QUESTION: I have come across this amazing sale on-line for an automobile from a private party in the UK. I smell a scam. Can you please give me some advise?

August 27, 2005

Hello Tony

I have come across this amazing sale on-line for an automobile from a private party living in the UK. Apparently, he purchased the car here in the US and took the car back to the UK and now he wants to sell it to prevent his wife from obtaining the car in their divorce.

He's selling a very expensive car for little or no money compared to the value. He's willing to pay all shipping cost and he wants to do the deal through Share Trade, a third party on-line dispute company.

He's sent me pictures of the car. I sent him my name and address. All the financial part of the deal is suppose to be handled by Share Trade. Initially, I'm to put half of the money down with Share Trade and the car will be shipped to the US. I have 10 days to decide if I want to keep the car. If I keep the car I have 45 days to pay the balance to Share Trade which will forward the money to him.

I have not been contacted by Share Trade yet but I am becoming more and more afraid of putting up my money. From the very same web site I've come across several beautiful cars being sold out of the UK at a fraction of the value. All with sad sob stories as to why they cannot keep these car in their country.

I smell a scam except how is it that they go through reputable on-line companies as the third party in the deal? Please advise me on what I should do at this point. Awaiting your response.

Answer:

Hi,

Do you mean SquareTrade.com? I'm not familiar with Share Trade. In any event this whole thing sounds very fishy. Especially since you've discovered similar deals on the same website.

It just doesn't make any sense. If the guy is offering such a great price why not just sell the car in the UK or at least in Europe? He can save himself a lot of trouble.

I have a feeling that if you send any money you'll never see the car or your money again.

I've written about a somewhat similar scams in the past. You can read about them at: UK Scam and Scam Question.

If I were you I'd err on the side of caution and pass on the deal. Usually if something sounds too good to be true . . . well . . . it usually is! Use your head and don't let the emotions of a potential great deal cloud your judgment!

All my very best...

Tony Iorio