Fraud Scam

[Bobbyweaf]

This topic may have been covered before but it appears that frauds are being perpetrated over non-existent spare parts and in several car clubs.

The fraudster replies to adverts seeking car parts and may even supply the unsuspecting purchaser with details and even a photo etc. Most of us are fairly trusting and if everything kosher and done through a bank etc. things are usually OK but there are scammers, especially where money transfers by payments other than directly through a bank.

It is well worth checking out the following link • View topic - rob/robin butler

It shows the story of a scammer who has been working through car clubs for several years. He was apparently arrested in February of this year and along with his girlfriend has pleaded guilty. HOWEVER, even after this he has continued with his scam!

I accept that sellers will not send you anything without payment in full, I wouldn't. But the advice is never to buy without seeing it yourself or if it is a long way off, get a fellow club member to visit the seller. I am not talking about EBAY etc. but where the scammer makes direct contact.

There seems to more than one person pulling the scam - be warned! The one on the link is in court today 29th July but seems to have continued the scam right up to his court appearance. No doubt he will TIC all the others and get a slapped wrist.

I now await the unsympathetic replies saying just how stupid the purchasers were, no doubt there will be some but we are all trusting to a degree especially where payment through banks are involved and thus it all looks good.