in my archives but to make the long story short when I wrote you are a scam everyone knows as soon as you involve western union its a scam
he writes, I am going to kick you out of my place
and I wrote back, you can't kick me out of a place I haven't even enterered so good luck on achieving that fantasy

Amberlee! That was brill!

Thanks for my laugh of the day!

this is serious stuff and im glad you put it up as sometimes others arent so aware
but omg!!!! you had me in hysterics by the end
good for you
ive also experienced a few scammers on a blogweb im on
you can usually tell them a mile away
good on you for your humour and scamming him back
you made my day and gave me a right laugh - thanks
emerald

hilarious it is!!...though not for people who had dealt with this person...

I would just like to add that last year when I was plannin to come to Amsterdam....I called someone who had advertised for an appartment so that I can arrange for a place to stay. This lady with an American accent who was reciding in the Netherlands (cause I know from her number) spoke to me and said, she likes to "help people out of a good deed and would arrange something for me....soon...."

she mailed me and said, she found ssome place for me but she needs to book it Amsterdam being so difficult place (to look for an apprt) and I need to send her the rent with one months advance via some account or pay pal......she literally insisted me to send this money to book it at the soonest. In addition, some 400-500 euros for her commision....and I said, "you said you help people of good deed"!!...and she responded that -"yes! I do.....but I may as well make some money out of my help.... u know"....I wasn;t stupid to send all this money to someone whose mobile number is the only thing I know and can be bought for 10 euros or less.....but some people are!!

PLEASE DO NOT TRUST SUCH PEOPLE....U DONT GIVE MONEY UNTIL U HAVE ATLEAST MET THE PERSON AND KNOW WHERE TO CATCH HIM/HER IN CASE OF A CHEAT....

exactly - never pay money upfront until you are face to face with the person and you are exchanging contracts etc
anybody asking me for money upfront for anything im sorry i just wont do it = im not going to take any chances

They never give up - I have had the same from 5 different accounts this weekend... including avantvalentine@gmail.com

On 30/09/2007, paola authur <paola.authur@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hello,
i send you 2 mails,but i dont want to waste any time,cos i have just call my lawyer that you have aggreed to send it to your sister and he said that as soon as i confirm the payment i should forward it to him so that he can track it on line and the prepare every other document needed to be sign before tuesday...and as soon as i comfirm the payment today just tell your sister that we will meet and then discuss on how any other payment will made after the viewing and the key to the apartment will be giving to you as welll....so waiting to read from you soon....

David <someone@gmail.com> wrote:
Is it ok if my donkey gives you the money personally?


On 30/09/2007, paola authur <paola.authur@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hello,
the suggestion i have is that,since you don't feel comfortable sending money to Someone you are not sure of,and am also not sure of who am renting my place to,so i don't want to risk coming over, so you will have to transfer the whole payment at the western union office to any of your friend that you trust enough,you will use his name as the receiver with the address in the UK so that i can be sure that the purpose of the payment is for the rent, then you will have to get back to me with the the sender's name and the MTCN number so that i can confirm it online via tracking,so if the payment is available for pick up,i will come, this week for the viewing and as soon as you view the place and you are okay with the condition of the flat,then we will sign all contract and i will give you all receipt,i will also give you the keys,then for me to be able to get the payment the receicer and i will have to go to any western union office to change my address to the receiver's address so that the i can be able to get it or give it to me in cash and note that the receiver is not to pick up the payment not until after the viewing,but if you are not okay with the condition of the apartment,then you will have to ask your friend ,the receiver to help you get your payment back immediately,with this i think you will be very sure that your payment is secured and also i will be sure that you are really serious about the rent.Waiting for your response so that we can finish everything by this week and note that if you are okay with this suggestion,i will have to confirm the payment sooner so that i can start the preparation of buying my flight ticket.Waiting for your response,thanks


David <someone@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi, yes I would love to hear more about how you would like payment by Wire Transfer to a friend of mine. My donkey would love to hear it again too.


On 30/09/2007, paola authur <paola.authur@yahoo.co.uk > wrote:
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html


Hello,
i have a lovely apartment for rent in the centre city of amsterdam, so mail me back so that i can feed you with the details of the apartment.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Being the people who know this is happening and intelligent enough NOT letting this happen to us at the same time feeling sorry for people who get trapped..........

I think we should do something against these people. At the least, bring it to someones notice like the IND or any other government department. Could anyone suggest who should we contact in such a case?

So far, I have received the same 'great housing offers' from people using these email addresses:

mary_white_002@yahoo.com
bambby10@gmail.com
and fruzsina21@yahoo.com

send them to the police.

they have a special dept. dealing with email scams.

This was a brilliant read. I love how you involved the donkey in the whole story
But it is a serious matter and I'm sure people fall for it.
I got the same email from the guy in Newcastle but it was too obvious its a scam so I never took it further.

Hi,
i am quite ashamed to add my comment to this story, as i am one of the (probably) only ones who fell for the scam. should have known better, but thought that sending money through western union to someone i know in england was quite safe. here in switzerland they check you inside and out if yu want to collect money from western union, but evidently in the uk this does not happen.

the money was picked up by someone with a fake identity paper it seems. i am investigating with the help of the swiss police. if anyone knows more please post here or email me on vm@ggaweb.ch

thanks and lets catch the bastards !

I'd never seen this post before! nice one! Derek the donkey!

Althoughthats really funny, wasn;t so funny when I read about verena's situation, sorry to hear this. I hope police can catch these people.

thanks for the sympathy! don't worry, i also laughed. and well done for everyone who was more clever than i !

i will keep you posted here if we catch any of them...

Ha Ha ROFL thanks amberbee!

Check out this link to see scammers get scammed:
http://www.419eater.com/html/letters.htm
This guy even got a tattoo to get money, hilarious story: http://www.419eater.com/html/okorie.htm
Maybe a bit sad for the guy, but i think he deserved it.

When you are renting a house, you should always be able to register at city hall. If the landlord doesn't allow you it's no good.

double post

This post has been edited by HAL2000: Jul 3 2008, 05:12 PM