Room for Rent and other rental scams
#441373 by scamy728 Thu Oct 12, 2023 10:58 am
Hello,

I just read your e-mail regarding my apartment located in <address>. It has 2 bedrooms, living room, bathroom and kitchen. I bought this apartment for my daughter during her studies in Germany, but now she's back home permanently, so I'm renting the place for unlimited time.
The flat is exactly like in the pictures, fully furnished and renovated. Also, very important, the utilities (cold/hot water, electricity, wireless broadband Internet, digital TV, 1 parking spots, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, etc.) are INCLUDED in the price of €600/month.
Now, a little bit about myself so we can get to know each other better. My name is Jakob Moller and I'm a 58 years old structural engineer and I work for MWH Global Engineering. I worked hard to have a good career and I really respect hard earned money. The company I work for they have projects all around the world so most of my time I'm traveling.
I have a lovely wife, Sarah and a 25 year old daughter, Maria. I am very proud to say that soon I'm going to be a grandfather :). Another member of our family is a 8 year old Labrador which we all love, so, I have no problem if you will keep pets.
I'm in Roma/Italy now and I work for a new project here and the only inconvenience is that my job doesn't allow me to leave Roma even for one single day. We just hired some new staff and I'm in charge of their training.
But this won't affect you at all. I can make arrangements to rent the apartment from Roma (on my expense of course).

Looking forward to hear from you soon.


All the best from Italy!


Jakob Moller


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Hi,

At this moment I'm in Italy and can not be present to deal face to face. I attached you some photos of the apartment. We do have a solution for this inconvenience so you can move in as soon as possible. I do not have the time to meet every potential renter, so I choose to use TripAdvisor. I use the Tripadvisor service only at the beginning, to find a tenant.
To visit and rent the apartment I will use the TripAdvisor platform. TripAdvisor, Inc. provides an online platform that connects hosts who have accommodations to rent with guests seeking to rent such accommodations.
TripAdvisor Company will require confirmation which is the first month €600 + a security deposit of €1000 - is required at the start of the lease and it will be refunded at the end of the contract (a 30-day notice is required). After these first month, you will send the rent monthly directly to my personal bank account.
You have to book the first month from their website and from the moment your booking is confirmed, a TripAdvisor representative will contact you about viewing and you can move in straight away.
First, you have to book it and one of their representatives will contact you to arrange the appointment. The meeting will take place in the apartment and he will give you the keys and sign a contract for the period wanted by you.

So I guess this is it for now, I hope I didn't forget anything.
Thanks for your time

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Hi,

Let me explain to you the whole rental process. To rent the apartment, you have to submit through TripAdvisor the first month of rent and security deposit. You have to pay directly to them, not to me. Only after your deposit is registered in their escrow bank account in a max of 48 hours an agent from TripAdvisor will contact you to establish a meeting place with the keys and the documents. You have 2 days to inspect the apartment and make a decision, If you don't like the apartment you will receive all your money back from TripAdvisor in 24 hours. If you like the apartment then you will sign the contract, they will release the payment to me and you will be able to move in the next 24 hours or at your convenience.
The agent will arrange the visit and if you decide to rent the apartment, you must sign the rent contract during the period you want.

For the first month of rent you will have nothing else to pay, because once you decide to move into the apartment, TripAdvisor will transfer the money to my bank account. Starting the 2nd month, you will pay the monthly rent in my personal account.
I'm pretty sure that you will love the apartment, but if not, you still have the option to cancel and get your money back from TripAdvisor Guests Protection, immediately. In this way, both are safe.

To reserve the apartment, I need the following information (complete name of the future tenant; direct telephone number;). Also, I need a copy of your ID or passport to complete all the necessary papers for you as a future tenant. After that, I will list the apartment on TripAdvisor and I will send you the link so you can book it.

P.S. Please bear in mind that this is a payment authorization and not a payment, which means, you will not pay for anything at this stage. Your proof deposit is for their insurance because their biggest concern is that they need to be sure you are really interested in renting the place and to show that you are ready, willing, and able to pay for the rent.

Looking forward to your answer

Best Regards,
Jakob
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