Fallen for AutoTrader Scam

ChumLee

mlawson wrote: »

The phone had been switched on right up until the point he text saying he was 5 mins away from picking me up. Then it's been off since.

Yes, if it was a new sim with an amount of credit already on then it may not be much use. If however they have topped it up there is a line of enquiry.

Stevie_Palimo

I'd say you have more chance of it raining gold coins than seeing anything here, Action fraud and the Police will do nothing barr log a reference and the bank will see this as your error and not there's as you willingly paid the guy, As for him not agreeing the first offer this is to lure you in with the hopes of thinking he was genuine.


May be a nasty lesson learned but for me wasting time and effort on this would in the most likelihood get nothing but and cost more money, time and heartache. Now should the bank be willing to assist which they are by rights allowed to refuse then happy days but that is sure as hell a mighty long shot here. Good luck anyway.

Minrich

Was the Advert on Autotrader itself ? There will be IP address info there too , which adds to the info already outlined that those investigating can work on ..... IP address could just be the local library so don't hold your breath .

ChumLee

Minrich wrote: »

Was the Advert on Autotrader itself ? There will be IP address info there too , which adds to the info already outlined that those investigating can work on ..... IP address could just be the local library so don't hold your breath .

Or the same mobile he already has the number for.

Hoof_Hearted

These people are utter counts. I have been banging on about Autotrader not doing enough and I used to trawl through the email-only ads for cars with ridiculously low prices and report them as scams. You don't see so many of these about now but these low-lifes still operate.

Thank you for reporting this here as it will serve as a reminder.

FreddieFrugal

I'm sorry that I can't be of any help, but I really feel for you. It's a horrible situation to be in. I hope that this is resolved for you as quickly as possible.

Thank you for posting this though. At the very least it's a warning for others who could fall into the same trap.

arcon5

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

These people are utter counts. I have been banging on about Autotrader not doing enough and I used to trawl through the email-only ads for cars with ridiculously low prices and report them as scams. You don't see so many of these about now but these low-lifes still operate.

Thank you for reporting this here as it will serve as a reminder.

That's because not all of them are fraudulent and it's not possible for them to know exactly which are

interstellaflyer

ChumLee wrote: »

Yes, before you bite any further this along with speeding is a criminal offence.

Sorry to go slightly off topic.

Speeding is not a criminal offence, you do not get a criminal record for speeding, in fact very few motoring offences are actually criminal offences.

macman

Leaving aside the fraud issue, why would you pay a 'security' deposit on a vehicle you have not seen?
There is no such thing as a 'security' deposit: paying a deposit confirms a contract to buy the vehicle at an agreed price.
So if the car had been genuine, but upon inspection you'd decided not to proceed, you could in theory be sued by the trader for the value of the contract (though in practice you'd simply have lost your deposit).
Realistically there is minimal prospect of recovering your deposit, even if the offender is tracked down. Sorry.

Double_V

Why they cannot locate him through his bank ?
And also why can't bank give you back your money and then recover his his bank.
It looks to me. You can do all little frauds/scams here and can get away with it.
:@