Car Fraud : Where to Start ?

sheramber

What is the name on the bank account you sent the money to?

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935455#Comment_81935455

So a housing estate then?

If they are not responding to email, then that really leaves LBA & court.

You said they had to rush off for EID, could be that they were away all weekend celebrating.

Ectophile

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81934094#Comment_81934094

I think the only possibility there is if you can show that the account you paid money to was fraudulent; if it was in the name of a company that doesn't even exist.

Eminster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935500#Comment_81935500

I instructed a private investigator (no trace no fees) and from all the details I gave them (names, addresses, email, phone number, online advs etc) came out ZERO .

If I'm an honest trader (or individual) why should I spend time hiding my tracks for example giving false address or pretending to be an Ltd to gain trust? This is the line between civil and criminal fraud

'made a false representation dishonestly knowing that the representation was or might be untrue or misleading with intent to make a gain for himself or another, to cause loss to another or to expose another to risk of loss'

Or as trader you can not know if the engine has a failure (assuming he didn't swap it, which would make his position even worst) because you are a competent person

'failed to disclose information to another person when he was under a legal duty to disclose that information dishonestly intending, by that failure, to make a gain or cause a loss'

Eminster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935712#Comment_81935712

In two weeks they had :

1.Refurbish alloy wheels

2. Replace two rear tyres (done on day one)

2. Fix the undertray (2-3 screws)

3. Valet the car (was not even polished but just washed and hoovered)

They were not away as he said and if that was the case meet me on Thursday ?

Aylesbury_Duck

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81936648#Comment_81936648

How good a job has that PI done if you only instructed them less than two days ago?

Anyway, if the PI has exhausted all avenues then you've reached a dead end. All you can do is pay to have the car fixed, or sell it for spares/repair and cut your losses.

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81936648#Comment_81936648

I think there are plenty red flags to indicate this is not an honest trader.

Meeting somebody in a random place and paying by bank transfer are two very large ones.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81936648#Comment_81936648

Fraud is a criminal matter, it therefore requires intent, doesnt actually require losses to have occurred and can cover things like abuse of position. In a civil context you would normally be considering the tort of deceit rather than fraud and a number of factors are different like it doesnt require intent as reckless actions can be considered deceitful but there must actually be an actual loss and not just an attempt.

One of the key elements of the civil case is you have to show you were reliant on the information given, so just because their address isnt what they said wouldnt be enough on its own unless you can convince the court that you wouldnt have bought from them if you knew they really lived at number 5 Smith Close when they told you they lived at 3 Smith Close.

That is a remarkably quick turnaround for an investigator. Given its conditional funding I'd guess they only do the most cursory checks as not to spend any material time on searches that they may end up not being paid for. The services and outcomes from those doing conditional funding can be very different to those who are being paid time and material irrespective of the outcome.

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81936689#Comment_81936689

Did they do all that work?

Did they ever go into the house you met at? (or where exactly did you meet them)

Have you got any evidence (3rd party report) on the issue?

So in reality here, this is just a matter that you have bought a car & it is faulty. With the seller not responding. (quite common) rather than fraud.

As they have others for sale, do you know anyone that can ring up to arrange a viewing & then you turn up as well to talk to them.

user1977

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81936648#Comment_81936648

But if you've looked up the house on the Land Registry, didn't you bother checking who the owner is?