someone wants me to send them $500 deposit before I can see the room to confirm my reservation. Is this a scam? Here is the emails:

want you to understand that it is against the rules and regulations of the landlord association in affiliation with the Roomster website to meet with any candidate for viewing prior to the confirmation of his/her reservation.This is due to our previous horrible experiences we've had in the past with some unreliable candidate and i hope you understand. I'm also a professional social worker and hearing Impaired woman and i hate to remind myself of this but it is alright.

Besides, I won't want you to get me wrong. I'm a professional woman and I'm not after your hard earned money. I never asked you to send any money to me. The procedure is basically enacted by the landlord association here with the authority of the Attorney General of the state and the Roomster website that all deposit payment must be made to the Roomster website representative assigned for each booking for 100% safety and security of both landlord and most especially all candidate due to the horrible experiences we've had with some unreliable candidate in the past.

Your reservation will be controlled strictly by the Roomster website,this is why all deposit payment are made via the Roomster platform. No landlord/Agent is authorized to collect any money from any candidate before viewing and move in. You'll also be protected with a refund and cancellation policy so there is absolutely nothing for you to worry about since you'll be issued a valid Assured Tenancy Agreement Contract strictly from the Roomster website which will strongly indicate that you're the next official candidate to secure the apartment upon your date once your deposit payment is confirmed by the Roomster website.

Regards
Essie
Roomster Host

On Tue, Nov 15, 2016 at 8:25 PM, John Chiodo <john.chiodo@hotmail.com> wrote:
Okay I will check the paperwork out. Did you receive my text about a phone call to answer any questions we may have and to confirm that this is not an online scam. Thanks

John

Message Recieved

On Nov 15, 2016, at 3:01 PM, Essie heather Roomster Host <essieheather@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello John,

I sincerely appreciate your message and details about yourself. I've just received a notification from the Roomster website that an automated email as been sent to your inbox as regards to your refundable security deposit payment procedure for your reservation to be approved. Kindly check all folders in your e-mail and confirm this to me as you're expected to proceed with the deposit payment as informed with immediate effect. I'm also aware that your Assured Tenancy Agreement Contract will be prepared strictly from the Roomster website and sent to you once your deposit payment is confirmed by the Roomster website which will indicate that you're the next official candidate to secure my apartment upon your move-in date. I'll be looking forward to having you in my lovely apartment and will also wait for your reply as soon as possible.

Regards
Essie
Roomster Host

asked by Objector H. on 11/15/16