Car fraud

[chriswt]

I'm trying to sell my car at the moment on Autotrader and Pistonheads and am shocked by the amount of people trying to defraud me.

10 years ago the only problems you encountered were the odd telesales company trying to sell you space on there website but now everyone is trying to con you.

And the sad thing is that there is nothing that you can do to stop it. Although I have just reported a false 3.2 Audi TT advert to the Pistonheads administrator. 2004 model with 35k on the clock for £10k.....I don't think so.

 

[crockers]

Talk us through the "fraud"....so we can see what you mean....otherwise your post is bit vague...

 

[chriswt]

Sorry, I was expecting lots of people to have experienced the same thing.

Here is an email from the seller of the Audi TT after I asked him if when I could see the car. This is the lastest fraud idea I've come across but I've also been sent fake cheques for £15,000 etc. Whether you're buying or selling you seem to be at risk from these idiots.


>>> David Coleman <[email protected]> 09/07/2007 12:49 >>>
Hi Chris,

The car won't be delivered back to the UK unless I find someone who agrees to
buy it and in order to secure the delivery of the vehicle I've applied for
the services of a local freight company that will handle the delivery and
will hold the money until you receive, inspect and accept the vehicle.
The car is now at their warehouse and has been inspected by them before being
accepted for shipping.I've paid for a complete delivery service meaning that the shippers will
deliver to your exact address. I have also paid for a 3 days inspection
period, during this time you will be able to inspect the car at any dealer or
independent inspection authority in the UK.
You won't have to pay me, you will pay the shipping company as they are
handling the whole transaction.

Regards
David


Basically they put underpriced cars on Pistonhead and Autotrade and wait for someone the deposit some money in a fake Autotrader account etc.

 

[barryj]

People post cars for sale (e-bay classifides is the classic place), they are significantly below market value but not to the point where someone after a bargain wont take a chance. If you want to buy it you ring/e-mail them and a very plausible person will say that there has been so much interest that they need to take a substantial deposit by transfer or draft to secure the car.

Of course you lose your money and never see the car, I would imagine if the law ever caught up with them they simply say that you defaulted and lost your deposit........................its then a civil matter and up to you to prove otherwise.

Most of us would never be taken in by such a thing but I can only assume it works as the adverts cost money to place on e-bay and there are hundreds of such adverts on their now.

Sorry to jump in but I assume that these are the types of fraud you are talking about.

 

[crockers]

I raised this a while back

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=38436&highlight=scam

 

[chriswt]

I knew that the Audi was a fake but wanted to email him before I shopped him into the administrator at Pistonheads but it will only take a few minutes to knock up another advert.

I know that most poeple wont fall for these adverts but when I see one it feels a bit like walking past a hole in the pavement know that eventually someone is going to fall down it.

The reason that it annoys me so much is that I had a foreign guy ring me up the other day wanting to buy my car and I was very wary of him. After already getting several bogus calls and emails that week I wasn't sure if I should give him my address. However I did and he turned up on time driving a newish Audi and wearing a suit. Fingers crossed he might even buy it. Its a shame that I have to be so wary of everyone that takes an interest.

 

[chriswt]

Had a guy from Cyprus call me up and said that his UK rep would call me today. Indeed the UK rep did and said that he wants to see the car asap and told me that it will probably go to Cyprus for parts!!! (why pay top money for my immaculate car then) Anyway all their phone numbers came up on my mobile and they were very friendly.

Also had the same kind of thing but from a man from Derby asking if his representitive could come and see the car.

What kind of con could they be planning?

 

[Howard]

Seeing where you live and what your house is like (security/layout wise) , so they can pop back later and nick it ?

 

[chriswt]

They're welcome....its got GAP insurance!!

Just as long as they don't come into the house to nick the keys.

 

[crockers]

Seeing where you live and what your house is like (security/layout wise) , so they can pop back later and nick it ?

The will need one hell of a truck to nick his house...:bannana:

 

[crockers]

Had a guy from Cyprus call me up and said that his UK rep would call me today. Indeed the UK rep did and said that he wants to see the car asap and told me that it will probably go to Cyprus for parts!!! (why pay top money for my immaculate car then) Anyway all their phone numbers came up on my mobile and they were very friendly.

Also had the same kind of thing but from a man from Derby asking if his representitive could come and see the car.

What kind of con could they be planning?

Why not agree to meet them at a friends house..... but two calls of the same nature --- thought of calling your local friendly police station to see if they are aware of anything dubious going on in your area? Also the numbers that came up on your phone - were they UK mobiles or foreign numbers .. if mobiles insist on a landline number before committing to a meeting...

Will the "representative" be able to make a decision and pay a deposit? If not then why send him?


Or forget it and wait for someone more "trustworthy" to call ...

:bannana:

 

[Howard]

The will need one hell of a truck to nick his house...:bannana:

Wah Wah Waaaaaaaahhhh .....

 

[janner]

Wonder what happens when a scam artist buyer contacts a scam artist seller?

 

[barryj]

Wonder what happens when a scam artist buyer contacts a scam artist seller?

Have you heard the result when Scott Mills on radio one puts two fast food take away's on the line to each other? similar I would have thought.......................

 

[Gucci]

Wonder what happens when a scam artist buyer contacts a scam artist seller?

They make a baby scam?

 

[edthedead]

They make a baby scam?

Whats that? They post a baby for sale at vastly under the market value... surely that must be illegal!

 

[Howard]

Not if your're Madonna, or Angelina Jolie

 

[NW_Merc]

Not if your're Madonna, or Angelina Jolie

Is that because brown is the new black? (sorry don't hit me)