Here is the email I just received following a housing request.
It reeks of a scam. I saw exactly the same email on several scam forums.
It's Wednesday, and they are offering me an appointment for Friday, even though they’re coming from Corsica. ????
We apologize for the delay in our response.
We have received your email as well as the required information for the visit.
Given our schedule, we confirm the appointment for Friday, November 19, 2021, at 4 PM in Bourges in front of the Town Hall and will head to the property. The property address will be communicated to you for security reasons on the day of the visit a few hours before the appointment once we are on site so that you can join us directly in the property since our personal belongings have been left in the house (02 or 03 boxes). The property will be rented empty and only the kitchen will be equipped and furnished.
Please understand that we are renting it at this price just to prevent it from being unoccupied and unmaintained due to our professional move to (Corsica) AJACCIO.
During the visit and signing of the contract, you must provide the following documents:
Listed below are the documents that make up the application file to be presented:
•Two documents proving your identity (National Identity Card + Passport).
•A work contract + 3 last payslips (if you are an employee).
•Two documents proving your home address.
•Security deposit TRANS CASH VOUCHERS of €1300 (1st month RENT + DEPOSIT)
The rent is €650 including taxes, including utilities (electricity and water). To prepare the TRANS CASH Vouchers, you simply need to go to a Tobacco Shop right now with cash or your debit card to get TRANS CASH vouchers (2 TICKETS of €525 and 2 others of €107 or 5 TICKETS of €263). After depositing the money, you will be given the TRANS CASH VOUCHERS with the necessary funds loading code. It is only after signing the lease contract making you the new occupant that you will hand me the TRANS CASH VOUCHERS which will serve as proof and payment.
The complete file along with the TRANS CASH vouchers will be handed over in person on the day of the appointment after the visit, in exchange for the lease signature and the handover of the keys. After signing the lease, we will leave you our bank account details so that future rents can be automatically transferred to our bank account.
In case the house does not suit you (which I would find hard to believe as it is in perfect condition 10/10) and as shown in the photos, you will not need to hand over your file or the TRANS CASH VOUCHERS to us, but you will return to the tobacco shop to get a BLACK TRANS CASH MASTERCARD, load it, and retrieve the total funds deposited.
You can contact my husband at: 07-*****'* (as he is often busy with work, you can leave him a message or a text and he will get back to you as soon as possible).
So if that suits you, the visit along with the signing of the lease can take place on Friday, November 19, 2021, at 4 PM or at an hour of your choice. As of now and by the latest Thursday, November 18, at 2 PM, your rental application must be complete so that we can make our arrangements and travel to satisfy you. You have a copy attached of how to present the Trans Cash Voucher to confirm the appointment.
NB: If you cannot travel, a virtual visit can take place the same day at the same time.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely.