My mate has his car for sale on Pistonheads. He's just received this email, but I'm fairly sure its going to turn out a scam...


Dear Mr
I saw your S14 on Pistonheads.com and decided to take it. Since I live in
Austria, it would take about 3 weeks till I am able to fly to your location
and take the car. So, if this is okay for your, I would do an deposit of
about 2000?, so you know I am for sure and pay the rest when we meet.
If you may have the time to answer me a few questions or feel free to call
me from 6.00Am till 23.00 Am.
Are the pictures of the car actual pictures and is the car running?
Have you chanced the timing belt or has this to be done.
Since I want to drive home with the car, is the engine in a good condition
and everything running properly?

Thnak you for having time to answer these questions and I hope toi hear from
you soon,

Sincerely yours,
Clemens Kauderer


My Phone No:

 

SCAM,SCAM,SCAM tell em where to go mate

Regards

Neil 06 2.5 WRX PPP

 

Could be a blag, could be genuine bad translation.

Either set up a new bank account and provide details or suggest payment by paypal with fees refunded when they pick the car up.

Least then main bank account details aren't given out and if its genuine and the guy does come over to get it, you know the paypal money isn't going to be taken back (although I'm not sure how that can happen with paypal - I've used it to buy cars before)

 

Doesnt really follow the normal criteria for a scam though does it?
In fact, seems like a fairly genuine sort of email and one that I personally would follow up.
At the very least he would get a phone call from a witheld number.

 

hmm does seem a bit odd, get the deposit through paypal, dont accept it any other way.

 

I notice theres a "for sure" in there - only people in F1 say "for sure"

He could be minted

 

123people

is his phone number listed here ??

Could be genuine

Shaun

 

Agreed, i would ask for him to electronically transfer the funds bank to bank (cannot remember the name for this) it is secure and safe.

If ok then let him come to view to car and pay UKP or another wire transfer (overnight maybe?)

 

It wouldn't be a very good scam if it didn't look genuine If it started off 'I live in Nigeria, please send me your bank details' it wouldn't make much money.

If he wants the car he will come to see it first before buying it. Then its a trip to the bank to pay travellers cheques into your account. No need for risk on either side then.