Is this a scam from Denmark?

[skyblues]

A man phones me in response to my advert on Boats & Outboards. says he is from Denmark and buys boats in UK ships them to Denmark and sells on making 10 to 15% mark up. He says that money will be transferred to my bank account before boat is released. I have now had an offer from him via e mail having sent him lots of detailed pictures. Has anyone else been approached like this? And what is the safest way to proceed?

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by skyblues

A man phones me in response to my advert on Boats & Outboards. says he is from Denmark and buys boats in UK ships them to Denmark and sells on making 10 to 15% mark up. He says that money will be transferred to my bank account before boat is released. I have now had an offer from him via e mail having sent him lots of detailed pictures. Has anyone else been approached like this? And what is the safest way to proceed?

Sounds dodgy to me. It's not a long trip to make to view boats in person.

[Mick Balch]

There are a lot of scammers around but a simple test is as follows.

If your buyer is really genuine suggest that he pays for your boat via your solicitor. If its genuine there should be no issues. If its a scam they will be off like a shot.

It might cost you a small fee but if its genuine at least you wont lose the opportunity of selling the boat.

[skyblues]

thanks. I have replied to him asking for details of exactly how he proposes paying. I have been reading about escrow as a way of receiving payment. Has anyone used this kind of service?

[bazza]

Get him to transfer the money directly into your bank account and then remove the money before releasing the boat.

All you have to give him is the account no. and sort code. Nothing that anyone cannot get when you give them a cheque.

[codprawn]

Don't use escrow - that's how many of the scammers work. Make sure the funds are cleared fully into your account and check with your bank to make sure they can't be clawed back.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogus_escrow

If it's him who has suggest Escrow run a mile!!!

[chewy]

I sold a 25ft lifeboat to a lad in Holland.
He placed a £100 deposit on it and arranged the deliery.
I sailed it to Whitby where the lad had arranged for it to be picked up. The lad who picked it up had the remainder of the cash.

If he is serious they shouldn't be any problem with him coming across to view the boat?

[Pablo]

I was thinking of doing exactly the same thing from France. I don't see any reason for it to be a scam.

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Don't use escrow - that's how many of the scammers work. Make sure the funds are cleared fully into your account and check with your bank to make sure they can't be clawed back.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogus_escrow

If it's him who has suggest Escrow run a mile!!!

No don't use THEIR escrow - escrow itself is not fundamentally flawed - it relies on the principle of a TRUSTED third party. If you use an Untrusted 3rd party - thats dumb! The principle of using your lawyers account is similar - although he won't normally control release of the goods.

If this guy if he is legit is presumably operating as a business so will be able to provide information which may help with his credibility: company name, phone number (how is it answered if you dial anonymously), company registration number, VAT number, previous satisfied customers you can talk to, a written contract / bill of sale. None of that is particularly hard to fake but it will at least mean it is a professional scam!

[Andy Gee]

Originally Posted by bazza

Get him to transfer the money directly into your bank account and then remove the money before releasing the boat.

All you have to give him is the account no. and sort code. Nothing that anyone cannot get when you give them a cheque.

Sometimes that isnt failsafe. Best way would be as suggested to use a Solicitor or have do a direct BACS/Bank to bank transfer and have your bank confirm that the funds are cleared.
Done this many times with buyers from Russia, Estonia etc and have never had a problem- If your man has an issue with this walk away .
HTH
Andy