Way to Russia Talk Lounge

charles · Lounge Lizard Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 180 Location: USA

For those planning to rent an apartment in Russia (or anywhere), I warn you not to give any money to an agency until you see the apartment with your own eyes. That sounds obvious, but in the one month I've lived in my apartment, I've had about 18 people come to my apartment with fake contracts, and always from the same agency. (ЖилИнфо in Novosibirsk) The realtor gives them a blank contract, they pay the "finding fee" usually around 2500 rub. and then they come to me, expecting to meet with the landlord. It's always in the evening, almost every night on the weekends, and sometimes two people in one day! They call back to the agent, but of course she pretends that the landlady has screwed them, not her. What a scam!! I don't know what to do about it, and it's really bothering me. I don't know if it's actually illegal, or just very dishonest. I thought about going to the agency myself, but I don't know enough bad Russian words to say to this woman. I also hesitate because bad realtors might have very bad friends, if you know what I mean....

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6979

that sucks...problem with russia...is although the woman there are beautiful...has to be more white trash there then in any other country...good luck to you! Laughing

charles · Lounge Lizard Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 180 Location: USA

Do you think the police can do anything about it? Three people came this evening looking for my apartment, and every time I have to explain what's going on. Then the old women in my building start yelling at me for opening the door to these suckers. What a pain in the ass! I know one thing, this realtor-bitch is getting rich! She just made $350 in one evening selling a few sheets of paper.

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6979

whoa...what a gig she has going then...and the thing is...it'll rent regardless of you or any other person...you should find a new place then

charles · Lounge Lizard Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 180 Location: USA

I am dreaming of how to get justice - my own justice. I thought about going to the office, pretending to be looking for an apartment, and see if she will rent me my own apartment! Then I take out my true contract, show it to her boss, and then she gets fired. That would be sweet... but maybe the boss is also a crook, and when I reveal my identity, two big guys move toward the door and I am trapped!! hmmmm...

Lwilliams · Just Starting Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 2

one of the big problems with scammers such as this is, other than the obviously innocent people being scammed, is it's so difficult for the authorities to catch them. it's like a vicious circle and the scammers just move around & mess with the rest of us who are trying to enjoy our lives.

i tell you ... it really upsets me Evil or Very Mad

hpesch · Frequent Guest Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 33

These people are so stupid when the shell out money for a sheet of paper. When we booked our apartment last July at Novosibirsk rail station we got the keys to the apartment and no trouble at all. The office at the railway station is trustworthy.

Ender · Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject: Realtor parasites

Rules. I guess they are universal.
1. Never pay a penny for a service until it completed.
2. Any service completed to a gegree less than 100% worth only 10% of a work actually performed.
....

Er-r-r-r... of course.
3. Never say never. Very Happy