Fraud??
01 May 2010, 04:49 PM
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Fraud??
My 22 year old niece, a trying-to-find-work actress, went to see a flat to rent with some pals in London. Met the landlords (Polish) but felt something wasn't quite right. She liked the flat but, on the advice of her mother, refused to pay a full month's rent in advance as deposit but gave them £250 for 2 weeks and obtained receipt. She gave them references but when she phoned to see if everything was OK was told that the references were not acceptable and she could not have the flat. They did not return the deposit. I am not sure what, if any, reason the landlords gave. She found out that the references have never been taken up.
I have advised her mother, my sister, that if money not returned she should contact Trading Standards and possibly the police. I also said that a legal type letter demanding refund would not go amiss.
What else can she do? Yes I know getting a local heavy might help but that's not her style. I feel sorry for the kid and want to help if I can.
David
I have advised her mother, my sister, that if money not returned she should contact Trading Standards and possibly the police. I also said that a legal type letter demanding refund would not go amiss.
What else can she do? Yes I know getting a local heavy might help but that's not her style. I feel sorry for the kid and want to help if I can.
David
01 May 2010, 06:21 PM
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Not a new scam I'm afraid, I used to see this going on all the time, he is probably showing people round and taking deposits every other day. 
I think the only sensible solution is to burn the flat down.
I think the only sensible solution is to burn the flat down.
01 May 2010, 07:27 PM
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Common enough scam,
Couple of things come to mind; the deposit, was it refundable and does the reciept state what it is for and that the deposit is refundable?
Oh and as the scammers are Polish - send 'em back to poland!
Couple of things come to mind; the deposit, was it refundable and does the reciept state what it is for and that the deposit is refundable?
Oh and as the scammers are Polish - send 'em back to poland!
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01 May 2010, 07:51 PM
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This sounds like a scam to me.
What else can she do? Get a friend to phone up the Landlord asking about the flat. Go round and meet the landlord with a few male friend waiting round the corner. Once in the flat, the others follow as get the monry back. No one need to get hurt, just the presents of 4 or 5 lads should get the drsire results.
What else can she do? Get a friend to phone up the Landlord asking about the flat. Go round and meet the landlord with a few male friend waiting round the corner. Once in the flat, the others follow as get the monry back. No one need to get hurt, just the presents of 4 or 5 lads should get the drsire results.
01 May 2010, 07:57 PM
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hung drawn and quartered with flames behead 
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