Gosh..... I guess the Ukranians are "working overtime" this week as we, too, received a similarly worded inquiry concerning our apartment in Venice, Italy!!!!

The original inquiry sounded fine, but then red flags went up immediately afterwards when "they" were willing to take any available date, couldn't pay using our preferred method of PayPal or bank transfer (mercifully, we hadn't given it out!), wanted all our address information etc. so that "their" bank could transfer funds, then said that both "they" and "their agent" had sent checks, so could we possibly "refund" them half the monies!!!!!!!

Initially, we felt somewhat violated...... and rather stupid...... but have sent "them" a very "terse" e-mail saying that we have forwarded all their correspondence to the Attorney General's Office, are seeking legal action, and will not be scammed.

My advice to anyone else who has suspicions, especially after receiving such an inquiry, is to go with your gut feeling ALWAYS.  You do have the upper hand....

We first thought that the inquiry was from someone rather senile (sorry!), due to the bad use of the English language and typing skills.  Then the more we studied it, the more it became apparent that this "person" was not who they claimed to be, and was probably Russian/Ukranian as none of their sentences contained a definite or indefinite article; this is how their national language is structured, so this is a dead give-away.

"They" claimed to be inquiring from England, but the time shown on their incoming e-mails would have put "them" sitting at their computer at 2 am - 3 am in the UK!  Highly unlikely.......

My advice, after feeling both idiotic and vindicated, is to always trust in yourself.  If you have suspicions, particularly like I mentioned above, is to break off all contact immediately, keep a record of all the correspondence, change passwords if you feel like you need to (we did) to be on the safe side, and NEVER EVER be coerced into changing your policies to suit anyone.

Your holiday home is a huge investment, and you stand to lose not only that, but far more should "they" gain access to your identity and finances.  Heed any doubts you have about a potential client.  It is simply not worth the risk!

I received this three days ago, my very first confirmation turned out to be a scam. Made a request the day before without any comments, 2 people for a house that sleeps ten for a week in June. Odd behaviour....

Didnt take me long to realize that something stinks!

This is their address just FYI: nnowell317@hotmail.com

Hello

Thanks for the updated information.

We are okay with the accommodation and cost .

we would also like to confirm  the reservation on the following information:

   - mr igor Nowels and Mrs Eileen Nowels

    107/30 Ubileniya, 85209 kiev, Ukraine.

    Also , due to the unsecured use of credit card online or on the phone, I have arrange for payment inform of bank draft

    Please do forward me the following details for payment

    FULL NAME

    BILLING ADDRESS

    CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER

    Hope to hear from you soon

    Regards

  Eileen Nowels

This posting, on May 17th, 2012, is to let those on this board know that this scam is still alive and kicking.  I recently received an inquiry from the Ukraine from an "Amanda Wheeler."  Sent me the phony check from Wells Fargo Bank of Hialeah, FL.  Given that the amount of money was for so much more than the reservation, I called the bank in Florida to verify the check number and the amount.  The bank could not verify the check.  I did this before checking this forum because there was a typo at the top of the check: "This document has an [sic] watermark printed on the back."

I'm 99.999% sure that the printer of the check would not allow grammatical errors on their checks.

Beware, people.  It's still going on and will continue as long as people send them money.

I am receiving scam requests about once a month. They seem to be getting a bit more polished, but one thing consistent with them is they do not mormally include a telephone number. Once I see that this is missing I take particular attention to the request. Just a thought for all of us out there!

I just received this exact scam!!  "Renters" name was changed, but everything else is exact!  I have the Cashier's Check right here and will NOT be cashing it and following thru with her instructions tomorrow.  So glad I checked this forum!!!

Thanks everyone,

D

Boy, I wish I would have read these pages before I was scammed!!!! They got me for 2800.00 and I am so mad.  I called my bank and sure enough, the cashiers check was a fraud and now has been taken from my account.  I also sent money back, I KNOW< STUPID RIGHT!!!!! Everyone needs to be aware of this UKRAINE bullxxxx!!! My instincts sure weren't working like everyone else's.

We received what appeared to be a normal inquiry from someone leery of PO Boxes and, upon replying, received this:

It was the "billing address" line that set off my scamdar and it didn't take me long to find this posting. Obviously any received mailing will get set aside and no money will be returned to them. Just aggravating because I have better things to do than answer bogus inquiries. At least I am smart enough to know when something's not right.

Had one of these today from the Ukraine. I researched the IP address and the post came from NYC. As a retired cop, I sent back a response listing their city (NYC, obviously NOT the from the country of Ukraine) and their internet provider (also gleaned from researching the IP address). I then imformed them I was in the process of getting a subpoena for their customer information from the internet provider and that I was then going to pay them a visit with the NYPD. As no crime was actually committed (no money transactions occurred, just the initial email) of course it is all just a bluff but it made me feel a bit better. Hate these low life scum....

11/11/12 please beware ukranie scam is still happening......california

november i receieved an email from jylia gerasimova wanting to  rent house for one week...her exact words were " due to the unsecured use of credit card online or on the phone, I have arrange for payment inform of check"....

ok i understand some people are paranoid or have had a bad experience with credit card fraud so i said sure send a check...days go by no check and of course i am holding her reservation....then the chain of emails start

.......

Good afternoon

 I am sorry for all the delay in payment . 

 There was a mix up in the payment sent to you ,I was suppose to receive two separate payment one for you and the other for my traveling agent But all payments was issued in your name and sent .

 I tried to correct this but it was in vain as i was ask to resolve the problem myself. It would have to go through a very long process to change this error . Please I don't know what to do.

 I have been advised me to contact you since these checks where issued in your name , so you should be able to clear them into your account. As soon as you have the checks cleared to your account you are to deduct your rent and remit the balance to my travel agent Please do let me know how you can help on this issue . 

 Thanks

.......

12/11/12

finally check comes and it is very suspicious but i have to say from the start it all seemed wrong from the first email....always go with your gut....

..........

the check details are as follows in case anyone else may receive a check like this.....

bank of oklahoma,

signed by ericia weathold,

account c.l. boyd company inc, 4220 w reno ave, oklahoma city, ok 73107

amount$3,950

.............'

then detailed instructions below

Thanks for the updated information .

Here are the detailed instructions on how to remit the balance to the travel agent after you have received the funds in your account

          You are to remit $2100 to my travel agent via Moneygram transfer with the information below

            RECEIVER'S NAME : ADEOWO COLE

         RECEIVER'S ADDRESS : 10/23 DOMBASS ARENA, DONESK ,UKRAINE 92218

         Send Amount

                                   $2051

        Moneygram Fee

                                     $49

        Total                   $2100

You are to go to any of the below Moneygram outlet with the money in Cash ($2100) or Debit Card and your ID to do the transfer.

Here are some Moneygram outlet near you

Please kindly confirm the following information after you have completed the transfer

        1. Exact Senders Name on the Moneygram receipt

        2. Money Transfer Control Number(8 digits)

        3. Exact Amount Wired {$2051}

        Yours Sincerely.

        Regards,

..........................

What is the scam???

This was sent to me:  Amazing how many different place this Aleksandra can go on vacation in one week!

SCAM!

Hello 

Thanks for the updated information.

We are okay with the accommodation  .

we would also like to confirm  the reservation on the following information:

  - Mrs  Aleksandra K

    Also , due to the unsecured use of credit card online or on the phone, I have arrange for payment inform of check

    Please do forward me the following details for payment  

    FULL NAME

    BILLING ADDRESS

    CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER

    Hope to hear from you soon

    Regards

Aleksandra K

*This message has been edited by a Community Manager to adhere to Community Guidelines