Is this a scam

rca779

I found this VW Passat on AutoTrader last week - ridiculously cheep, too cheep!

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/VOLKSWAGEN+PASSAT/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-19-40-51-143-4294967158-4294967159/advert.action?R=200820309782727&distance=158&postcode=gu51+5np&channel=CARS&make=VOLKSWAGEN&model=PASSAT&min_pr=&max_pr=5000&max_mileage=40000

Still I thought I'd send the seller an email to see if it was genuine. Today I received this reply

I am sorry I didn't reply earlier but I wasn't in town so please excuse me for the delay.
My name is Michael Clarke and I'm delighted to see that you are interested in my 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0 SE TDI (140 BHP)with only 32000 miles. The vehicle has full service history, it has the current MOT and it is until 01/09/2008. The HPI is clear.
The car is in excellent condition, the bodywork is immaculate, no scratches, dents or hidden defects as well as the interior in excellent non-smoking condition. I am the registered keeper and there is no outstanding finance on the vehicle. What can I say the car looks and drives like a new car.
I have recently moved to Germany because I have recently opened a small business here and I brought the car here too. The car will be shipped from here directly to your door.
Final price is £4,890.00 with shipping and insurance.
Probably you are asking why I am selling it so cheap.The truth off the matter is I have to sell my car reluctantly as I need to buy another car here in Germany, and I want to sell this one, because it`s still registered in the UK and it`s a right-hand drive car so it`s hard for me to drive it here where all the cars are left-hand drives, and I have to pay a lot of money to register it in this country.
Due to amount involved and due the fact that I am out of country, the sale will be conducted through a third party, Moneybookers Internet Payment Solutions, meaning that Moneybookers will hold and insure your money until receipt of the vehicle in good condition. You will be given a 14 days inspection period before releasing the payment. The inspection period is starting from the day you will receive the vehicle.
This deal will be done in a secure way, as Moneybookers will cover us both from any problems.

If you want to move forward with the purchase I will need your full name and a shipping address so I can register our transaction with Moneybookers. After that they will contact us with all the details.

I am ready to ship the car immediately if you are a genuine buyer.

All the best! Mike

I asked a colleague at work what he thought and he pointed me in the direction of this report from the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/7390335.stm


So what do you all think?
Is this a scam?
Surely no-one would sell a motor this cheaply

terryw

If it goes quack and tastes good with orange sauce it is probably a duck!

terryw

WestonDave

Google Moneybookers and scam in the same search. I wouldn't touch this with a barge pole.

mymatebob

pole and barge.
Two works which, when rearranged in the correct order would provide something with which I would not touch this.

EDIT - beat me to it WestonDave

inspector_monkfish

I smell African Money launder scam here......

RavenRae

I would be concerned. I was just looking at the moneybookers website and to me it just looks like paypal in the respect that its a place to transfer money. I could be wrong though.

LandyAndy

And they don't know that a 55 reg car would be coming up for its first MOT now not have one that is about to expire.