Is this a scam?

[leemarkadams]

Hello all, I have a car for sale on PH and received a call last night ref the cr, asking about the BHP and a few other questions, anyway I then recieved the following email:

Hi,we spoke this morning...........well,I am working on behalf of my italian client,and to do so I will need first from you a copy of V5/front and back)and a current MOT,to avoid misunderstanding please hide the vin number so I wont be able to replicate anything,I must make clear to mine custemer the your car can be register on Italy.that's why I need to take a look to your document....once I have done that we can move forward and buy the car.thank you for your help,best regards.

Does this seem like a scam?

Thanks

Lee

[Chicane-UK]

Yes. Avoid like the plague.

[OwenK]

Looks a bit more sensibly worded than most scams, and I'm sure there must be plenty of genuine foreign car buyers - BUT ask yourself, is it worth that risk of losing both the car AND the money? Just for the sake of a sale right now, when another is probably right around the corner?

[Rollcage]

If it walks like a duck, etc..........

Not heard of one where you actually get to speak to someone though .

[eldar]

Honest, we won't clone your car....

[weezb]

No not at all, tell him that your are actually a General in the British Army but due to ridiculous tax laws you are leaving the country, hence the car sale. However, you have 5 million British pounds to move but require £10,000 for legal fees before you can proceed with the transaction, now if he was to provide this £10,000 you would be eternally grateful and halve your funds with him once the transaction is complete...I suggest the redoubtable Western Union for him to provide your funds...

Edited by weezb on Sunday 3rd October 00:05

[Paul Drawmer]

If you submit the current MOT number to the DVLA you can get (for free) a copy of all the previous tests that have been done since computerisation. That will also show the VIN number.

It's interesting, since it also shows all the advisories; which on one car I looked at, showed the same one for three years!

Anyway, for Mr scammer, if you let him have the reg number and the current MOT serial, he doesn't need the VIN, DVLA will give it to him.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...

Edited by Paul Drawmer on Saturday 2nd October 22:53

[rottie102]

Paul Drawmer said:

If you submit the current MOT number to the DVLA you can get (for free) a copy of all the previous tests that have been done since computerisation. That will also show the VIN number.

It's interesting, since it also shows all the advisories; which on one car I looked at, showed the same one for three years!

Anyway, for Mr scammer, if you let him have the reg number and the current MOT serial, he doesn't need the VIN, DVLA will give it to him.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...

Edited by Paul Drawmer on Saturday 2nd October 22:53

You do know that on many cars VIN numbers are clearly displayed under the windscreen and you can get them on any street??

[R1 Loon]

rottie102 said:

You do know that on many cars VIN numbers are clearly displayed under the windscreen and you can get them on any street??

Don't spoil it.

Next you'll be telling people that registration numbers are clearly visible on the front & rear of the car.

Or that cheques actually have your bank account & sort code on them;)

Not sure I see the scam here though, other than him possibly cloning your car. I can't see that he'll take your car and not pay you just because he has your VIN no. & MOT.

Edited by R1 Loon on Saturday 2nd October 23:38

[Plotloss]

One of my clients had a similar request.

Complied and the chap met him at a bank to transfer cash there and then.

For his F430.

So not always a scam.

[Blown2CV]

if you have to ask...

[Mr Will]

Blown2CV said:

if you have to ask...

Pretty much, but it you want to know more then please see the advice I posted on this thread: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[leemarkadams]

Well, only had 2 x Italians come and look at the car in person, and they were both very genuine. They have not bought the car yet, and may not do, but at least they turned up. Just goes to show you really can never tell.

Oh, and it they do buy the car it will be off to Italy....

Still, wifey sent them off back to London with some sandwiches, and told me off for being so distrustful!

Lee

[Silent1]

leemarkadams said:

Well, only had 2 x Italians come and look at the car in person, and they were both very genuine. They have not bought the car yet, and may not do, but at least they turned up. Just goes to show you really can never tell.

Oh, and it they do buy the car it will be off to Italy....

Still, wifey sent them off back to London with some sandwiches, and told me off for being so distrustful!

Lee

Do not accept anything but cash
Anything else can be reversed.

[leemarkadams]

Thanks for all the advice but they did not get back to me regarding the car anyway, so keeping it now and will get it ready for next year's track days!

Lee