Sold my car to a guy in Malta, is it safe?

Dr House · 6 Apr 2014 at 21:09

Hi

I put my 911 up for sale yesterday and struck a deal with a guy from Malta. He is going to give me a £5k deposit now and fly over to collect it in 3 weeks.

Assuming he pays by bank transfer is this 110% safe, is there no way it can be retracted?

Do I need to do any money laundering checks?

rodenal · 6 Apr 2014 at 21:11

I *think* chaps is irreversible? Its not that uncommon for UK cars to be exported now so if the guy seems legit that's not necessarily a worry

floatindolphin · 6 Apr 2014 at 21:11

uh oh.....

Has he even seen the car/test driven?

Dr House · 6 Apr 2014 at 21:12

floatindolphin said:
uh oh.....

Has he even seen the car/test driven?

No but in all fairness I have bought expensive cars without seeing them a few times now.

Maccapacca · 6 Apr 2014 at 21:13

Are you 110% sure it's 'as described'?

Dr House · 6 Apr 2014 at 21:16

maccapacca said:
Are you 110% sure it's 'as described'?

I am going to take a lot of photos and a video to send to him but if he arrives and changes his mind I will just refund his deposit.

OhEsEcks · 6 Apr 2014 at 21:29

If they mention Western Union, run a mile.

Cleisthenes · 6 Apr 2014 at 21:47

I look forward to seeing how this pans out

Participant · 6 Apr 2014 at 21:54

Chaps is irrevocable after close of business day of receipt. If you wake up the following morning and there's no corresponding debit, you're safe.

Dogbreath · 6 Apr 2014 at 22:05

Participant said:
Chaps is irrevocable after close of business day of receipt. If you wake up the following morning and there's no corresponding debit, you're safe.

Assuming that the transfer wasn't made fraudulently, e.g. from a hijacked bank account.

Dr House · 6 Apr 2014 at 22:26

Dogbreath said:
Assuming that the transfer wasn't made fraudulently, e.g. from a hijacked bank account.

This is my worry. I will call the bank tomorrow and see what they have to say.

The Running Man · 6 Apr 2014 at 22:34

Sounds dodgy. I got loads of emails offering me a deal like this when I put mine on autotrader. ..beware..

Westyfield2 · 6 Apr 2014 at 23:36

Dr House said:
Sold my car to a guy in Malta, is it safe?

No. They all drive like **** morons and it will get crashed.

(I've got some Maltese family and been there loads so am allowed to say that

)

Dr House · 6 Apr 2014 at 23:41

The Running Man said:
Sounds dodgy. I got loads of emails offering me a deal like this when I put mine on autotrader. ..beware..

I would normally think so but he has not asked for anything unusual. He will send a deposit first, fly down and pick up the car. I also googled him and he seems to be a honest professional but you never really know.

The__Malteser · 7 Apr 2014 at 07:02

Westyfield2 said:
No. They all drive like **** morons and it will get crashed.

(I've got some Maltese family and been there loads so am allowed to say that )

That is true

If it doesn't go well and you need some help, feel free to tell me.

matthab · 7 Apr 2014 at 08:50

This can only end well

p1RATE · 7 Apr 2014 at 09:10

Westyfield2 said:
No. They all drive like **** morons and it will get crashed.

My brother and i met with a couple of maltesers who wanted to buy my dads 68 dodge charter 6 weeks ago. On the test drive i thought they were going to wreck the thing, they were doing doughnuts and hooning it about no end.

We actually agreed to sell it to them and we are still waiting on the return of the v5 from the DVLA as the vin was mistyped. Once the document has been corrected we will be dropping it off at an exporters in Birmingham where the money will be transferred and documents signed.

They looked like a couple of Sopanos too...

mjt · 7 Apr 2014 at 09:10

I don't think it's an issue.
It doesn't scream scam to me at all. If you've Googled him and found him then I'm sure it'll be fine

PaulyD · 7 Apr 2014 at 12:44

Westyfield2 said:
No. They all drive like **** morons and it will get crashed.

(I've got some Maltese family and been there loads so am allowed to say that )

After having a holiday in Malta I would have to agree! Bus drivers would just pull up in the street and get out to chat to people!

booyaka · 7 Apr 2014 at 13:03

A quick google turns up loads of threads about people buying cars from Malta. It's a scam 100%.

Steer well clear. The cash sale will never materialise. Once they have established a raport with you they will then try and change things and roll out the con. Many permiatations to the scam such as a cash deposit then turining up for collection with a draft or offer of transfer.

Just think about it - why would someone pay £5k deposit for a car they have never seen or driven, then wait 3 weeks to pick it up.

Sold my car to a guy in Malta, is it safe?

Tea Drinker