Is this a Car scam?

cluless198333

Im aware i am proberly asking a very stupid question and i think i already know the answer but i must be sure!...

I was browsing autotrader when i came across a VERY cheap mini, I Emailed the guy who has Emailed back explaining that him and his mini now live in portugal but he is struggling to sell it there so he is selling it back in the UK for a very attractive price, he assures me the it meets all UK legislations and that nothing is wrong with it- he also assures me that it will be free to ship and insure and a company will laise with us both.

Ive always felt that if somethings sounds to good to be true then it most like is!

Im a first time car buyer and ive only just passed my test, so Im not really that educated on these sort of things.

Anyways sorry for waffling on- Hope someone can help!:j

mikey72

It's a scam. The car doesn't exist. He'll send you the money to pay the shipping agent, you'll pay him back, along with the money for the car, he'll reclaim the money he sent you, and vanish.

cluless198333

Thanks I kinda guessed it was but I needed to be sure!:j

lee678

scam scam scam
its happening with all types of vehicles at all price ranges
autotrader arent interested
as always, if its too cheap to be true , it aint true

cluless198333

He just Emailed back with this- I think the fact its Yahhoo finance says it all!

Hello again,

Due to the fact that i am located outside UK and we can not deal in person,i`ve contacted Yahoo Finance regarding this issue and they told me that they could offer to me a program that is created especially for international transactions that protects both of us. They agreed to supervise this deal.
You will send the funds to Yahoo Finance and they will keep the money until you receive the vehicle and test it.In this way both buyer and seller are 100% covered during the steps of this transaction. They will hold and insure your money until receipt of the car in good condition. That is how their service is working. As far as the seller concerns, i will be glad to know that Yahoo Finance is in possession of the funds during the delivery period.
You will be given a 15 days inspection period from the day you receive the car at home( i will ship it to your address insured for full value to you ).
If you decide to keep the car, then you will have to authorize Yahoo Finance to release the funds to me, and the transaction is complete.If the vehicle is not as described ( perfect interior,exterior,mechanical condition ), you will be able to send the vehicle back through the same shipping company ( return postage at my expense ), and ask Yahoo Finance to return the money to you.

If you want to check the car here are the reg details #:

# Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM) PO58WHM
# VIN (chassis number) WMWRF320X0TN06757
Mileage – 43200
TAX until 04 2012, MOT until 09-June-2012
If you want to read more about Yahoo Finance service please visit :


If you want to get more info about their terms and condition please contact Yahoo Finance at:

If you wish to purchase it and agree to these terms i will need you to provide your full name and address. I will then notify Yahoo Finance and they will contact you to explain the entire procedure.

I will be waiting for your reply as soon as possible

nicolax

cluless198333 wrote: »

# Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM) PO58WHM
# VIN (chassis number) WMWRF320X0TN06757
Mileage – 43200
TAX until 04 2012, MOT until 09-June-2012

if hes in Portugal, why would the car have UK tax and MOT???

s_b

nicolax wrote: »

if hes in Portugal, why would the car have UK tax and MOT???

because he is cleverer than you;)

richard734

This needs fowarding to scambaiter or 419eater.
I would be SOOOO tempted to play him along for as I could... maybe get the cash for shipping off him etc...
But those guys at scambaiter are so much better at it than me!

Van_Berge

This is most definately a scam!!!
I too saw the advert on the Autotrader website. Immediately I thought it stank.... I wish I had left it there.
I pondered over it for a few days and then decided to email, I got a reply giving me his life story about moving back to Portugal with his parents. After several emails back and forth I am ashamed to say I was sucked in. I checked everything and all checked out. Or so I had thought. I discovered about 5 days after I had transfered the money that Yahoo Finance did not trade in international money transfers for cars. I felt sick and stupid. Autotrader told me immediately that it was a scam and that the advert had already been removed several times before I had seen it. Yahoo only quote their website and do not seem to want to get involed. The police passed me on to Action Fraud who basically just collect the information of the case.
I feel so embarressed to think that I could let myself get caught, I am normally quick to see these sort of things for what they are.
But what's done is done, it is only my pride that is hurt!
If only I had seen this forum first I wouldn't be in this mess.

Anyway. Take it from me nothing about the advert is real. They (If it is a they) are very clever and know exactly what to say and when to say it, all of the documentation looks genuine, even the emails from Yahoo Finance look authentic.

I have never posted anything on any kind of forum before so forgive me for waffling on - But if this can help anyone then at least some good can come out of all this.
Pass this on if you wish.

Good luck people:)