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Wohnungssuche - Warnung vor Abzockfalle

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Niedrige Miete, niedrige Kaution – die Inserate klingen vielversprechend. Doch eine Besichtigung ist erst nach Bezahlung einer Kaution möglich. Doch dieses Geld sieht man wahrscheinlich nie wieder.

Zahlreiche Konsumenten berichten uns von einem dubiosen Angebot: Eine Mietwohnung wird sehr günstig inseriert, kann aber erst nach Leistung einer Kaution besichtigt werden. Ein Beispiel dafür fand sich unlängst auf wohnnet.at.

Auffällig ist, dass das Inserat in englischer Sprache abgefasst ist. Interessenten, die Kontakt mit dem Eigentümer der Wohnung aufnehmen, erfahren, dass dieser sich im Ausland befände und einen Nachmieter für die Wohnung sucht. Der Kontakt mit dem Wohnungsbesitzer ist nur über E-Mail und auf englisch möglich.

Besichtigung nach bezahlter Kaution

Der Clou: Interessierte Konsumenten können die angebotene Wohnung nur dann besichtigen, wenn sie vorher eine Kaution überweisen – entweder per Western Union oder auf ein Konto eines ausländischen Treuhänders. Erst nach Erhalt der Kaution würde der Eigentümer Schlüssel und den Vertrag für die Wohnung zuschicken.

Hände weg!

Der Konsument, der uns das Beispiel geschickt hat,  schöpfte Verdacht und überwies kein Geld. Auch wenn das Angebot noch so verlockend klingt: Eine Vorauszahlung verlangen, ohne dass die Wohnung besichtigt oder ein Mietvertrag unterzeichnet werden kann, ist unseriös.

Auch wohnnet.at warnt

Peter Erlebach, Geschäftsführer von wohnnet.at, meint dazu:

„Dieses Thema betrifft leider sämtliche Immobilienplattformen in Europa. Laut unserem Kenntnisstand (Polizei) handelt es sich dabei um international agierende Betrüger. Um unsere Kunden davor zu schützen, durchsuchen wir unser Angebot laufend nach verdächtigen Inseraten, die oftmals mittels gestohlener Kreditkarten bezahlt werden, und löschen diese auch umgehend.

Durch Aufklärungsarbeit, mittels Beschreibung, wie diese Betrüger in der Praxis vorgehen, versuchen wir ebenfalls unsere Kunden für diesen Betrug im Internet zu sensibilisieren. Mehr Informationen dazu finden Interessenten auch auf unserer Homepage. Grundsätzlich empfehlen wir Anbietern wie Interessenten, ohne persönlichen Kontakt bzw. ohne ein bestimmtes Objekt besichtigt zu haben, keine Zahlungen zu tätigen.“

Beispiel bei immobilienscout 24

Ein KONSUMENT-Leser hat uns ein Beispiel von einem dubiosen Angebot bei immobilienscout 24 geschickt.

Hier die 3 Antwort-Mails des vermeintlichen Vermieters:

From:
To:
Subject: RE: Kontaktanfrage zu Ihrem Objekt I142574 [Wohnung in absoluter Toplage 1090 Wien, 09. Bezirk, Alsergrund]
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2013 19:10:20 +0100
Hello,

Thanks for your interest to rent my apartment. The apartment is still available and I would like to rent it. I`m sorry to write you in English but I don't speak your language. I bought this apartment for my son during he studies in Austria, but now he come back home (Guildford / United Kingdom ) permanently, so I'm renting the place for unlimited time. The minimum rental period is 2 month.
The apartment has a range of facilities including washing machine, air conditioning, Internet and telephone, a car park. Also, I have no problem with pets.  The apartment is furnished as seen in the photos, but I also have the option of shipment / storage of all my furniture if you want to bring your own equipment (no additional cost).
The monthly rent is 900 EUR including all utilities (water, electricity, Internet, cable, parking, air conditioning, fireplace, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, refrigerator). The deposit ( Kaution ) is 900 EUR and up on termination of the lease will be refunded to you ( you will have to give me at least 2 moths notice before to leave the apartment).

Before we go any further I would like to know a little something about you, like how many persons you intend to live in the apartment, and for how long.

Now, a little bit about myself so we can get to know each other better. My name is Dr. Ralph Martin and I'm a 46 years old Ophthalmology doctor from Guildford / United Kingdom ( Guildford Hospital ). The only inconvenience is that my job doesn't allow me to leave Guildford even for one single day. But this won't affect you at all. I can make arrangements to rent the apartment from Guildford (on my expense of course).

Thank you for your interest and I will look forward to hearing from you soon.

Ralph
P.S: Please tell me if this is what are you looking for and reply my only if you are truly interested in the apt.


Hello,

Like I inform you before, the rent price you shall pay on the first month of rent will be 900 EUR with all the charges included + 900 EUR security deposit ( 1800 EUR ), with no extra taxes to pay. I must have one month rent + security deposit from you. The money, I want to receive it monthly to my bank account, so I hope it will be no problem for you to wire the money to my bank account. The apartment is ready for you, you will need only to receive the keys and the contract to check it, and see if you like it. Obviously, we need a way to finalize the deal, which will allow us to make sure we get what must be received. I found a way for us to finalize the agreement in a safe and fast, and in this way, you get the keys in less than two days, if you move fast as well. The solution is provided by a rental company called Halstead Home Rental Company that will handle both payment and delivery of keys.
If we decide to proceed with this transaction, I will have to contact the rental company and provide them all the necessary information, so they can start the process.
I will need your full name and address. You will receive a notification from the rental company shortly after that, together with all the instructions to follow. Regarding the payment, you will be instructed to deposit the money to a rental company account. They will hold and insure your money until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or not. That is how their tenant protection policy works. As far as my concerns, I will be glad to know that the rental company has the possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance. As soon as the funds have been deposited into their account, they will immediately start the shipping process.
The keys and rental contract will be delivered at your address in no more than 2 working days. You will be given a 3 days inspection period from the day you receive the keys and contract at home. If you decide to hold the apartment, then you will have to authorize the rental company to release the funds to me, and the transaction will be completed. If you will not be satisfied with the apartment, you will be able to send the keys and contract back through the same service and ask the rental company to return the funds to you but I am sure that you will love the apartment. If you wish to proceed with renting the apartment, please provide me your full name and address and phone number so I can initiate the deal through rental company right away.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Greetings,
   Ralph


Hello,

The company what I've hired to represent me is a major real estate agency from London, specialized in international rentals ( they make transaction in Europe, Asia and USA ). This agency will handle the delivery of the keys, the inspection of the apartment and also the payment .

Let me explain you more simple how it works:

1 – To start this transaction, I need your full name, address and telephone number. I will also need to know the rental period so I can put it in the contract.
2 – I will go to the Halstead Home Rental Company office to drop off the keys and documents of the house, along with the rental contract.
3 – Halstead Home Rental Company will check the documents to make sure I am the actual owner of the flat, then, they will send you an invoice.
4 – After the rental company send you the invoice, you'll have to pay the money for the first month and the security deposit ( 1800 EUR ) to Halstead Home Rental Company, according to the instructions from the invoice.
This will be a guarantee that they don't send an agent all the way to your country for a joke. The deposit will be just a formality, and it will not commit you to renting the apartment.
The money will remain in the custody of Halstead Home Rental Company until you have checked the flat and confirmed that everything is good.
5 – At this point you will have to go to a Western Union Office and make a money transfer deposit on the Halstead Home Rental Company agent name in London assigned with this transaction for the amount we agreed, the total amount you shall deposit is for the first month of rent and security deposit.
After you pay the deposit, and send them the details, Halstead Home Rental Company will send an agent to your country in the next 24-48 hours (Monday to Friday) and will delivery you the keys at your house door and then you will go with him at the apartment to inspect it.
You can also decide which date and time will fit your schedule best for the inspection.
6 – If you will be satisfied with the flat, you will sign a copy of the contract. However, if you are not pleased with the apartment for any reason, the Halstead Home Rental Company agent will give you the money back on the spot, and I will get my keys and documents back.
I will pay for the services of the agency, so there will be no extra costs for you.
Also, in case you have another apartment right now, and you cannot move out immediately, we can make the deal as I explained it now, and consider it only an inspection and reservation.
If you want to begin, please give me the details which I requested above, so I can make the arrangements.
I am waiting for your quick response, because there are several others interested in the apartment, and I need to know if I can count on a deal with you.

Greetings,
   Ralph

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