Motorhome "stolen" it seems...
Discussion
Trying to be succinct -
I was approached and convinced to sell my motorhome two weeks ago.
I was by myself (at my friend's gated apartment where the m/h was).
There turned out to be four giant men, they got out of their big red Toyota at
intervals, after I had started talking tot he first one.
It was SORNed, and I was debating it's future, due to lack of use. Maybe some repairs needed,
but had driven nicely a month ago for moving from nasty storage yard. Needed MOT though.
They said they were scouting around to buy older motorhomes to take back to
Ireland for refugee accommodation.
Beat me down on price after already transferring half what was agreed (due to damp in over-cab area).
despite saying a lorry would take it, they drove away on trade plates, didn't give me my section of the V5.
Three hours later, range me to tell me it had blown up and was useless and to give the money
back, and a scrap man was going to take it away locally (about 15 miles away - apparently), and I should
immediately give them the money back - even though I had given a receipt that stated "Sold as Seen".
Despite the Bank telling me not to, after initially blocking the transfer, I repaid money (to a different account),
apart from a small amount of cash (can't think why I didn't...)
I realised fairly quickly it was all fishy - and next day tried to talk to Police on 101 - but was told that it
was my own fault, a Civil matter and that maybe I was trying to pull a fast one on them!
The next week, I spoke to DVLA - and was to send a letter with info, as much as knew. also cancelled insurance
cover, and got Legal Advice from RAC, who weren't sure of there was a case to pursue.
Fast forward to yesterday (in between, I have been sort of in tough with one of the men -
who told me it had gone to Ireland and broken into parts - text message exchange) and I just
thought of looking at the MOT history - only to find out that a new MOT was put on 21/6 and
VED paid until December.
The Log Book used for taxing was the one issued to me in 2018, according to the DVLA info.
Is there (without log book reference - and no I didn't keep a copy) any way to find out where the
MOT was done?
I am assuming that it never went to Ireland (which anyway would have been exporting).. and have
now reported to the Police, who have taken it seriously this time. It was my vehicle again once they
had their money transferred back, and if not given back to me (or made possible by being in a yard
I could access), it is now technically a stolen vehicle (always was, really....) and it is in whatever database
the Police use to track them down.
BUT - I am now very afraid of what might happen if these Irish giants are tracked down, caught whatever....
I have not yet told them I know about the MOT etc and what that means, and the Legal Advice I got was to
write (hahah - like they gave me an address) and send a Letter Before Action.
I am very unsure now what to do , and would like to know if they somehow got rid of it and it is in the hands
of someone else, but there seems to be no easy way - especially without information from the log book that
I stupidly just handed over!
Any thoughts or advice (yes, I know I am stupid!) would be welcome.
[More clarification/detail is available....]
I was approached and convinced to sell my motorhome two weeks ago.
I was by myself (at my friend's gated apartment where the m/h was).
There turned out to be four giant men, they got out of their big red Toyota at
intervals, after I had started talking tot he first one.
It was SORNed, and I was debating it's future, due to lack of use. Maybe some repairs needed,
but had driven nicely a month ago for moving from nasty storage yard. Needed MOT though.
They said they were scouting around to buy older motorhomes to take back to
Ireland for refugee accommodation.
Beat me down on price after already transferring half what was agreed (due to damp in over-cab area).
despite saying a lorry would take it, they drove away on trade plates, didn't give me my section of the V5.
Three hours later, range me to tell me it had blown up and was useless and to give the money
back, and a scrap man was going to take it away locally (about 15 miles away - apparently), and I should
immediately give them the money back - even though I had given a receipt that stated "Sold as Seen".
Despite the Bank telling me not to, after initially blocking the transfer, I repaid money (to a different account),
apart from a small amount of cash (can't think why I didn't...)
I realised fairly quickly it was all fishy - and next day tried to talk to Police on 101 - but was told that it
was my own fault, a Civil matter and that maybe I was trying to pull a fast one on them!
The next week, I spoke to DVLA - and was to send a letter with info, as much as knew. also cancelled insurance
cover, and got Legal Advice from RAC, who weren't sure of there was a case to pursue.
Fast forward to yesterday (in between, I have been sort of in tough with one of the men -
who told me it had gone to Ireland and broken into parts - text message exchange) and I just
thought of looking at the MOT history - only to find out that a new MOT was put on 21/6 and
VED paid until December.
The Log Book used for taxing was the one issued to me in 2018, according to the DVLA info.
Is there (without log book reference - and no I didn't keep a copy) any way to find out where the
MOT was done?
I am assuming that it never went to Ireland (which anyway would have been exporting).. and have
now reported to the Police, who have taken it seriously this time. It was my vehicle again once they
had their money transferred back, and if not given back to me (or made possible by being in a yard
I could access), it is now technically a stolen vehicle (always was, really....) and it is in whatever database
the Police use to track them down.
BUT - I am now very afraid of what might happen if these Irish giants are tracked down, caught whatever....
I have not yet told them I know about the MOT etc and what that means, and the Legal Advice I got was to
write (hahah - like they gave me an address) and send a Letter Before Action.
I am very unsure now what to do , and would like to know if they somehow got rid of it and it is in the hands
of someone else, but there seems to be no easy way - especially without information from the log book that
I stupidly just handed over!
Any thoughts or advice (yes, I know I am stupid!) would be welcome.
[More clarification/detail is available....]
DumbBlonde said:
Trying to be succinct -
I was approached and convinced to sell my motorhome two weeks ago.
I was by myself (at my friend's gated apartment where the m/h was).
There turned out to be four giant men, they got out of their big red Toyota at
intervals, after I had started talking tot he first one.
It was SORNed, and I was debating it's future, due to lack of use. Maybe some repairs needed,
but had driven nicely a month ago for moving from nasty storage yard. Needed MOT though.
They said they were scouting around to buy older motorhomes to take back to
Ireland for refugee accommodation.
Beat me down on price after already transferring half what was agreed (due to damp in over-cab area).
despite saying a lorry would take it, they drove away on trade plates, didn't give me my section of the V5.
Three hours later, range me to tell me it had blown up and was useless and to give the money
back, and a scrap man was going to take it away locally (about 15 miles away - apparently), and I should
immediately give them the money back - even though I had given a receipt that stated "Sold as Seen".
Despite the Bank telling me not to, after initially blocking the transfer, I repaid money (to a different account),
apart from a small amount of cash (can't think why I didn't...)
I realised fairly quickly it was all fishy - and next day tried to talk to Police on 101 - but was told that it
was my own fault, a Civil matter and that maybe I was trying to pull a fast one on them!
The next week, I spoke to DVLA - and was to send a letter with info, as much as knew. also cancelled insurance
cover, and got Legal Advice from RAC, who weren't sure of there was a case to pursue.
Fast forward to yesterday (in between, I have been sort of in tough with one of the men -
who told me it had gone to Ireland and broken into parts - text message exchange) and I just
thought of looking at the MOT history - only to find out that a new MOT was put on 21/6 and
VED paid until December.
The Log Book used for taxing was the one issued to me in 2018, according to the DVLA info.
Is there (without log book reference - and no I didn't keep a copy) any way to find out where the
MOT was done?
I am assuming that it never went to Ireland (which anyway would have been exporting).. and have
now reported to the Police, who have taken it seriously this time. It was my vehicle again once they
had their money transferred back, and if not given back to me (or made possible by being in a yard
I could access), it is now technically a stolen vehicle (always was, really....) and it is in whatever database
the Police use to track them down.
BUT - I am now very afraid of what might happen if these Irish giants are tracked down, caught whatever....
I have not yet told them I know about the MOT etc and what that means, and the Legal Advice I got was to
write (hahah - like they gave me an address) and send a Letter Before Action.
I am very unsure now what to do , and would like to know if they somehow got rid of it and it is in the hands
of someone else, but there seems to be no easy way - especially without information from the log book that
I stupidly just handed over!
Any thoughts or advice (yes, I know I am stupid!) would be welcome.
[More clarification/detail is available....]
I'm very sorry but username checks out.I was approached and convinced to sell my motorhome two weeks ago.
I was by myself (at my friend's gated apartment where the m/h was).
There turned out to be four giant men, they got out of their big red Toyota at
intervals, after I had started talking tot he first one.
It was SORNed, and I was debating it's future, due to lack of use. Maybe some repairs needed,
but had driven nicely a month ago for moving from nasty storage yard. Needed MOT though.
They said they were scouting around to buy older motorhomes to take back to
Ireland for refugee accommodation.
Beat me down on price after already transferring half what was agreed (due to damp in over-cab area).
despite saying a lorry would take it, they drove away on trade plates, didn't give me my section of the V5.
Three hours later, range me to tell me it had blown up and was useless and to give the money
back, and a scrap man was going to take it away locally (about 15 miles away - apparently), and I should
immediately give them the money back - even though I had given a receipt that stated "Sold as Seen".
Despite the Bank telling me not to, after initially blocking the transfer, I repaid money (to a different account),
apart from a small amount of cash (can't think why I didn't...)
I realised fairly quickly it was all fishy - and next day tried to talk to Police on 101 - but was told that it
was my own fault, a Civil matter and that maybe I was trying to pull a fast one on them!
The next week, I spoke to DVLA - and was to send a letter with info, as much as knew. also cancelled insurance
cover, and got Legal Advice from RAC, who weren't sure of there was a case to pursue.
Fast forward to yesterday (in between, I have been sort of in tough with one of the men -
who told me it had gone to Ireland and broken into parts - text message exchange) and I just
thought of looking at the MOT history - only to find out that a new MOT was put on 21/6 and
VED paid until December.
The Log Book used for taxing was the one issued to me in 2018, according to the DVLA info.
Is there (without log book reference - and no I didn't keep a copy) any way to find out where the
MOT was done?
I am assuming that it never went to Ireland (which anyway would have been exporting).. and have
now reported to the Police, who have taken it seriously this time. It was my vehicle again once they
had their money transferred back, and if not given back to me (or made possible by being in a yard
I could access), it is now technically a stolen vehicle (always was, really....) and it is in whatever database
the Police use to track them down.
BUT - I am now very afraid of what might happen if these Irish giants are tracked down, caught whatever....
I have not yet told them I know about the MOT etc and what that means, and the Legal Advice I got was to
write (hahah - like they gave me an address) and send a Letter Before Action.
I am very unsure now what to do , and would like to know if they somehow got rid of it and it is in the hands
of someone else, but there seems to be no easy way - especially without information from the log book that
I stupidly just handed over!
Any thoughts or advice (yes, I know I am stupid!) would be welcome.
[More clarification/detail is available....]
Unfortunately I doubt there is anything you can do. Just because they said it was in bits and since MOT'd will make no difference.
Edited by worsy on Wednesday 5th July 13:15
chrisch77 said:
Sorry OP but I don't think you are going to get much helpful advice on here. You've pretty much crashed through every warning sign from the start of this sorry tale..... assuming it actually happened.
Agreed - and I know how stupid I was.... But limited experience of selling vehicles at all, let alone motorhomes.And it did unfortunately happen - I wouldn't be posting otherwise.
t is exactly why victims of scams and fraud don't report it.BrettMRC said:
What have the police said?
Was it still insured?
Once they had the money back, the motorhome was mine again, and it is considered theft.Was it still insured?
It is in whatever system or database they have as a stolen vehicle now.
(They "had" to be given the chance to return it to me, or make available for me to pick up as I requested...).
Instead I was told that it was in pieces having been shipped to Ireland on a lorry
(seriously - why would anyone bother to do that?)
I cancelled the Insurance on 21/6, this happened on16/6.... I told them what had happened, which
was why I was cancelling - I didn't thin I would be able to claim , given what the Police had said at that time.
Given it was insured at the time this happened, I'd be trying to see if you could get some legal advice (if it was included in the cover) as per the poster aboves suggestion.
You are probably on a hiding to nothing, but try every avenue and share as much evidence to the police as you can - it may save someone else in the future.
You are probably on a hiding to nothing, but try every avenue and share as much evidence to the police as you can - it may save someone else in the future.
BrettMRC said:
Given it was insured at the time this happened, I'd be trying to see if you could get some legal advice (if it was included in the cover) as per the poster aboves suggestion.
You are probably on a hiding to nothing, but try every avenue and share as much evidence to the police as you can - it may save someone else in the future.
Thank you. You're nice You are probably on a hiding to nothing, but try every avenue and share as much evidence to the police as you can - it may save someone else in the future.
The Brummie said:
Silly question I know however….
Before you repaid the money did you recover the m/h, or go see it, or did you just assume it was broken down somewhere?
You can probably guess the answer....Before you repaid the money did you recover the m/h, or go see it, or did you just assume it was broken down somewhere?
He made it sound so dramatic and I was concerned about the location (A1), the heat, and the kid he had with him....
Also of incurring the wrath of these four giants, who knew where I lived.
Four Litre said:
OP you have basically given it away. Every warning sign ignored and even bank advise ignored. Did this really happen a I cant believe this is true.
On a separate note I have a great investment opportunity for you.......
Unfortunately it did actually happen*; and I thought it was bad enough that they talked me down on price!On a separate note I have a great investment opportunity for you.......
I am somewhat wiser now - so it's a definite No to your investment opportunity.
- Why would anyone make it up, just to be ridiculed?
Four Litre said:
OP you have basically given it away. Every warning sign ignored and even bank advise ignored. Did this really happen a I cant believe this is true.
On a separate note I have a great investment opportunity for you.......
I know a chap who met a woman and long story short he allowed her to dump money into his account and then pay it to another account.On a separate note I have a great investment opportunity for you.......
He had police fraud squad visit!
He has a fraud marker put on his bank he current loan with one building society cancelled and no end of issues with a credit file as this turned out to be money laundering scam. Took years to sort!
So the worst may not have happened yet now you have paid funds to unknown account.
DumbBlonde said:
BrettMRC said:
What have the police said?
Was it still insured?
Once they had the money back, the motorhome was mine again, and it is considered theft.Was it still insured?
I would be willing to place a substantial bet on you having been the (latest one of many many) victims of a bunch of Irish Travellers. You know, that poor downtrodden ethnic minority who we must all feel sorry for and who are in all reality just a friendly group of very misunderstood rascals who do nobody any harm.
On the back of that, if I'm correct, your chances of recovering your MH are slim to zero, and probably less. You could try tracking traveller incursions via social media, or static traveller sites near you, and going to take a look, because that's where it will be, but you'll be needing 4 or more hefty mates with you if you try to take it back. I can guarantee the police won't get involved, even if you accompany them to the site and point at it and say "that's mine". You only need to Google to validate that statement.
I'm no insurance expert but I'd imagine that the fact that you cancelled the policy gives the insurance company an instant get-out from covering any aspect of this, notwithstanding that it's been reported/recorded as stolen now and that was before you cancelled. They'll say you have no policy/agreement with them now so why would they pay out?
Crap situation to be in but you're going to have to chalk this one down to (in)experience. I hope it wasn't too valuable.
Oh and just one other thing - I doubt it was ever damp in the cab-over bed, unless you knew about that before. They'll have chucked water in there when you weren't looking.
Sorry that's not at all a positive response.
On the back of that, if I'm correct, your chances of recovering your MH are slim to zero, and probably less. You could try tracking traveller incursions via social media, or static traveller sites near you, and going to take a look, because that's where it will be, but you'll be needing 4 or more hefty mates with you if you try to take it back. I can guarantee the police won't get involved, even if you accompany them to the site and point at it and say "that's mine". You only need to Google to validate that statement.
I'm no insurance expert but I'd imagine that the fact that you cancelled the policy gives the insurance company an instant get-out from covering any aspect of this, notwithstanding that it's been reported/recorded as stolen now and that was before you cancelled. They'll say you have no policy/agreement with them now so why would they pay out?
Crap situation to be in but you're going to have to chalk this one down to (in)experience. I hope it wasn't too valuable.
Oh and just one other thing - I doubt it was ever damp in the cab-over bed, unless you knew about that before. They'll have chucked water in there when you weren't looking.
Sorry that's not at all a positive response.
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