Fiona Cheyne (the name she used in all her communication with me) rented accomodation from me in Gibraltar. She contacted me in reply to an advertisement I had placed in Party Gaming where she was working at the time. Very polite and courteous she explained to me how she needed to move quickly because living in the neighbouring town was extremely onerous. I drew up a 6 month contract and which we duely signed where she gave me a month’s rent and deposit. Little did I know that was the last time I would receive money from her.

A month into her contract she said that the fridge was broken. I was not in the country at the time and she offered to buy the appliance and take it off the rent. When I returned I went to see the fridge and the relevant receipt and collect the balance of the rent. At this point I met her son (which I believe to be Seb) who was also very polite and aimiable. The fridge was very expensive so the balance was not that large and she did not have the money there and then so we agreed to add it to her following months rent. We also agreed to set up a direct debit to make the rent payments easier to administer.

When the next rent was due the money did not come into the bank. She assured me that bank had made a mistake which was very plausible with my previous dealings with the said bank. She said she would get straight to the bank and sort it from which she informed me it would be with me in the next week. When that money did not come in I rang again and Seb answered the phone saying his mother was very ill in hospital and he will be sorting out her finances. He then assured me it would be there the following week by which time I was out of the country again.

I then tried a series of phone calls and emails which got no reply until I returned to Gibraltar to find that the flat was empty of all her belongings. She had left large bills owing on the house which I had to pay off myself. On top of this she had left owing me 3 months rent and 2 more months left on the contract.

A week later I returned to the flat only to find the door locked. I banged on the door expecting to see Fiona but another frightened German lady answered the door. She had rented the accomodation off Fiona paying her for a month’s rent and deposit.

Via email I threatened I would go to the police if I did not receive my money and that of the German lady. She yet again promised a payment the following week and she did not deliver. I can truly say I have never been lied to so many times by anybody in my life before.