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Agents placed on high alert over conman

12 December 2008
Written by Rosalind Renshaw

Agents, particularly letting agents, are once again urged to look out for a visitor to their office who tells you he is representing a large corporate client who wishes to rent a property.

The man, described as good looking, tall and charming, has previously operated in and around the Bath area.

The corporate client – who may be described as a large bank or a well-known store – does not exist.

The man, David Watmuff, was jailed for seven years after a con involving Prince Charles’ Poundbury development. At his trial, he was described as a Walter Mitty.

Estate Agent Today has also spoken to another of his victims who says she was conned into buying property which he said he would manage.

It now appears that Watmuff is in the Newcastle area and may have already approached letting agents.

It may well be that he is using a nom de plume. In Bath, he called himself Witchell. It is believed he is now using the name Watmill.

If you google for ‘David Watmuff’ you will discover more about this man.

Comments

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    David Watmuff is a very dangerous man, he is a con man of the first degree. Many people have been spun the yarn that this was all pinned on him, but let me warn you know it was not. He was responsible for the whole lot! It is belived that he may have an accomplis at present and his operating area is now belived to include south Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. If you are approtched or know of this man you are advised to keep your distance and contact the police. There have also been rumors of him being involved in the purchase of a £6million estate somewhere in the direction of Scotland. Beware of this man!!

    • 27 October 2010 12:53 PM
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    • 23 May 2009 07:19 AM
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    John Lennon - "Reality leaves a lot to the imagination."

    Due to my stupidity, a custodial prison sentence in 2003, a bit of Walter Mitty-itus and along with it being a matter of public record, unfortunately I have encountered the following problems.

    It would now seem that there are a couple dyslexic-letting agents who are suffering from the Walter Mitty symptoms. Don’t worry I can help.

    If you are interested, the name is David Watmuff… for those dyslexic agents amongst you please note the spelling. I am not looking for any let accommodation, corporate or otherwise, nor am I intending to in the near future.

    My personal family requirement on Tyneside has now been fulfilled by a very helpful ARLA registered letting agent, who can spell and serve both their client and the tenant with a straightforward service and confidentiality. These arrangements have been concluded, with no problems, in exactly the same way as offered to another local agent, which unfortunately failed due to Internet gossip.

    Happy Landlord… Happy Tenant… Happy New Year…

    • 29 December 2008 11:32 AM
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    Of course we all check tenants - being aware of this man will save you wasting two weeks or so precious time and listening to excuses of motorway accidents, lost passport etc. The police describe him as extremely skilled and dangerous (not in a violent way). If you are happy to waste time and you don't mind investing that time for nothing then fine. Incidentally he has rented luxury accommodation before - the rent being paid by an unwitting 'victim' usually a reputable large company. We did suss him out but he is a major timewaster. The name is watmuff, watmill, witchell -whatever but he stupidly keeps the same mobile number! Unless of course he is reading this somewhere...

    • 13 December 2008 10:26 AM
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    For all you agents who are not signed up have alook at a fabulous product called tenantchecker.co.uk this referencing service will immediately stop all of the low life con artists we deal with,they will have to get up early to get one over this site

    • 12 December 2008 05:50 AM
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    He is indeed a conman. Be warned he will get you going and you will fall for his patter. Firstly he will say that he has nothing to sell, then he will tell you he does not require a mortgage as he is a cash buyer. Last night, he will say, he viewed one of your properties - you know the one where the sellers want to buy that other one on a wacking great commission - and he loved it. His brother is a coveyancer and he would like to exchange within a week.
    Of course he's a conman idiots!

    • 12 December 2008 04:13 AM
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    With a name like "Whatmuff" I'm not suprised he uses pseudonyms!!!

    • 12 December 2008 02:09 AM
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    Can I name and shame all of the conmen & con women we've come across - especially lately. People forget what they say during viewings and think that you don't remember because you are 'just' an estate agent, also, they don't think that we talk to each other....fools. occasionally we get someone who restores my faith in human nature, you never know, that could be today.....please. (Ba humbug)

    • 12 December 2008 01:02 AM
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    We get this all the time, other gullible agents in the area coming in saying they are acting for a blue chip client and asking for all our commission. Get a a life! Do your due diligence!

    • 12 December 2008 12:25 PM
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    I hate to burst anyones bubble...but every day across the whole country there are con men (and women) trying to pull a fast one. So long as the Agent carries out their proper checks they have nothing to fear...if you dont do your checks and you get stung..then tough!

    • 12 December 2008 12:07 PM
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    A nom de plume? Has he turned to writing as well? Maybe he should use a pseudonym instead.

    • 12 December 2008 11:54 AM
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