Is this a scam?

chris0211

chris0211

chris0211

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Joined
4 Aug 2011
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3
Been a lurker on her for ages but never really post but thought someone might be able to see how this scam would work or if it even is a scam(I'm pretty sure it is).

I advertised my car 2 days ago on Gumtree, This morning a received a text from a number starting +33. After a bit of research this appears to be a french number. The text said
Can you email my husband at ***@gmail.com with some info, photos if the car is still for sale. We have low reception in our area.
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Immediately alarm bells are ringing as they haven't asked for any extra info on the car and if they could get my number they must have already loaded up the advert so would have seen the car and all the info.

I couldn't see how it could benefit them if I email the exact details on the advert and photos from it, so I did this.

I have now received a reply to the email which says
Hi There, Thanks for your email. I really want to buy your car as i need it on my arrival to the UK. Will be travelling from France and will be there in the next few days. If you can wait a few days i will pay your asking price in cash. I can pay 15% deposit by PayPal or Bank transfer so that you can hold it for me as i love it in all aspects. My bank here in France will lend me the funds and they are requesting for two separate documents to get the money cleared to me.

I will be needing :
- a copy of the registration certificate or Receipts/Invoices
and front and back copy of your driver's license, or ID
Plus documents such as MOT, Road tax disc, insurance certificate, receipt or anything similar showing your name and address same as on the v5
I need the documents for my bank. (they need the requested documents to lend me the cash).

The loan has been approved but bank needs to see what i am paying for because with all this scams in the UK now they are careful when giving loan as most of the times people are loosing the funds shortly after.

P.S : See attached my documents just to prove that i am a genuine buyer and want to purchase.

On arrival of the requested documents i can do 15% by PayPal or Bank transfer at your convenience. I have a farm & garden machinery export firm in Bristol myself but had a few months holiday in France and its easier for us to get a loan for a car here.

Thank you,
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Attached is a scan of the front of a UK driving license and the rear of a UK driving license. Also a scan of a certificate of registration for value added tax for a farm and garden machinery export based in Bristol.

I've not put any names in case it is genuine(Unlikely I know).

Is this simply an attempt to steal my identity?
 
Scam written all over it. Under no circumstances should you ever email any details of your DL or other ID to a complete stranger.
 
Easier to get a loan in France, just need someone's driving license and V5 from the UK to get it. Makes perfect sense. :confused:

What do you need to get a loan in the UK? A Japanese driving license and a Vietnamese MOT for a tricycle?
 
From the initial message it could have been perfectly legit. I have sold one of my old cars to a guy in France who did pay a deposit and did come over 2 days later paying full asking price. However after the reply you got I would now say this one was a scam, it all sounds way too dodgy.
 
I sold my MX-5 to a guy in France but it was cash on collection only and he didn't ask to see my driving licence etc. So I'd say stay clear!
 
*Saw gumtree* ...let out a minor grunt

*Saw 15% paypal deposit* .... stopped reading.

No, nein, non, ney, naa, nada.
 
mccarf said:
If you're in doubt just google it. Oh look the exact same message pops up on a pistonheads thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1438871
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Exactly the same name as well. I tried googling the name but it didn't bring that thread up.

Thanks everyone for confirming what I thought.

Not sure weather I should troll him, he has my name, email address, car registration plate and mobile number. Don't know how much damage he could do with this info. I might just say someone drove into me and wrote the car off.
 
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