Discussion
First and foremost, I'd like to think I can see a scam from a mile off and I've received the usual 'I'm an oceanographer stuck at sea, but really love your car' emails before. This feels a little different and even giving it a quick Google hasn't returned anything.
So one of my cars is currently for sale. It's on various forums and up on the PH classifieds. Not in a rush to sell and it's a fairly specialist car so it might take a while to shift.
Yesterday I received a flurry of missed calls from a number I didn't recognise. We're talking once it had gone through to voice mail within 5 seconds hitting redial and this occurred 5 times! I thought nothing of it didn't return the call and figured if it was that urgent they'd leave a message (didn't know it was car related at this point!)
So today on my drive home the phone rings, I answer having not seen the number and I'm greeted by a man with an Indian accent stating he's seen the car on Pistonheads is interested and would like to know some more details.
He then goes onto say he works/runs a Japanese car importing business and is trying to source a car for his client.
Doesn't specify where the client is, but this chap certainly isn't from the UK.
Alarm bells had started to ring so I carried on the conversation he asked about the car history, what the bodywork was like etc etc. Then checked to confirm the price, and proceeded to state if on inspecting the car and all was satisfactory would I except X amount (it was within £200 of the asking price so nothing outrageous there!)
The phone call was wound up with him wanting me to ensure I don't sell the car and 'reserve' it, and that someone will be coming round within the next 24/48 hours to inspect it. He didn't ask for any of my details, nor has anything been discussed, so quite how anyone will be able to view it is another matter!
It just feels a little suspect, has anyone had anything similar?
Obviously I'm aware of the usuals, and any hint of wanting my bank details or to do anything funny and he'd be swiftly told where to go!
Oh and any help/ideas where in the world I was contacted from? I've got the number used here. I suspect by the mans accent, India/Pakistan? (google returns nothing) 081345888747
So one of my cars is currently for sale. It's on various forums and up on the PH classifieds. Not in a rush to sell and it's a fairly specialist car so it might take a while to shift.
Yesterday I received a flurry of missed calls from a number I didn't recognise. We're talking once it had gone through to voice mail within 5 seconds hitting redial and this occurred 5 times! I thought nothing of it didn't return the call and figured if it was that urgent they'd leave a message (didn't know it was car related at this point!)
So today on my drive home the phone rings, I answer having not seen the number and I'm greeted by a man with an Indian accent stating he's seen the car on Pistonheads is interested and would like to know some more details.
He then goes onto say he works/runs a Japanese car importing business and is trying to source a car for his client.
Doesn't specify where the client is, but this chap certainly isn't from the UK.
Alarm bells had started to ring so I carried on the conversation he asked about the car history, what the bodywork was like etc etc. Then checked to confirm the price, and proceeded to state if on inspecting the car and all was satisfactory would I except X amount (it was within £200 of the asking price so nothing outrageous there!)
The phone call was wound up with him wanting me to ensure I don't sell the car and 'reserve' it, and that someone will be coming round within the next 24/48 hours to inspect it. He didn't ask for any of my details, nor has anything been discussed, so quite how anyone will be able to view it is another matter!
It just feels a little suspect, has anyone had anything similar?
Obviously I'm aware of the usuals, and any hint of wanting my bank details or to do anything funny and he'd be swiftly told where to go!
Oh and any help/ideas where in the world I was contacted from? I've got the number used here. I suspect by the mans accent, India/Pakistan? (google returns nothing) 081345888747
81 is the code for Japan
and, on that basis, the story is plausible : http://www.vehiclessolution.com/web/contactus.php
and, on that basis, the story is plausible : http://www.vehiclessolution.com/web/contactus.php
Edited by marshalla on Thursday 22 November 23:00
P Nuts said:
sunds bit dodgy but unless he wants bank details etc cant see how he will gain anything from it? unless its one of those premium numbers that charge you for receiving, did he at any point actually mention the make/model of the car?
Yes this is what I thought. I was expecting the bank type stuff, but all the questions asked where specifically about the car and the model was referred to. If it was such a number I would have thought it'd be plastered over the web. marshalla said:
81 is the code for Japan
Is it? Hmm slightly more credible, oddly it didn't show up as plus +81 or do mobiles not do that these days? It's been quite a while since I've had an international call that hasn't come up as unlisted!GuyWMD said:
P Nuts said:
sunds bit dodgy but unless he wants bank details etc cant see how he will gain anything from it? unless its one of those premium numbers that charge you for receiving, did he at any point actually mention the make/model of the car?
Yes this is what I thought. I was expecting the bank type stuff, but all the questions asked where specifically about the car and the model was referred to. If it was such a number I would have thought it'd be plastered over the web. marshalla said:
81 is the code for Japan
Is it? Hmm slightly more credible, oddly it didn't show up as plus +81 or do mobiles not do that these days? It's been quite a while since I've had an international call that hasn't come up as unlisted!Disco You said:
If he turns up with the cash in hand in return for the car, then what's the problem?
if he tries to do anything out of the ordinary, then tell him to do one.
+1 this.if he tries to do anything out of the ordinary, then tell him to do one.
If someone turns up, looks over it, gives you money to buy it, jobs a good'un.
So long as there is no mucking about with cheques that are for more than you ask and cash back their way or any of that nonsense, i don't see what the problem is.
Oh I will do if they make contact again, just seemed rather strange. Especially mentioning how they'd like someone to come and view the car yet didn't ask or take address details. Maybe said person will contact me directly.
No problem, just a little odd, or at least I've not come across this before and I've sold a few cars over the years.
If someone comes to view it and has cash to purchase then awesome and it's not being held until a deposit is taken in person. I'm aware of the 'usual' cons.
No problem, just a little odd, or at least I've not come across this before and I've sold a few cars over the years.
If someone comes to view it and has cash to purchase then awesome and it's not being held until a deposit is taken in person. I'm aware of the 'usual' cons.
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