Is this a scam ... not the usual lame attempt , or genuine

[R60EST]

I usually read the 'is this a scam' threads and think it's blindingly obvious , I can usually spot them a mile off

I was browsing ebay and saw a cheap new shape Berlingo multispace. Not a car I would normally go for but I currently have an 06 Berlingo Van for running the dogs about , carrying tools , deliveries etc and a Lexus LS for a change and a bit of luxury at the weekends.

I thought if it was cheap enough I may sell both and buy the Multispace and save on tax / mot / insurance as it will do all I need.

I put in a low bid on this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

before the auction ended I was offered the chance to buy it for £4500 cash ( my highest bid )

I looked at similar cars and thought at that price it was too good to be true so dismissed it as a scam

After a day or so the auction ended and I was the winning bidder at £4500 , the buyer made contact again asking for £200 deposit by paypal , again I thought it was part of the scam so asked for more details.

I have emailed him over the last 2 days asking him to provide the following

Reg No ,

Chassis Number

Tax Disc serial number

He did this in the form of pictures , all from the outside , the chassis number was a picture of the one in the corner of the windscreen .

I still thought it a bit suspicious , anyone could take these pictures of any car parked in a street

I then asked for a picture of the V5 and a picture of the speedo displaying the current mileage , he'd need to have the keys to show that.

He has since provided the details I've asked for , although the Name and address on the logbook do not match the details held by paypal / ebay for him.

The reg is HW58HDU , the tax has just expired ( even though the ad states 2 months ) and it's not on askmid.

He has provided 2 phone numbers , I can't decide whether to hpi it and try and buy it if it's clear or walk away and trust my initial instinct that it's a scam ,

What do you think ?

Edited by R60EST on Thursday 7th July 18:58

[Defcon5]

How far away is it?

[R60EST]

The seller is in Birmingham , about 70 miles away , the car is registered in London

[Benbay001]

Shouldnt you have done all this before you bid? Or did i mis read?

[R60EST]

I put a low bid in , not expecting to get it . It would have cost me a fortune to HPI every car I've ever bid on , so no , generally speaking you start scrutinising the finer details and paying for HPI checks when you are certain the seller is genuine and willing to sell at the winning bid

[ferraridave]

Not sure whether it's a scam or not, but the carpets should be clean:

http://www.gumtree.com/p/business-services/carpet-...

ETA: the guy also has a room for £50pw if interested: http://www.gumtree.com/p/flats-houses/luxury-nice-...

David

Edited by ferraridave on Thursday 7th July 19:01

[R60EST]

Yes , I've already googled his mobile number and found that , it was another thing that added to my suspicions , his landline does not throw up anything though

The name ebay has for him and the name on the log book are not Reynard either

He is Bolivian according to his driving licence

Edited by R60EST on Thursday 7th July 19:03

[R12HCO]

Benbay001 said:

Shouldnt you have done all this before you bid? Or did i mis read?

Well you would think so wouldnt you, and this is why ebay is getting worse. People regreting it after they have bid, when it cleary states are you sure and makes you confirm it. But, there is no point being wise after the event.

I would send him the money for the listing fee and call it quits. End of the day, you have messed him about even if it is 'dodgy'. Asking for a deposit of £200 is pretty normal practice. He has been pretty resonable about the pictures of the requested stuff (if it was me i wouldnt of done. I thought it was pretty cheeky after winning the item).

[R60EST]

R12HCO said:

Benbay001 said:

Shouldnt you have done all this before you bid? Or did i mis read?

Well you would think so wouldnt you, and this is why ebay is getting worse. People regreting it after they have bid, when it cleary states are you sure and makes you confirm it. But, there is no point being wise after the event.

I would send him the money for the listing fee and call it quits. End of the day, you have messed him about even if it is 'dodgy'. Asking for a deposit of £200 is pretty normal practice. He has been pretty resonable about the pictures of the requested stuff (if it was me i wouldnt of done. I thought it was pretty cheeky after winning the item).

If the car and seller are genuine I will gladly buy it at this price , I'm not paying £200 by paypal though as their buyer protection does not cover deposits . If it is a scam it will be £200 down the drain

Also the car is technically not as described , it's advertised with 2 months tax , when in fact the tax has expired. I also stated in one of my emails prior to the end of auction , I would expect all the documentation to be in order and registered to him at his paypal provided address , which he assured me it was , it now transpires it isn't

Edited by R60EST on Thursday 7th July 19:08

[jj333]

Birmingham? Starts alarm bells straight away - AVOID

It'll have been clocked or worse I imagine

[redstu]

The reason the tax has expired is probably due to timewasters bidding then not buying, so it's been reliated a few times.

[greggy50]

Which part of birmingham is it in?
I live nearby and could possibly have a quick look at it for you as long as it's not in one of the really bad area's like the Lazells/Handsworth lol

[R60EST]

B67 6EP

Thanks for the offer.

To all who are suggesting I'm wasting this guy's time I'd be interested in what replies I'd have got if I had paid for it and been scammed , let me guess , you'd all tell me it was obviously a scam and I should have done more checks before parting with any cash

[Lanby]

It's only 70 miles, why not take cash over with the intention of buying it and if somethings not as described walk away?

[R60EST]

Lanby said:

It's only 70 miles, why not drive over with the intention of buying it and if somethings not as described walk away?

I'm thinking of going tomorrow. If it comes back as HPI clear and I buy it will I still be covered by their indemnity scheme if the V5 is not in the keepers name / address

[jj333]

Foreign? Check
Birmingham? Check
Too cheap? Check
Really low mileage? Check
Low feedback? Check
Logbook doesn't match sellers name? Check

Go for it!

Possibly a trader too, he sold a focus 4 days ago

[R60EST]

jj333 said:

Foreign? Check
Birmingham? Check
Too cheap? Check
Really low mileage? Check
Low feedback? Check
Logbook doesn't match sellers name? Check

Go for it!

Possibly a trader too, he sold a focus 4 days ago

Exactly , not the best checklist for inspiring confidence is it

[PurpleMoonlight]

R60EST said:

I'm thinking of going tomorrow. If it comes back as HPI clear and I buy it will I still be covered by their indemnity scheme if the V5 is not in the keepers name / address

If the V5 is not in the name of the person privately selling the car I would walk. I appreciate that the V5 is the registered keeper who is not necessarily the legal owner, but it's just not worth the risk in my book.

[R60EST]

This is what his first ever message sent was , that originally made me suspicious

Hi there! You are bidding on my CITROEN BERLINGO and I have an emergency to go back to my country. If you have £4500 cash, you can pick up the car today, and I can fly tonight or tomorrow morning. Let me know your decision, please. If not, good luck in the auction. Call on 07832809157.
REGARDS

[jj333]

R60EST said:

I have an emergency to go back to my country

I would imagine it would pan out like this:

You go around to view and you meet him at his empty house "because he's moving overseas"
You pay cash and everything seems legit
You later find out it's clocked/stolen/cloned etc
There's no trace of him as the house was rented in cash and he used a PAYG sim, false details etc