Possible Scam?

mrlewlew

Hello.

I am advertising my car for sale for £20,000 and have been contacted by a gentleman who claims he buys cars to sell back to dealers and make a small profit. The issue is he is 350 miles away from me, never seen the car but has offered to pay the full amount by bank transfer and arrange a carrier to come collect my car and deliver it to him.

Is this normal? Iv checked his email and mobile number on Facebook, Google etc but no results at all. I cant even find someone with his name and his age on public records.

What should I be looking out for with a bank transfer payment to ensure a) its his money from his account and b) it cannot be later recalled for any reasons.

The car is fairly new but due to us finding out we have a baby on the way we need an estate car to handle 2 prams (as our saloon doesnt have a big boot opening).

Any help / advice will be really appreciated

weeowens

I would run a mile. Why would he shell out £20K on an unseen car nevermind all the possible banking fraud elements.
Would you pay that on a car without checking it ? I know that I would not.

weeowens

A few bits re the banking/paypal bit: http://blogs.norman.com/2012/for-consumption/buyer-purchasing-car-with-paypal-scam

http://www.hotukdeals.com/misc/selling-gumtree-a-high-value-item-recieving-money-via-bank-transfer-buyer-collecting-1003360

https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/Access-and-security/SELLING-CARS-ON-GUMTREE-SCAM-TO-WATCH-FOR/m-p/1059995?profile.language=en-gb

weeowens

Have you tried selling to a local dealer or via: https://www.webuyanycar.com/

worried_jim

Its a total scam. Cease all contact with him.

warwicktiger

Would you buy a car unseen for the full asking price knowing it will cost you money to transport it?

Invite the guy to come and view by all means, tell him to arrange to be able to cash a counter cheque at a bank branch near you, if he does then go with him to the bank and queue with him, pay the cash straight back in. If he is unwilling to do that invite him to go elsewhere.

Hoof_Hearted

Don't bother. It's a well-known scam.

rich13348

Steer clear its a scam, same as the PayPal scam.

khcomp

Sell it to me instead: I have to deposit a large amount of money (£50,000), so I can put this into your bank - I'll then send a driver to collect the car, and the balance of the cash (you can even keep £5,000 for your trouble)

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

mrlewlew

I Invited him up and he told me it would eat into his small profit on flights etc...

Could someone briefly explain how the scam works? Iv never heard of this before.

Stevie_Palimo

weeowens wrote: »

Have you tried selling to a local dealer or via: https://www.webuyanycar.com/

Sorry weeowens this is a terrible idea and I would advise anyone with an ounce of common sense to avoid these guys like the plague, Better off with a smaller independent garage or a chain that is not to do with www. we rip you off for your car . con