London's scammers find a new tactic • "I felt sick... They’re doing everything except for actually having a flat." • What happens when the scammers get inside the systems?
Yes - it’s interesting, isn’t it? I briefly had a Revolut account but got twitchy over it when I saw them being used in a few other scams. All I can guess is that their account holder verification has a hole in it that is being easily exploited - which would indicate that the FCA should be taking a closer look given their new banking status.
Sure seems like something like a redress scheme that is actually meaningful should require a substantial deposit from an agent to join as a member. What an absolute scam that entire register appears to be: did Callum try to raise a case with them as a tenant?
Thank you for exposing this outrageous scam. Let's hope that like other failings you've exposed it will be picked up by the right people and dealt with. And that you get appropriate credit too!
I'm relieved the young man got his money back in the end, but it was still a horrible and stressful experience, when he'd tried so hard to make sure it was legitimate.
I'm left wondering about that professional young woman who showed him round, knowing it was a scam. What was going through her mind. Just the money she would get?
Anyway, thanks again for a fantastic bit of work and reporting.
The quality of this report is outstanding.
Thanks for your support Nadia, the secret ingredient is just… working really hard on each piece!
It’s also caring about actual journalism, and London! Both a rarity, unfortunately.
This is a great - but infuriating - bit of reporting. Thanks!
Did Revolut have any comment on being a front for the account siphoning funds out? Interesting that the scammers chose them as the receiver.
We do regularly find it’s Revolut who were used in scams we investigate.
Yes - it’s interesting, isn’t it? I briefly had a Revolut account but got twitchy over it when I saw them being used in a few other scams. All I can guess is that their account holder verification has a hole in it that is being easily exploited - which would indicate that the FCA should be taking a closer look given their new banking status.
Or possibly their full integration with buying crypto?
How is a government approval scheme run by a US insurance company that takes the money and carries out no checks? Which minister approved this?
Sure seems like something like a redress scheme that is actually meaningful should require a substantial deposit from an agent to join as a member. What an absolute scam that entire register appears to be: did Callum try to raise a case with them as a tenant?
Another brilliant article but geez, talk about making me angry. Such great journalism.
Great journalism. As for Lebedev ... one day.
The business card did not have an address? They did not have an office?
Thank you for exposing this outrageous scam. Let's hope that like other failings you've exposed it will be picked up by the right people and dealt with. And that you get appropriate credit too!
I'm relieved the young man got his money back in the end, but it was still a horrible and stressful experience, when he'd tried so hard to make sure it was legitimate.
I'm left wondering about that professional young woman who showed him round, knowing it was a scam. What was going through her mind. Just the money she would get?
Anyway, thanks again for a fantastic bit of work and reporting.