Think im being scammed for identity fraud

[rigga]

Got a bike listed on here for sale,had a email via pistonheads asking about it and ill reproduce it in full below....... think its a little suspect?

---

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/422531.htm

Hello,
I'm very interested in your KTM that you have for sale on PistonHeads.
I have to tell you that I'm currently out of country with some major business problems so I can come for collection only in about 2 weeks.
That's why I want to make a deposit of £900 to reserve the bike.
From my experience I know that certain listings are associated with fraudulent activity, as a precaution please send copies of the following:
- government-issued photo identification (passport or driving licence)
- evidence of address (bank statement or utility bill).
- Proof that the item listed is in your possession (Receipt, bill of sale)
As soon as I will receive these documents, I will send you the deposit using MoneyGram or Paypal.
Send me also your phone#.

Cheers!
Mark,

• ********

Theft & Fraud Warnings
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/warnings.asp

• ********
  

  ---

What do you lot reckon?

[odyssey2200]

SCAM!!!

[Graham]

have you alerted the moderators or in website feedback?

G

[Beemer-5]

Tell him he can see the bike when he gets here and thanks, but you deal with people you can get a UK landline number from AND talk to him on.
He may just fade away!

[Beemer-5]

Or ask him to provide all HIS details first.

Full name, UK address, home phone number, utility bill, mobile phone number and paypal account number!

[Sossige]

I'd agree that this does sound like a scam in this instance, but just to play devil's advocate for the moment:

Some countries have a legal requirement that a purchaser of the vehicle prove the seller's identity. One country that does this is France - I'm selling my Lotus to a French sports car dealer/collector who wants to import it into France.

A French private buyer needs "sight" of your ID - driving licence or passport. A French trade buyer has to take a photocopy to prove who they bought the car from.

So it's not always ID fraud; but I'd agree, tell him he can have that after viewing the car. I'm giving my buyer a photocopy of my driving licence after he's paid for the car.

[Beemer-5]

It's a pity, but just about everyone you don't know really well is guilty before proven otherwise, these days, because there are so many people wanting to rob you, in one way or another.

[rumpelstiltskin]

I think the thing that gives it away as a scam to me is that they are always long-winded,always mention being out of the country,or being in other countries,long drawn out,detailed explanations of how they will pay etc

[YamR1V64motion]

tell him to fk off, im sure you wont have a problem finding a legitimate buyer for your bike.

[Centurion07]

Hmmmmm...if I was in your situation, I think I'd be tempted to send him scans of everything he requested, after one or two digits have been changed on the licence etc etc.

That way, if it is a scam, he's gonna get busted the first time someone does a check on his fake docs!

But that's just me.

[Vesuvius 996]

"Yeah mate, I want to put down a deposit, but first I want your name, address, bank details and passport...."


FFS!

[rigga]

Well its a different slant on the nigeria scam asking to accept money in return for allowing them to deposit a substantial ammount of money in your account,i find it strange that these people scan sale sites to send these mails out,supose all they need is a couple to fall for it out of the hundreds they send out


Nearly as bad as they guy who rang me and asked me to go pick him up to come view the bike!

Didnt agree to that either........

[Beemer-5]

The golden rule is get some decent cash on board before you give away any personal details to a 'buyer'.
Let him send a cheque, as a deposit, wait for it to clear, then talk turkey.

[AndyDRZ]

I can check for you, if you like...

Give me all your bank details and I'll check to see if anyone has made any fraudulent purchases...
honest