Selling a Car - Is this a scam
Selling a Car - Is this a scam
Author
Discussion

Sulli

Original Poster:

584 posts

242 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
I am selling my mum's car for her. Had an email originating in New Zealand. Asking about car and also whether it was EU4 compliant. Replied with detail about car and also that it's a 2005 Audi so probably compliant. He came back and asked if i could send pic of VIN plate which will show the EU4 stamp if it's compliant.

Low and behold, at the bottom of the VIN it does say EU4, so I take a pic of that and only part of the VIN. Before sending that on I asked about buying a car from New Zealand - how does he plan on doing that? He says exchange rates very favourable so cost effective to do so.

So I sent the pic. He is now asking for a clearer pic of the whole VIN so 'he can get his compliance people' to check it.

So, is this a known scam? Any risk in sending the whole of my VIN - I don't plan on doing so but not heard this scam before, so i could be wrong.

Cheers


Liquid Tuna

1,403 posts

179 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
I wouldn't bother to be honest. There's plenty of buyers nearer than New Zealand surely? Unless it's something exotic you're selling??

anonymous-user

77 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
Every time I see a topic named something along the lines of "is this a scam?", I am 99% sure it is, before I even click it.

Even if this turns out to be legit (which it won't), is it really worth the arse ache of dealing with someone in NZ, for the sake of selling a normal car?

Sulli

Original Poster:

584 posts

242 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
Nyphur said:
Every time I see a topic named something along the lines of "is this a scam?", I am 99% sure it is, before I even click it.

Even if this turns out to be legit (which it won't), is it really worth the arse ache of dealing with someone in NZ, for the sake of selling a normal car?
I agree, like I said not planning on sending more, just interested as not heard of it.

carmonk

7,910 posts

210 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
Sulli said:
He is now asking for a clearer pic of the whole VIN so 'he can get his compliance people' to check it.
and again

Sulli said:
He is now asking for a clearer pic of the whole VIN so 'he can get his compliance people' to check it.
and now answer your own question.

Sulli

Original Poster:

584 posts

242 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
carmonk said:
and now answer your own question.
Thanks, but questions are often answered by others - I might learn something.....

McSam

6,753 posts

198 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
There's honestly no reason at all he should want the full VIN to check EU emissions compliancy. For a start, he shouldn't really care about EU4 regs (unless I'm missing something?) and any 2005 Audi seems certain to comply. And he could check immediately and without doubt whether the engine in question is certified to EU4 anyway, whatever the car.

It would be a damn sight harder to verify this by the VIN than any other way I can think of, so.. I guess he has a crashed one.

Steffan

10,362 posts

251 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
Its a Scammy Scam Scammy Scam Scam.

For the avoidance of doubt ITS A SCAM.

Buyers travelling 12,000 miles for an ordinary car?

Protect yourself, it is a scam

Sulli

Original Poster:

584 posts

242 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
McSam said:
.. I guess he has a crashed one.
Bingo - let's see how long I can waste his time....

daemon

38,932 posts

220 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
Sulli said:
McSam said:
.. I guess he has a crashed one.
Bingo - let's see how long I can waste his time....
And your own...

Efbe

9,251 posts

189 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
Scam, though probably little impact to op

Buyer will not buy, is just trying to get vin to complete import documentation so he can use the id on a stolen car. Not heard of it from nz before, but it is quite common.

Don't give vinsmile

zaphod42

58,078 posts

178 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
Scam.

Would you travel around the world for that car?