6. Stephanie's correspondence

Here is a correspondence between Stefanie, a friend of mine, and Carol. Unlike me, she paid by WU and I suppose that Carol kept conversation with her only because she wanted to get my money as well.

Hey Stefanie,

Thanks for the Lease Contract,Everything is Ok.I have notify my Lawyer that you will be making your payment soon and immediately he received your payment they will issue acknowledgment receipt for you straight away.Oops....see you soon

Cheers,

Carol
________________________________________
To: baroness.wallace@live.com
Subject: Re:
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 16:36:45 +0200

A question to any lawyer reading this secret blog: Is it legally all right to make sign a contract and than scan it? I have seen it in Austria when I had to do my paperwork with university, but honestly, I have never heard of this procedure in my country. I would like to know for the future whether I can sign contracts like this.

Hi Carol,

thank you for your reply and your reassurance. Please find enclosed my signed Lease agreement contract. I hope it's legally alright to do this via scanning and e-mail. I will take care of the payment via Western Union as soon as possible.

Thank you again for your kindness, very much looking forward to this!

Take care,
Stefanie

****************

Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 00:54:30 +0200

Hello Carol,

thank you very much for your e-mail. Your place looks absolutely great, wonderful pictures, great location. I can't believe it's only 300 pounds per month! Are you looking for someone to stay there long-term, though? Because we're just going to be in Edinburgh for the winter term, September to December. In my experience this is quite the deal-breaker for tenants and people looking for flatmates.

I'm 25, Austrian, also a bit quiet especially when around new people but at the same time keen on getting to know them. I would consider myself a considerate, open-minded and reliable person. I love languages (I study translation for German, English and Spanish), history and different cultures. I also like to go out and party and do crazy things sometimes, though, and I'm a smoker, but of course I wouldn't do any of that around the house if it's not cool with the housemates. I just want to be honest about it right away.

My friend Mathiew is a couple of years younger than me, French, and I don't know him all that well yet as we're just acquaintances from uni who happen to go on an exchange semester to the same city. He's cool and open-minded and definitely considerate though, very keen on studying, non-smoker, probably not as much of a party person as I can be sometimes.

Unfortunately I don't have much of an idea how all of this would work paperwork-wise, and the process in general. If after everything I just told you, you'd still be willing to consider us as housemates, would you want to meet us in person first, would we have to take a look at the house before we agree or sign anything? I booked my flight yesterday, I'll arrive in Edinburgh on 4 September, and ideally I'd like to already have a permanent place to stay when I do. I've also considered staying at a hostel for a while and looking at places in person if that doesn't work out. Mathiew will be arriving around roughly the same time, but probably one or two days after me.

Thanks again for getting in touch!

Kind regards,
Stefanie

****************

Hi Stefanie,

Thanks for your response,I like to have you as my roomie and you're doing the best thing looking for accommodation before Traveling to
Edinburgh because a lot of people comes down to Edinburgh daily without looking for accommodation before their arrival and end up Homeless.

Since i have a lot offer and i would advice you to secure my room inform of reservation and you would only need to get back to with your Name,Home address,scan copy of passport or passport number,Telephone number,Sex and Arrival date.My Lawyer will need the Information to prepare the lease agreement contract. As soon as the Lease agreement contract is ready i would it send to you to study carefully the terms and conditions before signing it and make initial payment to my lawyer to confirm the reservation.

Immediately he will issued receipt and the room will be reserved to move in on your arrival date.you can add me to your MSN messenger
baroness.wallace@live.com for Talks.Looking forward to welcoming you to Edinburgh and my apartment soon


Kind Regards.
Carol

****************

Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 11:08:42 +0200

Hi Carol,

Thanks again for your reply, and sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I had to discuss our options with Mathiew. We are currently considering only three offers and yours definitely looks the very best. He asked me to tell you that we would love to move in with you and that we would be willing to close the deal tomorrow, if nobody else has snatched away the rooms by then.

I'll be in touch and look forward to meeting you!

Stefanie

****************

Am 05.08.2010 um 11:22 schrieb Carol Wallace:

Okay,

Since you assured,i have reserved the rooms for you straightaway and I'm positive about you.
Hope to read from you soon

Cheers!
Carol

****************

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 03:07:37 +0200
Hi Carol,

thank you so much for your kindness, we really appreciate it. We decided we would love to take you up on your offer, as it's definitely the best place we've seen and you seem like a very nice person.

My data are as follows:

Name: Stefanie von Herzberg
Home address: Keinergasse 21, 1120 Vienna, AUSTRIA
Telephone: xxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sex: Female
Arrival date: 4 September 2010

Mathiew's full name is Mathiew Perrie and his email is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx - I gave him your e-mail address and he's either going to get in touch with you directly tomorrow or send his data to me so I can forward them to you. he already sent me a copy of his passport, though. Please find enclosed both our copies. The pictures are horrible, of course, and we no longer really look like we do on the pictures, but passport pictures tend to be that way. :)

Yeah, my passport picture was really horrible, indeed. At least one positive thing is that I had to get a new one and hopefully have a better picture on it 
Unfortunately I don't use msn, but I'm on skype (romine_f) and we're also both registered on facebook with our full names.

Please let me know if there is any other information that you need, and thank you so much again, we're really looking forward to this!

Warm regards,
Stefanie

****************

Am 06.08.2010 um 12:16 schrieb Carol Wallace:

Hello Stefanie,

Thank God...Its Friday :)

How are you? I have forward your information to my lawyer,as soon as i heard back from my lawyer I will send you the lease contract to study the terms and conditions carefully as regards to living in my apartment Once you are satisfied you will sign it and make payment to reserve the room.I guess we would be a lovely roomies.Looking forward to welcoming you soon

Hope you had a nice and fabulous weekend ahead :)

Warm Wishes,
Carol

I found it really strange that there was no arrival and departure date on the contract. I noticed Stefanie about that and she wrote her about it, while I was bitching about another paragraph – our tactic was to split our bitching.

Hey Carol,

thank you very much for the lease contract. I've studied it and I'm about to sign it, but there is just one issue: after we've paid the security deposit and first rent to your lawyer, how would you want us to pay rent every month after that? In cash or to a bank account? And if bank account, to your lawyer or to you personally? In ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; contracts of the same kind the landlord usually includes their bank information. I don't know how this works in the British legal system. Mathiew was wondering about this as well.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Warm regards,
Stefanie

****************

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 18:22:00 +0200

Hey Carol,

yeah, Fridays are a Godsend. :) It's been a stressful week, time to relax a bit. Thanks for forwarding my info to your lawyer. Did Mathiew get in touch with you? Because if it's very urgent I can text him in case he hasn't checked his email.

Can't wait to meet you, and a wonderful weekend to you, too! :)

Take care,
Stefanie

OMG this explanation about the involvement of a lawyer is so trustworthy...

Hey Stefanie,

Thanks for the swift response....I understand your concern but the subsequence rent will be paid in cash to me (Carol Wallace).Since you're renting from abroad i have to involve leasehold Lawyer for guarantee and peace of mind so the contract contract all article required by the British Legal system governing Leaseholding

I will be looking forward to see the signed Lease agreement contract as soon as possible so that we can move to next face of the rent.Await your response urgently

Cheers,
Carol
m 06.08.2010 um 19:53 schrieb Carol Wallace:

Hey Stefanie,

I'm good...not bad at all.I am still waiting to hear from Mathiew.
Hope to read from you soon

Best Regards,

Carol

________________________________________

Hey Carol,

Happy to hear you're good.

I just texted him to get in touch with you ASAP. Yesterday he definitely said he's going to be online tomorrow (Saturday) so I hope that's not too late.

Kind regards,

Stefanie

****************

Datum: 07. August 2010 11:02:20 GMT+02:00
Hey Stefanie,

I'm just through with Mathiew and i will get back to you asap with the Lease Contract
can't wait to see you guys in Edinburgh

Have a nice weekend :)

Cheers,
Carol

Here are the messages after Stefanie had made the payment.
 

Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010
Hey Carol,

thanks for your reply. I just made the Western Union payment for 630 pounds, MTCN is 00000000000 . Your lawyer should receive the payment soon. I'm looking forward to receiving the receipt and moving in with you soon.

See ya,
Stefanie

****************

Am 10.08.2010 um 00:14 schrieb Carol Wallace:

Stefanie,

I have forwarded the transaction to my lawyer and as soon as he received the payment i will get back to you with the acknowledgment receipt.

Cheers,
Carol

“I am lookin forward to close the deal soon.“ Of course she was looking forward to making 1600€ for nothing, bitch!

Hey Stefanie,

How are you?I have attached the signed Lease contract with this mail and as soon as my Lawyer received Mathiew payment he will issue acknowledgment receipt.I'm looking forward to close the deal soon.

Hope to see you soon in Edinburgh.

Cheers,
Carol

Carol
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 16:36:45 +0200

Here we asked for a cellphone number for the third time.

Hey Carol,

Thank you. :)

Mathiew just texted me to ask you for your telephone number, as he has a question about payment and no internet access because he's on a trip. Could you tell me your phone number so I can forward it to him? Thanks!

Take care,
Stefanie

Why the hell would she need Stefanie to send forward texted details? I cannot believe that I was so naive; how could I ever suppose that a British woman does not have a cellphone number and in case she had, why she did not want to give it to us? Strange, strange, strange......

Stefanie,

Sorry for my late response...its kinda busy for me today in work.I have already forward my Lawyer telephone number to Mathiew and if he's unable to get through tomorrow to my Lawyer about the transfer details.He can just text the details to you and then forward it to me.I will get back to you tomorrow with acknowledgment receipt.Oops...can't wait to see you soon in Edinburgh

Cheers,
Carol

Yes, actually, I had tried to make the WU payment for several times before I did it via regular bank transfer.

Hey Carol,

no problem. :) It all sounded way more dramatic than it actually was. :)) I spoke to Mathiew and he's going to give this Western Union thing another try. I hope everything works out.

Looking forward to the receipt, and can't wait to come to Edinburgh.

Cheers,
Stefanie

Am 11.08.2010 um 11:25 schrieb Carol Wallace:

Hey,

I understand your concern but everything should be alright and I will get back to you asap

Cheers,
Carol

I think Stefanie was also getting nervous about the whole thing.....

Hey Carol,

thanks, hope you are well.

Any news on the acknowledgement receipt? And the contract signed by you? Will I get that via e-mail or post? Or are you waiting for Mathiew to complete the payment?

Cheers,
Stefanie

And of course, Carol wrote her another beautiful looking (bullshiting) explanation what was going on. I cannot believe that she even proposed Stefanie to help me with the payment. This was pretty obvious that something fishy was going on here....

Am 12.08.2010 um 23:59 schrieb Carol Wallace:

Hey Stefanie,

How is your day?Sorry for my late response...I'm just through with my Lawyer and he advised me that he have to received Mathiew payment before issuing the acknowledgment receipt.So I'm suggesting that because Mathiew have some difficulties making the payment from France and could you help him make the payment from Austria since there's no problem about making international payment from Austria.Please kindly get back to me asap so that we can seal the deal immediately.Await your urgent response

Hope to see you soon in Edinburgh :)

Warm Regards,

Carol

****************

Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:50:20 +0200

Hey Carol,

Thanks for your reply. I talked to Mathiew and there are difficulties with Western Union, and he can't take care of it because he's on a euro trip. But he's going to be online tonight and we're gonna work this out somehow. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience and I hope this can be cleared up soon.

See you soon and take care,
Stefanie

This is an email from Stefanie after I expressed my doubts about this dubious business once again. I did not know what to do: either to lose an almost arranged accommodation or to risk losing 800€. Unfortunately, I did not think that sending the money by bank was as dangerous as paying via WU.

Hey Carol,

sorry to disturb you again, but I just talked to Mathiew again and I feel like I need to be honest with you: I have signed your contract and haven't got it back with your signature, and I have paid the security deposit and first month's rent and haven't got any receipt or acknowledgement for that. Western Union, on top of everything, is famous for being abused for scams. 

Please understand that I'm not accusing you or your lawyer of anything, of course not. I'm just starting to get a bit worried and you have to understand where I'm coming from because I don't really know you and I still decided to trust you. So it would really help if you could give me some kind of acknowledgement for my payment, or at least send me back the contract with your signature, even if Mathiew hasn't paid his part yet. Because that would give me peace of mind and it would also show Mathiew and his mother that there's nothing fishy about this at all, so they can go through with the Western Union payment.

I'm so sorry for making this complicated, and I can't wait to move in with you, and I really hope you aren't disappointed in me, but as I said, please understand my perspective and get back to me urgently.

Take care,

Stefanie

What a beautiful anwer of her J

Stefanie,

I totally agree with you about your concern but I'm just honest and hardworking lady just looking to rent her apartment out .
I'm just through with my lawyer tomorrow i will get back to you with the signed Lease contract and acknowledgment receipt tomorrow so for guarantee and peace of mind.It would be better if you can work things out with Mathiew as soon as possible

Please kindly bear with me in this difficult time.Hope to read from you soon

Cheers,
Carol

Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 22:13:46 +0200

Hey Carol,

just to update you on the situation: Mathiew has contacted your lawyer to ask again if he can make the payment in another way than Western Union, and if that's not possible he will take care of it on Monday. Sorry for testing your patience and making this complicated.

Any news on the receipt and contract?

Cheers,

Stefanie

 ****************

Datum: 15. August 2010 23:01:27 GMT+02:00

Hey Stefanie,

Please kindly update me about Mathiew payment as soon as possible and my Lawyer is waiting for Mathiew payment before he can issue acknowledgment receipt and also stamp the Lease contract. can't wait to see you guys soon

Cheers,

Carol sent her the signed contract just for the peace of mind.

Hey Stefanie,

How are you?I have attached the signed Lease contract with this mail and as soon as my Lawyer received Mathiew payment he will issue acknowledgment receipt.I'm looking forward to close the deal soon.

Hope to see you soon in Edinburgh.

Cheers,
Carol

 *********************

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:27:13 +0200

hey carol,

THANK YOU so much for the signed contract. Hope Mathiew's payment will go through ASAP and looking forward to the receipt. Can't wait to come to Edinburgh! :)

take care,

Stefanie

 ********************

Datum: 18. August 2010 21:18:25 GMT+02:00

Hey Stefanie,

Mathiew mother was in contact with me earlier and I'm still waiting for transfer confirmation/status and as soon as I heard back from her i will instruct my Lawyer to issue acknowledgment receipt.

Cheers,
Carol

 ***************

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:23:04 +0200

hey,

perfect, thank you. :) nice evening to you, and talk to you soon!

take care,

Stefanie

 *************

 23. August 2010 23:58:43 GMT+02:00

Hey,

I'm still waiting for my Lawyer to get back to me with acknowledgment receipt probably because they're always busy this time of the year and you have nothing to fear or worry about the room is fully secure and reserve for you.Hope to see you soon.

Cheers,
Carol