**Interview with Craig Spokes: A Cautionary Tale of a Rental Scam**
**Interviewer:** Craig, can you share what led to your recent housing situation?
**Craig Spokes:** Absolutely. I had just finished my job as a cruise ship entertainer and was looking forward to moving to London. I stumbled upon a listing for a flat in Bloomsbury that seemed like a steal. The landlord, Samy Daim, even offered me a discount if I paid a year’s rent upfront.
**Interviewer:** That sounds like a great opportunity. How much did you end up paying?
**Craig Spokes:** I ended up paying £19,500—my entire inheritance from my father, who had recently passed away from cancer. I genuinely thought I was making a wise investment.
**Interviewer:** What happened after you moved in?
**Craig Spokes:** Just three weeks later, I was evicted. One morning, I woke up to bailiffs at my door, and before I knew it, all of my belongings were out on the street. It hit me like a ton of bricks—I was in total shock.
**Interviewer:** That must have been extremely stressful. What were you feeling during that time?
**Craig Spokes:** I felt completely embarrassed and ashamed. It was hard to believe I had fallen for such a scam. For days, I couldn’t even bring myself to leave the house; it was crushing.
**Interviewer:** Were you able to get in touch with Samy Daim after the eviction?
**Craig Spokes:** Not at all. He hasn’t responded to me or to any media inquiries. His social media profiles show him living this extravagant lifestyle, which only adds to my frustration.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that you reported this to the authorities. What was their response?
**Craig Spokes:** I was directed to report it to Action Fraud, but they only assess cases without investigating. They told me my case didn’t meet their criteria for investigation, which left me feeling really let down.
**Interviewer:** That sounds really disheartening. Did your bank provide any assistance?
**Craig Spokes:** Unfortunately, my bank, Kroo, said they couldn’t reimburse me, either. They claimed they have systems to prevent financial fraud, but that didn’t help my situation at all.
**Interviewer:** What advice would you offer to others searching for rental properties?
**Craig Spokes:** It’s crucial not to rush into anything. I thought I had double-checked everything, but all the information I received was part of the scam. It’s better to take your time and make sure everything is legitimate—maybe even do a land registry search to confirm property ownership.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for sharing your story, Craig. It’s a powerful reminder for everyone to be cautious in the rental market.
**Craig Spokes:** I appreciate you giving me the platform to speak. I hope my experience helps others avoid similar pitfalls.
