Virtual Vehicle Scam

Ed · 9 Jun 2009 at 07:19

It seems that, at last, there is acknowledgement about this long term problem of fake cars on websites and perhaps they'll start to screen them more effectively.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8090559.stm

It still amazes me people hand over thousands of pounds without seeing what they're buying. I wonder if anybody uses the comment form to cough up to being a victim?

Muffin` · 9 Jun 2009 at 07:46

Ed said:
It still amazes me people hand over thousands of pounds without seeing what they're buying.

It's old news of people buying things that seem too good to be true and handing money over so someone else can trust. The guy on the BBC news didn't exactly look like your typical thicko, just lacked common sense.

eidolon · 9 Jun 2009 at 09:43

The French guy who bought my Elise transferred £16,500 without seeing the car, knowing my address or anything!

Jez · 9 Jun 2009 at 12:04

eidolon said:
The French guy who bought my Elise transferred £16,500 without seeing the car, knowing my address or anything!

You must have been just slightly tempted there

eidolon · 9 Jun 2009 at 12:16

I could've easily just not turned up at the airport to pick him up, he'd have been totally stuck as he didn't know where I lived or anything!

Kitchster_uk · 9 Jun 2009 at 12:21

The problem deals tend not to be the ones that are the right price for the car, they are the ones that are £1000's too cheap that sucker total idiots who think they are getting an 3 year old M5 for £20k.

Goksly · 9 Jun 2009 at 12:42

eidolon said:
The French guy who bought my Elise transferred £16,500 without seeing the car, knowing my address or anything!

It's people like him who make scams like this possible (ignoring the fact that its a sad state you can't really put trust in people any more). Why wouldnt you want to spend £100 more (hotel for the night after seeing vehicle to allow bank transfer to go through) than risk it.

Risk vs Reward and all that jazz.