Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#1
I have decided to sell my lovely Volvo and have put an advert in the Dover Express and Autotrader.
I had an email from someone, supposedly in Dublin who had seen the car and wanted to buy it without seeing it.
He would be happy to pay me extra money for it and I would pay his shipping agents when they come to pick it up.
I thought it a bit odd (as you do - why would someone in Dublin want to buy a car in Dover and pay me extra ?)
I contacted AutoTrader and they confirmed it is a scam.
I've had two more scam emails since then, so please, if you are selling your car, there are scammers in this sector too.
Here's the scam so you'll recognise it, if you get one.
HELLO SELLER,
I SAW THE ADVERT OF YOUR CAR ON AUTOTRADER. WHICH IS FOR SALE. I AM OKAY
WITH THE CONDITIONS OF THE CAR AND I AM READY TO BUY FROM YOU. I AM BASED
IN DUBLIN IRELAND ,BUT AT THE MOMENT AM ENGAGED IN ALOT OF THINGS TO
COME FOR THE VIEWING OF THE CAR. AM OKAY WITH YOUR PRICE AND AM READY TO
GIVE YOU
EXTRA'S OF Ł100 EXTRA FOR SECURING OF THE CAR SO IT WOULD NOT BE SOLD TO
ANOTHER BUYER,AND FOR YOU TO KNOW HOW COMMITED I AM IN BUYING FROM YOU.I
WILL LIKE YOU TO KNOW THAT I CAN'T COME FOR THE VIEWING OF THE CAR AS
EARLIER STATED CAUSE I'M VERY BUSY AT WORK RIGHT NOW, BUT WITH WHAT I
SAW ON THE
ADVERT I AM SATISFIED.I WILL LIKE YOU TO SEND ME SOME PICTURES OF THE
PRESENT LOOK OF THE CAR.I LOVE THIS PARTICULAR MODEL.I WILL BE VERY
HAPPY IF THE CAR IS
MINE. I WILL ALSO WANT YOU TO KNOW I WILL BE PAYING YOU WITH A BANKER'S
DRAFT, THE AMOUNT ON THIS DRAFT WILL BE MORE THAN THE PRICE OF YOUR CAR
[OVERPAYMENT].THE EXCESS FUND ON THE DRAFT WILL BE FOR MY SHIPPING
COMPANY THAT WILL COME FOR PICKUP OF THE CAR AND SOME OF MY OTHER ITEMS
I ALREADY BHOUGHT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE UK .ONCE YOU HAVE FUNDS CLEARED IN
TO YOUR ACCOUNT YOU WILL DEDUCT YOUR TOTAL MONEY
PLUS THE EXTRA'S FROM THE FUNDS AND WIRE THE EXCESS TO MY SHIPPING
COMPANY FOR PICKUP, SO
THAT THEY CAN PROCEED WITH THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK AND ARRANGE WITH YOU A
CONVINIENT DATE AND TIME FOR PICKUP.
IF THIS IS OKAY BY YOU,YOU WILL HAVE TO GET BACK TO ME WITH SOME NECESSARY
INFORMATION WHICH WILL BE NEEDED FOR THIS TRANSACTION TO PROCEED.
THE INFORMATION IS AS FOLLOW; YOUR FULL NAME....
YOUR FULL ADDRESS WITH POSTCODE......
YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBERS BOTH OFFICE AND MOBILE/HOME NUMBERS...
N:B
THE NAME YOU GIVE WILL BE THE NAME YOU WILL SEE ON THE CHEQUE AND IT
WILL BE SENT TO THE ADDRESS YOU MAIL TO ME.YOUR PHONE NUMBERIS FOR TIME
TO TIME
CONTACT.ALSO IF ANY BUYER CONTACT YOU ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR CAR, PLEASE
TELL THEM IT'S ALREADY BEEN SOLD CAUSE AM READY TO MAKE PAYMENT AS SOON
AS I GET THOSE DETAILS NEEDED FROM YOU..
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO A HAPPY TRANSACTION.
HOPING TO READ FROM YOU SOON.
REGARDS,
Not good English, but that's not important; it immediately sounds dodgy when you read it, but there must be some people who would fall for it. He didn't even want to see the car.
Anyone want to buy a great Volvo ? superb condition, reliable and looked after for 7 years ?
Roger
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#2
That sounds like a Nigerian scam. Thanks for the 'heads up' on the latest scam.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 699- Registered: 3 Jun 2010
- Posts: 292
#3
had the same a year ago --- advertised in friday ad and got email from scotland sating would buy £1000 car and pick up without looking at it
normally ask to put £5000 in your bank and you pay back difference that way they get your bank details
when we said dont have bank account only take cash ----- they moved quicker than a leopard on western heights !!!!!
for a car under £1000 i found ashford auctioners will give a market valuation that is spot on --- the man who runs the auction is very experinced and no rip off prices
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
does sound like a nigerian scam, probably the same chap who offered to share his fortune with me for just a small up front deposit.