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Where's the rip-off?

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I've currently got my car for sale on Autotrader and have just received the email below, I'm sure it’s a scam...but can someone enlighten me how?

(I've included the name of emailer for obvious reasons!, Oh and how imaginitive is that name :rolleyes: )

*********************

Message:
Dear Sir/Madam,

I am interested in
purchasing this vehicle ,it suits my requirements perfectly,I run two garages ,one in Dublin and the other in the Netherlands, i shuffle most of my time between the two .
THESE ARE MY TERMS OF TRANSACTION:

1) I AM OKAY WITH THE STATED PRICE ON THE ADVERT.

2) I WILL BE PAYING WITH A BANKER'S DRAFT / CHEQUE WHICH I WILL ALLOW TO CLEAR BEFORE THE PICKUP/SHIPMENT OF THE CAR.

3) I WILL INCLUDE FEES FOR SHIPMENT IN PAYMENT, THIS MY SHIPPING AGENCY WILL USE FOR PICK-UP.

The excess funds will go towards covering costs for shipping,shippers fees,insurance,tax and any other expenses that might be incurred getting it down to the new owner.

I will want you to get in touch with the following details if my terms are okay:

FULL NAME......................
ADDRESS........................
COUNTY.........................
POST CODE......................
TELEPHONE NUMBERS..............(Mobile and Land)

As soon as i have your details,i can
have payment effected immediately,all things being equal,we should have this wrapped up by the end of this week.

Pls note that you'll have to send on the balance on the funds that you'll get to my shipper so he can come attend to the pick up as soon as you make the car ready.

I believe that most transaction are based on trust,so i will look forward to a successful transaction with you.

Best Regards,
Churchill Jefferson
In a small town south of the border, where men are men and women need a sense of humour.
«13

Comments

  • Bamber19
    Bamber19 Posts: 2,264 Forumite
    Eventually the money you receive will prove to have been a fraudulent transaction, your car will be gone and the money will be taken back aswell.

    Either that or it will be a real old school overpayment scam, they'll pay you even more, ask for you to refund the excess and then the same as above, except you'll be down even more cash.
    Bought, not Brought
  • tigerboo
    tigerboo Posts: 329 Forumite
    Bamber19 wrote: »
    Either that or it will be a real old school overpayment scam, they'll pay you even more, ask for you to refund the excess and then the same as above, except you'll be down even more cash.

    sorry to be a 'divvy' but where is the danger here? What if I just said "No, that's my valuation, you accepted it...so please go away...!"
    In a small town south of the border, where men are men and women need a sense of humour.
  • Browntoa
    Browntoa Posts: 49,602 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    you agree £3500 , cheque arrives for £4000 "by mistake" .You give them £500 cash "as it's easier than getting a new cheque" to the shipping agent plue their "fee"

    you are down £500 + the "fee" for shipping AND the car as the cheques Stolen/forged
    Ex forum ambassador

    Long term forum member
  • adamtango
    adamtango Posts: 34 Forumite
    Think i've sussed it ....

    The 'terms' are likely to be satisfactory to any potential buyers. This will ensure you fill out the details. Personally i think it is just a way to gain your details, possibly for identy fraud.

    The main clue i believe to be here...
    tigerboo wrote: »
    FULL NAME......................


    They don't just want your name, they specifically want your full name.

    Even if im wrong about this... i am certain that you should not reply to them...Unless you give a false name and details to mess them around a little.
    Its definitly a scam , one way or another.

    Best wishes
  • sarahg1969
    sarahg1969 Posts: 6,694 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The Dutch/Irish buyer scam is quite prevalent at the moment. Two of my work colleagues were approached in a similar manner. Both were selling fairly high-value cars.
  • Bamber19
    Bamber19 Posts: 2,264 Forumite
    adamtango wrote: »
    Think i've sussed it ....

    The 'terms' are likely to be satisfactory to any potential buyers. This will ensure you fill out the details. Personally i think it is just a way to gain your details, possibly for identy fraud.

    The main clue i believe to be here...



    They don't just want your name, they specifically want your full name.

    Even if im wrong about this... i am certain that you should not reply to them...Unless you give a false name and details to mess them around a little.
    Its definitly a scam , one way or another.

    Best wishes

    I'm sure that can be gained with the electoral register anyway, it will simply be a fraudulet payment scam that 6 months down the line the cash is taken back out the account as it was paid for by a stolen cheque, credit card or account.
    Bought, not Brought
  • tigerboo
    tigerboo Posts: 329 Forumite
    sarahg1969 wrote: »
    Two of my work colleagues were approached in a similar manner. Both were selling fairly high-value cars.

    TBH...this isn't a high value car, but is a high power Japanese import...not sure if that makes diffenece :confused:
    In a small town south of the border, where men are men and women need a sense of humour.
  • d123
    d123 Posts: 8,730 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Browntoa has already said what the scam is, you give your car + the "excess" from his cheque to the person picking the car up, about a month later the cheque proves to be fraudulent and you lose the car + the cash or they have a problem in the collection and then ask you to forward the "balance" onto the shipper.
    Pls note that you'll have to send on the balance on the funds that you'll get to my shipper so he can come attend to the pick up as soon as you make the car ready.
    ====
  • Bamber19
    Bamber19 Posts: 2,264 Forumite
    tigerboo wrote: »
    TBH...this isn't a high value car, but is a high power Japanese import...not sure if that makes diffenece :confused:

    Their criteria might be desireability. If they scam you and get a high power japanese car they should be able to get rid of it quite easily, there's always going to be a market for them, in the same way that high value cars are desireable so that may be why they've tried it with you.
    Bought, not Brought
  • tigerboo
    tigerboo Posts: 329 Forumite
    tigerboo wrote: »

    Pls note that you'll have to send on the balance on the funds that you'll get to my shipper so he can come attend to the pick up as soon as you make the car ready.

    Light bulb moment!!!

    Ahaaa...

    So, they pay me (for E.G) £5k, and I get £4.5k...and pay £500 cash to shipper...later I'm stripped of whole £5k and I’m £500 and my car short...and believe it or not, but I consider myself to be quite clever...

    Wonder how many people get sucked in by this?

    Thanks for the enlightenment people.
    In a small town south of the border, where men are men and women need a sense of humour.
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