Calling all fraud experts

vipergrm · 8 Jul 2009 at 23:32

Hi folks,

I'm hoping some of you can advise me on this. I am basically looking to buy a car and I came across a lovely Audi on Gumtree advertised in the Belfast area for a very reasonable price. The guy had no contact number so I emailed him via Gumtree and this is the reply I got.

Hello,
First of all I want to thank you for your interest for my car. I am selling this 2003 AUDI A4 TDi130 QUATTRO SPORT AVANT because my platoon has been sent back to Afganistan and don't want it get old in my backyard. The price is low because I need to sell it before Jul 14th. This AUDI A4 is in excellent working conditions, no scratches, flaws or any kind of damage, slightly used in 100% working and looking conditions. The price is not negotiable, £3200 GBP firm. The car is in with me in Germany, in case it gets sold I will take care of shipping. Let me know if you are interested, email back.
More pictures available at:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2009-6/1342403/2095625

Manufacturer:Audi, Model:A4 Estate, Mileage:89674, Transmission:Manual,Engine Size:1,896cc, 4-Wheel Drive, Air Conditioning, Alarm, Alloy Wheels, AM/FM Stereo, CD Player, Central Locking, Climate Control, Electric Windows, Navigation System, Power-assisted Steering (PAS), Tilt Steering Wheel, Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Driver Airbag, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Immobiliser, Passenger Airbag, Rear seat belts, Side Airbags.

Thanks,

First of all, the car is obviously NOT in Belfast and shipping a car from Germany would probably cost more than the car itself! Secondly, the English is absolutely abysmul. I'm well aware that this is a blatant attempt of fraud so I was wondering how I could report his email address or catch this guy out in some way. Eventually he will catch somoene out even though this was a really pathetic attempt. Who can I report this to?

I typed an email out with lots of nasty language and bad wishes but I haven't sent it yet as I'm not so sure this is the right thing to do. Have any of you guys experienced this before? Any advice welcome!

GeForce · 8 Jul 2009 at 23:48

Why is this in the Windows forum?

theheyes · 8 Jul 2009 at 23:51

vipergrm said:
Secondly, the English is absolutely abysmul.

Sorry, I'm just a sucker for irony.

Generally you would contact the ads company. I wouldn't bother sending the rude email, he'll probably just add it to a spam list. Waste of time.

Unfortunately if someone is going to fall for a scam if it's not that one there won't be long to wait before another comes along.

meghatronic · 9 Jul 2009 at 00:16

If he's military, there is a chance the car could be shipped back by them. Just saying.

bledd · 9 Jul 2009 at 00:35

ask for bread pics etc..

don't send ANY money until you've got the car.

vipergrm · 9 Jul 2009 at 01:12

Thanks guys. I have deleted my email rant and decided to ignore it! You all make great points, but this is far too fishy and I'm not going to take the risk. It's more than £2k cheaper than anywhere else I've seen and the fact that he doesn't provide a number makes it even more suspicious. I don't know why I posted it in the Windows forum so apologies for that! I was just in a bit of a rage at the time. Thanks all. :-)

Heliospherez · 9 Jul 2009 at 01:29

He states :

"I dont want it to get old in my backyard"

and then states "it is with me in Germany"

It sounds a bit dodgy - and for me personally I wouldn't go near it.....but..

1st question to ask - Where is he ?
Then - Where is the car ?
Then - Where is the car registered ?
Then - How much to get the car into the UK if it's not here ?
Then - where is the history / log book VIN etc.

Simple.

dovey · 9 Jul 2009 at 01:30

Run as soon as you see £*** followed by gbp

Nomisf · 9 Jul 2009 at 03:15

^^ To be honest the "blah blah blah this AUDI A4" with the caps and all kind of gives it away too !

gillywibble · 9 Jul 2009 at 07:51

What's the e-mail address?

Priapus · 9 Jul 2009 at 07:55

Nomisf said:
^^ To be honest the "blah blah blah this AUDI A4" with the caps and all kind of gives it away too !

This along with his, English gives it away. Would not go near the sale.

Paul11 · 9 Jul 2009 at 08:03

scambait him

p-chan · 9 Jul 2009 at 09:33

Its not unreasonable to assume this guy is German. If so, it could explain his poor English...

antijoke · 9 Jul 2009 at 09:34

It's a scam.

vipergrm · 9 Jul 2009 at 16:49

gillywibble said:
What's the e-mail address?

[email protected]

antijoke · 9 Jul 2009 at 16:50

Honestly dude, it's a scam.

vipergrm · 9 Jul 2009 at 16:52

dovey said:
Run as soon as you see £*** followed by gbp

lol good point

vipergrm · 9 Jul 2009 at 16:55

divosuk said:
He states :

"I dont want it to get old in my backyard"

and then states "it is with me in Germany"

It sounds a bit dodgy - and for me personally I wouldn't go near it.....but..

1st question to ask - Where is he ?
Then - Where is the car ?
Then - Where is the car registered ?
Then - How much to get the car into the UK if it's not here ?
Then - where is the history / log book VIN etc.

Simple.

I'm wondering if I should ask these questions along with payment method just out of interest?

vipergrm · 9 Jul 2009 at 16:56

anticonscience said:
Honestly dude, it's a scam.

Agreed

antijoke · 9 Jul 2009 at 16:58

Payment method will be you wire/transfer/etc the money to him.

Tell him you are going on a business trip to Germany next week, and can pay in whatever currency suits him, when you view the car. It's good sport, but a complete waste of time as the car doesn't exist.

I played this game a lot when I looked for my BMW, as on pistonheads there are a huge amount of these adds with stupidly cheap prices for a car worth lots more.