Strange one, is this a scam?

[Muncher]

A girl I was talking to at uni listed her car for sale on Autotrader about 6 weeks ago.

An e-mail is recieved enquiring about the car, and a cheque turns up out of the blue for £6,500. The cheque is in the name of a strange sounding company, not a car trader or anything. She then banks the cheque.

That was over a month ago, the money is still there, no one came to collect or even view the car prior to "purchase". She has no name or contact address for the person who sent the money.

The car's insurance is up for renewal in a couple of weeks, she has the money for the car, but no one has taken it.

It seems very strange, what's the best course of action? Possibly a check with companies house to get an address?

[swilly]

Possibly a new-starter on the Nigerian cheque-scam who didnt quite get the gist of how its done.

[leosayer]

Some form of money laundering?? I'd be nervous if I was her.

[Davel]

Maybe time to check with the BiB, to protect herself?

[matthewbinns]

I think she will be getting a visit quite soon from someone requesting their (now clean) cash.

[Muncher]

leosayer said:

Some form of money laundering?? I'd be nervous if I was her.

Why launder money and not take the car, surely you'd want to take the car, rather than just give it away.

The company name sounded like a bit of a joke...

[simpo two]

Sit it out and see what happens.

Bizarre!

[simpo two]

Muncher said:

Why launder money and not take the car, surely you'd want to take the car, rather than just give it away.

Becasue IF they come round with baseball bats demanding their money back - it will have been laundered. Nothing to do with the car. Let's hope they forget.

[simpo two]

Muncher said:

Why launder money and not take the car, surely you'd want to take the car, rather than just give it away.

Becasue IF they come round with baseball bats demanding their money back - it will have been laundered. Nothing to do with the car. Let's hope they forget.

[ntel]

Where did they get her address from in order to send her the cheque?

[PetrolTed]

She must contact the police. This is 99% likely to be a money laundering scam or a fraud of another kind.

I've spoken to the police about these types of scams only recently.

[john_p]

I'd inform the bank immediately. I'm sure she doesn't want the police coming around asking why she banked a cheque from xyz Ltd, if xyz Ltd are being investigated for any illegal activities .. might come back and bite her very badly.

[apache]

But how can the scammers be sure she won't have spent it?

[Muncher]

She's also a law student, so convictions wouldn't go down too well with potential employers

[Davel]

BiB is still the best thing.

You never know who may call round and it's unlikely anyone will send you £6,500 and forget it.

Unless it's a new Irish scam where they fraud themselves!

[ntel]

Or maybe its just a kind relative who doesnt want her to sell the car............ NOT......... Call the BIB.

[Muncher]

I've told her, but she's pretty scared now, I think I may take her to a police station tomorrow.

[IOLAIRE]

Muncher said:

I've told her, but she's pretty scared now, I think I may take her to a police station tomorrow.

Paul,
get in your car right now with your girl friend and go round to the police.
I've had this tried on me several times through e-bay from headcases in Italy and Africa.
These can be seriously heavy people, go now!

[apache]

Muncher said:

I've told her, but she's pretty scared now, I think I may take her to a police station tomorrow.

are you still here?!

[Muncher]

apache said:

Muncher said: I've told her, but she's pretty scared now, I think I may take her to a police station tomorrow. are you still here?!

She just texted me, she is there now.

"The constable doesn't think there has been any offences, he's being pretty dumb but will check with CID"