My uncle has been scammed- what happens next?

[HustleRussell]

Typing on iPhone so will keep it brief. Grammar police need not apply.
My uncle buys a Ford Focus with 15 months warranty remaining for £X,X00 (approx half what it's worth). "can't miss out on this, it's a bargain". HPI check comes back normal.
Seller explains it doesn't have a spare key as his wife lost it.
Transaction is normal, not sure how he paid for it yet.
Fast forward a few days, uncle is polishing his P&J on his driveway and a truck rolls up and two of your classic 'heavies' get out: "is this your car" "yes". They get back in the truck and drive off.
Details are sketchy as I haven't spoken to uncle yet, working off 3rd hand info. Not sure whether it had a green or red V5C, not sure how he paid or if it was a private seller etc.
I'm fully expecting the car will go missing soon, of course the police aren't at all interested until it does.
What comeback will my uncle have when the above happens?
...And yes, too good to be true, probably is etc etc.

[LukeSi]

Has he got a garage he can lock it in? Or can he keep it somewhere else for a few days?

[TheTurbonator]

I'd be keeping a very close eye on it if I were him. Might be worth storing it at a family or friends house for a few days.

Also the fact there's a spare key missing it might be worth getting the locks changed. An expensive job but cheaper than losing a car.

[davemac250]

Move it.

Get a new HPi check done.

Check for log-book loans.

Did the police inspect the car?

[Himself]

So ignoring the conspiracy theories for a moment, you're asking what will happen if your Uncles car is stolen?

[joebongo]

My guess FWIW is the seller was in deep financial st and was liquidating his assets asap before the bailiffs came round. He told the bailiffs who/where he sold the car to and they've come round to verify.

[Ozzie Osmond]

HustleRussell said:

My uncle buys a Ford Focus with 15 months warranty remaining for £X,X00 (approx half what it's worth). "can't miss out on this, it's a bargain".

There's one born every day...

If he's paid someone for a car which that person didn't own then he cannot own the car. Hiding the car won't do him any good because his name and address will be recorded on the V5.

Also , if anything criminal has been going on he could be in trouble himself, in the same way as people who bought "very cheap stuff" from London rioters in 2011.

The clear HPI check is encouraging though.

[Shotgun Rider]

Himself said:

So ignoring the conspiracy theories for a moment, you're asking what will happen if your Uncles car is stolen?

or if it's financed?

[Ozzie Osmond]

joebongo said:

My guess FWIW is the seller was in deep financial st and was liquidating his assets asap before the bailiffs came round. He told the bailiffs who/where he sold the car to and they've come round to verify.

^^^^ That's my guess too.

[andy43]

davemac250 said:

Get a new HPi check done.

Check for log-book loans.

Did the police inspect the car?

Those. I'd be going for the best HPI check I could get as well - there's one with insurance I think?

[soad]

Yes, seller owns a load of dosh to someone - that's my guess.

[Dan_1981]

Log book loans don't show up on HPI checks do they?

[HustleRussell]

Himself said:

So ignoring the conspiracy theories for a moment, you're asking what will happen if your Uncles car is stolen?

Pretty much. What financial and legal comeback might he have and what can he do in the meantime WRT checks etc.
My thoughts were the HPI would identify outstanding finance?
I don't agree with the 'hide/block in the car' suggestions because as it is they can drive the car away, with the key, without breaking into the family home and endangering the family.

[rallycross]

£85 for a good quality steering lock.

If he puts one of these on it and always parks it with full lock on so they cant push it onto a trailer nor drive it away.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

[tim2100]

How has he been scammed?

[snuffle]

At a guess, I'd say he bought a car from someone that was not legally entitled to sell it.

As for the OP, sorry not a clue as to the uncles legal position in all this, but hope it works out ok.

[davepoth]

HPI clear? paid half the book value? Get it PXed for more than he bought it for, pronto.

[SMcP114]

How has he been scammed?

If the car was stolen, it would be recorded, and no HPI check (even the text check) would come back clear. The only thing to look out for is that he's bought the car from someone he shouldn't have.

[Steffan]

davemac250 said:

Move it.

Get a new HPi check done.

Check for log-book loans.

Did the police inspect the car?

How could he check for logbook loans. please? AFIK there is no public record.

I would certainly move the car under lock and key.

[Spudler]

davepoth said:

Get it PXed for more than he bought it for, pronto.

This^^^^ before he gets a letter telling him its not legally his. Once he gets that he's well and truly buggered.