Sad and cautionary tale

[jeff oakley]

These people are scum, they are different to normal people because they have no comprehension of decency. The problem is there is no punishment and no come back that puts them off. A few months in Jail, against thousands of pounds. Many people feel so stupid afterwards they do not report the crime.

As for the worst, I heard of a guy who gave his car to a dealer to sell on commission. Car was hard to sell and after several weeks, the owner went to get it back. The car had been sold on, money pocketed and company and guy gone.

No insurance cover as he had given the car willingly, no comeback on new owner as he had bought it legally as the trader had the authority to sell it on the owners behalf. About £18k out of pocket in total.

Life is so much easier for thieves with the internet.

[Lyonspride]

These people are scum, they are different to normal people because they have no comprehension of decency. The problem is there is no punishment and no come back that puts them off. A few months in Jail, against thousands of pounds. Many people feel so stupid afterwards they do not report the crime.

As for the worst, I heard of a guy who gave his car to a dealer to sell on commission. Car was hard to sell and after several weeks, the owner went to get it back. The car had been sold on, money pocketed and company and guy gone.

No insurance cover as he had given the car willingly, no comeback on new owner as he had bought it legally as the trader had the authority to sell it on the owners behalf. About £18k out of pocket in total.

Life is so much easier for thieves with the internet.

 

Problem is many people see it as just that "the internet", it's all inside one box in their minds, it's all the same, they either trust or they don't. The trouble comes from naivety and a lack of experience/knowledge where the internet is concerned.

When you walk into town you know which streets and housing estates to avoid on the way, but on the internet a lot of people just see one street lined with shops.

 

It's absolutely no different to scams in the "real world", the old saying always applies "if it's too good to be true, then it almost always is".

[pickmaster Andy Lowe]

We sold a motorhome on eBay classified 4 weeks later it appeared word for word photo for photo on Gumtree the other side of the country

I contacted police online squad left it to them

[Dodgey]

Gumtree is ridden with criminals. Stolen bikes of mine appeared on there.

Cautionary tales are useful but at the end of the day, never ever do a bank transfer unless you have the goods in your hand. It amazes me people do it (well, actually it doesn't I'm afraid).

I've sold a fair few high end cars for my parents recently (£40k plus) and even when I'm paid cash I take the buyer to the bank with me so I see the bank accept it as real money.