A friend of mine has just been given a scam email on gumtree.com and I thought i should alert other internet users of this scam.
I will put a copy of the email at the end of this post so Internet searchers can find it. I dislike scammers but this one person is preying on vulnerable foreigners who are looking for rooms to rent in London. The email has a lot of information regarding how great the room is, but the women/ fat man is not asking for any monthly rent…she is just lonely! Alarms bell should ring when the deal seems to good to be true but I can understand the desperation that a foreigner can feel when looking for somewhere to live. Ok so lets put all the facts that this women has given us:
Name: Rebbeca Jane Dagg
Location of property: 3 Rathbone Street, Central london
Rebbeca Jane dagg has also sent a scanned version of her passport – but we still don’t know if this Rebbeca Jane Dagg exists so it really proves nothing.
Once you have shown interest, Rebbeca will then inform you that you need to send her some money upfront in order to secure the room. I then imagine the “receipt” never shows up and then you later find out that the property never exists and that you have been scammed.
I hope by writing this blog post, i will be able to rank for the address on Google…so i can stop any other foreigners getting burnt as I know the scammer is working on gumtree at the moment.
Remember if its too good to be true – then it probably is!
Here is a copy of the email that he/she has sent round.
Hello ,
The place is located on, 3 Rathbone Street, Central London/Oxford Street, W1T 1LB
THE APARTMENT BOASTS: 1300 Square Feet
Quiet; 15 Min to 2 or 3 express train
Internet/Cable Ready
Brand New Washer & Dryer in the apartment
Huge Windows in the entire Apt/Lots of Light
Dishwasher
Living Room is Furnished w/2 pc Sectional Jennifer Convertible Couch; Denon Surround Sound Speakers
Gourmet Style Kitchen open into the Living Room
Hardwood Floor,12″ CeilingsTHE ROOM: Master Bedroom FURNISHED; Be Ready to provide 1stmonth rent 300 pounds(bills inclusive),security deposit 100 pounds(refundable)
12″ Ceilings; 12 X 6
2 Huge Windows with a great View
Huge Walk-in Closet with Storage space on top
Internet and Cable Ready
You really have to see the
apartment to believe it. This will go fast
You should be:
Mature, Clean, Considerate, Responsible Male/Female And All The Other Things You Would Want In A Roommate*IMPORTANT PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
You Will Have Your Own Private Bedroom Literally 12′x6′ Which Does Comfortably Fit A Twin, Full, or Queen Sized Bed.Each room in the apartment Has A Built In Closet, A Large Window (i.e. Natural Day Light), A Small Desk, High Speed Wireless Internet, and Your Own Independent Digital Cable Connection w/500+ Channels (In Your Room).
The whole apartment You Will Rent Is furnished, The Apartment Is Completely Furnished And Beautiful. We Do Not Need Any Common Area Furniture.
I am Very Organized, Busy But Also Very Laid
Back And Clean Individual Very Respectful Of Each Other’s Space & Privacy. The Walls Are Thick So The Room & Apartment Are Very Quiet & Peaceful.
All Utilities Including High Speed Wireless Roadrunner Internet Throughout The Apartment, Maxed
Out Digital Cable TV w/All Premium Stations (In Your Room & Living Room), Central Air Con., Electricity, Central Heating, and Gas Are Included w/Rent.
T
here Is A Apartment Lease Agreement.
I Would Like To Show You My Apartment So Please Shoot Me An Email
DESCRIPTION TO THE PLACE
Tube:
Goodge Street: 0.1 mile(s) approx.
Tottenham Court Road: 0.2 mile(s) approx.
Oxford Circus: 0.3 mile(s) approx.
Railway:
Euston: 0.4 mile(s) approx.
Euston (London): 0.5 mile(s) approx.
London St Pancras: 0.7 mile(s) approx.
Airport:
London (City): 7.2 mile(s) approx.
London (Heathrow): 14.7 mile(s) approx.
Attractions:
Palladium: 0.3 mile(s) approx.
Whatever your reason for visiting London, it is a city that has something to offer everyone. London has successfully fused its grand heritage with modern living and attracts a wide range of visitors every year. Whether, it’s sightseeing in Trafalgar Square, shopping on Oxford Street or entertainment in the West End, you will be spoilt for choice. London also has a huge choice of restaurants, bars and hotels to suit any budget.
While the areas to the north of the Thames are renowned for housing many of London’s traditional attractions, e.g. Buckingham Palace, to the south of the river there is still much to see with many of the newer and more contemporary attractions, e.g. The Tate Modern. If you are on a budget there are also many free attractions throughout the city. London is Europe’s largest city and it is easy to get overwhelmed and not make the most of your visit, so it’s worth planning your trip and familiarising yourself with its districts before you travel.
The quality and choice of dining in London has developed dramatically in recent years, and many of the world’s top chefs have chosen London as the place to house their prestigious restaurants. You will also find a fantastic range of affordable options to suit any budget. With flavours from all over the world, you will be spoilt for choice.
These are place where you get good meal:
The Rock Garden
6/7 The Piazza, Covent Garden, London, WC2E, +44 (0)207 257 8613
Belgo Centraal
29b Shelton Street, London, WC2H 9LJ, +44 (0)207 813 2233
Palm Court Brasserie
39 King Street, London, WC2E 8JS, +44 (0)20 7240 2939……ETC…
There are also bars and pubs if you care for some…..I mean after a long day at work
I’m looking for a responsible tenant that’s clean pay the bills on time and that has great positive energy. There are plenty of negative people out there the last thing I want is to come home to a negative filled house
and vice versa. Email me with any other questions you might have and I will gladly answer them. I’m looking to rent out to nice and cool person
i really understand your plight and i want you to know that the apartment is fully available.Its your place and you can receive visits as much as it wouldnt inconvenient you….I would like to know how long you will be staying and when you will love to move in……LOL
Cheers,
Rebecca
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
i am afraid i was also caught up in the same situation, but before paying up, i just thought to myself, let me check up the person on the net as something didn’t seem right and bingo I have just found it! gratitude to the original writer. As for others, please watch out as she/he gets the adverts from the gumtree website.
Here is a copy of the email that he/she has sent me when I asked for a viewing the property:
Hello
…..Thanks for your interest in the room….I am so sorry it took me a while to get back to you..I have been so busy at work and also coupled along with some domestic problems…It would have been a good thing to have you come around the place but as i am a very busy woman and i have lots of offers at hand so i think you will have to make reservation for the place so i could keep it for you..It will be free for the period of
time you want and for the period,it can go for 300 pounds with a refundable security deposit of 100 pounds
I got a call last night that my Mom was ill back in Manchester..I am on my way there now..I will be in manchester for a period of time but i can make things happen from here through email……I hope that will be okay for you…I want to assure you that the room consist of all you have requested for,its a standard room,furnished and has all the essential things a room should have…….As of the fact that you will be moving into this room,i have to be sure before i keep it for you so i thought of a reservation process
To secure the place,you have to make some commitments financially and morally…..First,i will need to inform my lawyer who will prepare a Rental Agreement Contract between which i will send to you through email,you will read it carefully and if you are ok
with it,you print it out,sign and send back to me the way i sent it to you and i will forward to my lawyer for documentation…After which you will make the upfront payment of the first month and security deposit prior,the security deposit(refundable)..
Then a receipt will be issued to you which you will bring along at your move in date for proof of identity and also identification…For me to be able to commence with the contract,i will need you full details such as full name,current address and date of birth
which my lawyer will use to prepare the contract…….I am very sure you understand all this,get back to me if its ok with you….
As soon as this is done,i will be very sure of your seriousness and by then i would spare 2 days and come down to London to show you around the place and tell you things about the area…If you find the place unpleasant to what you have seen in the pictures,then we can cancel the contract and refund your payment with no fee deducted..But i am so sure there is no difference in what you have seen in the pictures….
Well,at the moment,i think this is how far i could go in explaining how this could be done in my absence….I am deeply sorry if this is going to be of any inconvenience…..Accept my apologies…
I wait to read from you
Rebecca Jane Dagg=
Could you please send me all the correspondent emails btw you and the scammer.I guess i am about to fall victim.Please send it to shinerdmx@yahoo.com
here another joke of REBECCA!
Hello
Thanks for the mail…..First i will like to tell you that there are a lot of people in London looking to rent a room and they are not finding it easy…I am lonely in this flat cause its too big for me alone so i just need some company thats why i am renting out the room and thats why it is not expensive…I am not renting out the room for the money,but i cant just let the bills be a burden…I have lot of people who want my room at the moment but i chose you because you are a foreigner and i love to live with foreigners as you will be able to learn from them….Thats why i am choosing you offer..
The flat consist of three rooms and i use only one…The price for the room can go for 400 pounds per month..And a security deposit of 150 pounds
There are ways you can make reservation for this room and there would be a legal document stating that you are the owner of the specified space….due to the fact that there are many foreigners that want this rooms in London and they are ready to take it but i will love to reserve the space for you…
Let me know if you agree with the reservation idea and get back to me so as to put you through the process…In case you mind,i scanned and attach a copy of my passport so you would be sure about me and you wont have any reason to doubt…
Hope to read from you soon
Rebecca
I think the best thing we can do is link to this post from our webpages, blogs, myspace profiles…etc so when anyone search’s for any part of the email they get this blog post. I want to stop anyone else getting scammed by putting this information out there.
yesterday morning I wrote a mail to rebacca saing that I knew who it/she is….this is hir/her answer:
Hello
What do you want me to do to prove to you that i am not a scammer?…..I am aware of what you have said and the metropolitan police do know about it too..
Someone on the internet has been using my details and information to chect people and not me…..That is why i have involved my lawyer in this and also that is why i sent you a copy of my international passport so you can see i am the real Rebecca Jane Dagg
Waiting to read from you
Rebecca
The point is.. that this deal is far too good to be true! therefore it is a scam – so do not be fooled!
An apartment in that area of London would cost thousands of pounds a month…!
Irrespective of the fact that she has sent a passport – you should ignore the emails.
A scanned passport means nothing – i could scan in my friends passport – but does that mean I am them?
The internet can be a scary place due the anonymity of the whole thing.
Just remember to be as cautious as you are in the “real” world.
If he/she can refund the deposit, etc then my case will be sorted. If not I’m very happy to provide my details, correspondings, receipts, etc to the metropolitan police. He/she can involves her lawyer as well.
I stopped any comunication!
since i told hse that i’d like to see her flat…just in order to see har behave..and she/he stopped to mail me!
thank u guys!
hopping that she will be punished for her/his cheats!
She contacted me via craigslist with her passport and said she needed a flatmate because she was lonely. She also said she had inherited a logging company from her dead father and that shed be happy to get me a work visa/permit before coming out there, i then sent her a fake western union receipt and that sent her reeling, it was great, she was freaking out asking where the money went since she went to western union and couldnt get the money since it was fake, she kept emailing me saying send it again! after telling her she was a fraud, i havent heard from her.
Jeremy thats class!
I wish i had thought of something more inventive than just blogging about it.
Hey, anyone who knows if this ad:
http://rent-let.vivastreet.co.uk/rent-flats-property-house+london-sw1x/vacant-flat/8141593
is from that same scammer Rebbeca Jane, as she told me her name was. I sent her a friendly mail showing my interest in the flat and when I wrote I won’t be willing to pay any deposit she wrote me this back:
Well as you already know.. am presently in wales working..and am a very busy persone dont like my time been wasted .. and i hate to chart or send bulk of miails.. to any one who i just here as a waste of time. and i have interest in you geting the flat.. cos it will defiatly look like a help to you…
Yes my flat is located in Soho… And i belive the pics if the flat i have sent you is enough to make u see ave interest that us if you want to.. which am not forcing you to…
And am sorry .. to let you know that you will have to make a deposite so that my flat advert will be closed and reserved for.. cos you cant expect me to just close my flat advert and reserve it for you just like..that.. while am not yet sure u are capable of paying or willing to pay for it..
You will have to make a comitment to make belive in you.. and have confid befor my flat can be reserved for you till you get here. mean while after the deposite you will be issued a receipt which you will have to come down with while coming to my flat and also a lease contract agremment form wll be signed by you.. hope u get it all now..Girl?
Have a splendid day and bye for now
Rebbeca.
So what do you think, can it be the same person??
By the way her flat is suppose to be in SW1X, which isn’t Soho!
Rebecca Dagg is now operating in Paris. Similar procedure as below. Be aware!! Thanks for sharing!! Juli 2008
Scams like this always make me upset, What it is, this person take advantage of people who desperately need accommodation(London accommodation is really expensive) and make their situation even worse.
Looks like that scammer just moved on to australia
Just got an offer and cut/pasted the following line:
“looking to rent out to nice and cool person really understand your”
Here s the mail:
Dear Chris,
Thank you for the message. I really appreciate your interest in my flat,my flat is a three bedroom flat and I have attached the pictures of my lovely flat. It is a well furnished suitable flat.My apartment is short stroll to University of Sydney, Tafe College, Restaurant, Kings cross station.
My flat address is on 85/849 George Street Sydney NSW 2000
Area:- 01 – Sydney
Here are some other information of my flat:
Rent:AU$600 per Month {$150 per week includes water,internet and phone}.
Security Deposit: AU$800,which you will be getting back as soon as you are leaving my property.
Rent include: electricity, gas, cable, phone and internet
Available: Now
Minimum Stay: 3 Month
Flat mate Description:
Personal info: Volkenant Carol, 45 yrs. old, Female, Straight, Professional.
Household info: Non Smoker, There are no pet(s)
Preferred flat mate description:
Age: from 18 to 85 yrs. old
Gender: Doesn’t matter
Smoker: Doesn’t matter
Orientation: Doesn’t matter
Pet: Doesn’t matter
Room and apartment description:
Features: kitchen, reception Bedrooms, Bathrooms
Room amenities: Furnished, Private bath, Phone jack, Linen supplied,Hardwood floor, TV,Fridge, Air conditioning, Carpet, Closet, Cable jack, Private entrance.
Home amenities: Alarm system, Washer/Dryer, Balcony/Patio, Internet, Cable ready, Dishwasher,Gym, Yard,Pool,Fridge,Microwave.
I’m looking to rent out to nice and cool person really understand your plight and I want you to know that the apartment is fully available. It’s your place and you can receive visits as much as it wouldn’t inconvenient you. I would like to know how long you will be staying and when you will love to move in.
Looking forward to your prompt response.Till then take good care of yourself.
Kind Regards
Carol
Enjoy a better web experience. Upgrade to the new Internet Explorer 8 optimised for Yahoo!7. Get it now..
mail was: carol_volkenant@yahoo.com.au
so guys, i think she tries to scam me too – me and my friends got these mails where she sent us pictures (of the flat in sydney, mentioned in the post above) and i found most of the pictures via google (first hit for *study room* for example was a study room in some uk newspaper which she used as hers, another hit was a pov (!!! –> 3d modeling) image she used as *kitchen*)
and i got exactly the same as chris..
is this blog still actual?
does anyone know more about the sydney scam??
So guys, I think she got a new adress, as you can see, she used the same thingy with the restaurants chefs as she did for the one in London /just now it is Sydney/…:
Hi,
My flat is available for rent. Am a registered member of share accommodation. Am presently in United Kingdom to
visit my Mother who is in Hospital.The apartment is well furnished with all equipments and Utilities which will suit your Convenience . The detail of the Apartment is here below for your visit before making any transaction with me .
Address: 224 Elizabeth Street,
Area: SYDNEY
Rent: $150 Per Week ($600.00 Per Month).
Bond:$300.00 (The Bond is refundable on your move out}
Utilities include: Electricity, gas, cable,phone.
Available: NOW
Maximum stay: 1 year
Minimum stay: 1 months
Room and apartment description:
Features: kitchen, reception Bedrooms, Bathrooms
Home amenities: Alarm system, Cable reply,Washer/Dryer,Internet facilities
If you are ready to rent the apartment, all i can do is make arrangement for the documents and then the payment, which I would mail the keys of the apartment to him/her through a courier service ( DHL), which i deposited in their office in Australia.
If you are ready to rent this flat,kindly make a reservation by providing me the following details below this mail,so that i can forward it to my lawyer to get the lease document for you.
Full Name :
Present Address :
Age:
Sex:
Move in Date:
Occupation:
The quality and choice of dining in Sydney has developed dramatically in recent years, and many of the world’s top chefs have chosen Sydney as the place to house their prestigious restaurants. You will also find a fantastic range of affordable options to suit any budget. With flavors from all over the world, you will be spoiling for choice.I’m looking to rent out to nice and cool person really understand your plight and I want you to know that the apartment is fully available. Its your place and you can receive visits as much as it wouldn”t inconvenient you.As soon as you provide the details i will get back to you .
Best Regards
Stephanie
what i forgot to mention: she uses this adress now:
Stephanie Ann
lindyx248@gmail.com
THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY A SCAM SO DO NOT TRANSFER MONEY IN ANY CASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi, just thought I would let you guys know, she is now praying on people in australia, something made me smell a rat when she contacted me independantly from the site. Anyway basically the same MO, she replied to my questions and promised contracts, the english was very poor.
thanks for confirming its all a scam
guys
just to let you know that this is my girlfriends passport STOLEN in amsterdam in 2006. we have made the identity and passport service, uk and dutch police aware of the situation, but unfortunatly there is not much they can do unless someone who has actually had money taken reports it and makes a statement.
This person is most likely dutch however police cannot confirm untill more investigation is carried out, for example…where web posts are being made from, what servers on what ip network and ultimatley tracing to what customer. maybe this person has been stupid enough to work from home or if working in an internet cafe maybe cctv will pick up.
This said, anyone who has been affected should report to the police, the more reports the more seriously this case will be taken.
POLICE ADVISE THAT NOBODY GIVES MONEY OVER THE INTERNET WITHOUT CONFIRMING THE IDENTITY OF THE RECIPIENT. IN THE CASE OF HOUSING THE ACCOMODATION SHOULD BE VIEWED AND MONEY EXCHANGED ON RECEIPT OF KEYS ONLY. A PASSPORT SCAN IS NO GOOD, AS IN THIS CASE THE PASSPORT IS STOLEN AND REBECCAS GOOD NAME IS BEING BLACKENED.
We are now trying to get this passport photo removed and are currently waiting on a response from Google.
Regards
i just received am e-mail from attorney rebecca dagg stating i am a beneficiary to the estate of a late client & to contact her immediatly– am wondering if this is the same rebecca dagg who is screwing everyone about the flat in london???
I am in Boston. This is what I received from Rebecca:
Dear Friend,
Thank you for your brief email response. Let me try to explain to you firsthand the details of this project because it is important that you understand why you have been contacted in the first instance.
I am from the United Kingdom. It is important for me to know of your interest in this matter especially when you only got my email on the internet. But bear it in mind emphatically that you are being contacted for something legitimate. We have all the legal backings to pull this through as long as we have confidence in your fullest co-operation and understanding of this matter. The case of our client is an unusual One as his death was abrupt and without a will covering this sum mentioned to you. This leaves us no choice but to appoint an inheritor. I have the responsibility to sort out the administrative details on his death.
I have the power to decide what happens to this sum as it will be administered in accordance with strict rules and regulations known as “Rules of Intestacy”. I needed a very reputable person to be nominated as the beneficiary outside the United Kingdom rather than allow these funds to be confiscated. So, like I said in my earlier email to you, I am contacting you because you bear the same surname as our late client NOT that you are related to him. The name of our late client was MR. RAYMOND PATTERSON. By this I can very easily file in for the sum to be released to your account as the inheritor of the sum.
Be reminded that, I am NOT saying you are related to the Estimator but since you bear the same surname as PATTERSON, the transaction can be easily accomplished. Again, please know that to accomplish this transaction more quickly and without any hindrance or delay, you must understand that I will need your fullest support. This can be more easily achieved only if you understand the details of the transaction. Please, also understand that I will also demand maximum confidentiality or discreteness in all matters. All the necessary legal documentations will be in place.
NOTE THAT THE AMOUNT IN QUESTION IS 5,500,000.00 GBP WHICH IS CURRENTLY IN AN ACCOUNT OF MY LATE CLIENT HERE IN UNITED KINGDOM. YOUR SHARE OF THIS WILL BE 40%, MY SHARE WILL BE 50% AS THE ORIGINATOR AND THE OTHER 10% WILL BE KEPT ASIDE FOR ANY AMOUNT SPENT ON THE TRANSACTION.
Please confirm that this is accepted.
Best Regards,
Attorney Rebecca Dagg.
Holborn Chambers
6 Gate St, London,
WC2A 3HP, United Kingdom.
Phone: Number: +44-703-594-7982
Fax: +44-844-774-5944
I am in California and this is what I received from Rebecca Dagg:
You have been appointed as a beneficiary to the estate of my late client,
contact rdagg@yahoo.com.hk for more information.
I responded by telling her this: What is this regards to and who passed away?
Then she came back with this email:
Dear Friend,
Thank you for your brief email response. Let me try to explain to you firsthand the details of this project because it is important that you understand why you have been contacted in the first instance.
I am from the United Kingdom. It is important for me to know of your interest in this matter especially when you only got my email on the internet. But bear it in mind emphatically that you are being contacted for something legitimate. We have all the legal backings to pull this through as long as we have confidence in your fullest co-operation and understanding of this matter. The case of our client is an unusual One as his death was abrupt and without a will covering this sum mentioned to you. This leaves us no choice but to appoint an inheritor. I have the responsibility to sort out the administrative details on his death.
I have the power to decide what happens to this sum as it will be administered in accordance with strict rules and regulations known as “Rules of Intestacy”. I needed a very reputable person to be nominated as the beneficiary outside the United Kingdom rather than allow these funds to be confiscated. So, like I said in my earlier email to you, I am contacting you because you bear the same surname as our late client NOT that you are related to him. The name of our late client was MR. RAYMOND KINGSTER. By this I can very easily file in for the sum to be released to your account as the inheritor of the sum.
Be reminded that, I am NOT saying you are related to the Estimator but since you bear the same surname as KINGSTER, the transaction can be easily accomplished. Again, please know that to accomplish this transaction more quickly and without any hindrance or delay, you must understand that I will need your fullest support. This can be more easily achieved only if you understand the details of the transaction. Please, also understand that I will also demand maximum confidentiality or discreteness in all matters. All the necessary legal documentations will be in place.
NOTE THAT THE AMOUNT IN QUESTION IS 5,500,000.00 GBP WHICH IS CURRENTLY IN AN ACCOUNT OF MY LATE CLIENT HERE IN UNITED KINGDOM. YOUR SHARE OF THIS WILL BE 40%, MY SHARE WILL BE 50% AS THE ORIGINATOR AND THE OTHER 10% WILL BE KEPT ASIDE FOR ANY AMOUNT SPENT ON THE TRANSACTION.
Please confirm that this is accepted.
Best Regards,
Attorney Rebecca Dagg.
Holborn Chambers
6 Gate St, London,
WC2A 3HP, United Kingdom.
Phone: Number: +44-703-594-7982
Fax: +44-844-774-5944
im from south africa and received the same email from Rebecca Dagg on the 16 september 2009.she said i inherited money from Mr Raymond(my last name)…So people shes in South Africa now……y dont u find yourself a job and make an honest living.
Luckely I knew it was to good to be true, so I googled her, now I know enough. I also checked the addresses she gave of her ‘mother’ but none such exists, can’t we lock her up?
Hey guys, similar situation of something too good to be true – we are trying to rent out our downstairs flat on the Gold Coast in Australia and received this email from ‘Rebecca Dagg Jane’ that she wanted to rent out the flat and pay for an entire years rent in advance:
‘Thanks for getting back to me, i am willing to rent the room and i am at sea at the moment as i am a marine engineer in United Kingdom but i got transfer to Australia, am willing to use about a year in Australia any time from now but due to the nature of my work,phone calls making and visiting of website are restricted but i squeezed out time to check this advert and send you an email regarding this room.
I insisted on paypal because i don’t have access to my bank account online as i don’t have internet banking, but i can pay from my paypal account, as i have my bank account attached to it, so kindly get back to me with the total amount of the room for one year and your paypal email address so i can make the payments asap for the room immediately you send me the lease agreement,so that you can believe that i am so much have interest in the room and pls if you don’t have paypal account you can set one up on http://www.paypal.com and get back to me with the email,i will be contacting my mover agent to get him self prepare to move my properties down to Australia as soon as possible…..
Hope to read back from you soonest.
Rebecca’
Anyway, when we tried to get more information, references etc there was no reply. Although I’m not sure how we would be scammed as it was her wanting to transfer money to us…. But thought it would be a good idea to google as it seemed pretty suspicious.
Similar Scam happening here in Singapore. This person doesn’t even bother changing her name… what a lousy con!