AMK has not requested an investigation. We're not sure either. So we do not mention brands, types, names and telephone numbers. Maarrrr ...
A warning is appropriate
An AMK reader who we therefore call Hans from a privacy point of view while his name is Vincent… Aiii. Tricky business that requires privacy!
So Hans had thought that he would be extra happy if he bought a classic. The classic of his dreams. He asked around and searched the Internet. We gave him the names of a few foreign selling sites like Leboncoin, Kleinanzeigen, Subito.it plus some foreign links from Autoscout24, Mobile.de and the like.
Found it!
After a day on the Internet, Hans fed back his find: On such an international sales site, he had found the classic of his dreams. It was offered by a private person, a Dutchman from - say - Amersfoort. He sent the link. We saw the ad and the pictures on it tickled us. There were three of them. They looked a bit strange in terms of cut-out.
Still think for a moment
And no license plate was visible in the photos. And there were a few. But the price was razor-sharp. Now we hear more than the average classic enthusiast. So we know that there are neo liberal entrepreneurs who pull random photos from the Internet and use them pretending to own the classic (or washing machine, piano or smartphone). One of our advertisers once saw one of his cars moved from his site to the sales site. With its company name legible on the facade. Since that time, he has been photographing, like many colleagues, with 'license plates' bearing his company name.
Some searching on the site we are talking about resulted in a 06 number. We looked up that mobile number 'reversed by name' and found two responses in which there was a 'warning for this number'. We called the number. And got a neat sounding someone on the line. The classic in question was still there. It was simple: you could only grab this global opportunity by paying it immediately.
Personal circumstances
When we asked why the classic was offered so cheaply, a long story was told about circumstances, lack of time, personal things. The 'salesman' even had a gasp in his voice when he sighed that his beloved classic had to leave because of his divorce. That had to be done quickly, because otherwise his expectant ex would claim half of the classic in the divorce. That's why he offered the classic so cheaply. And - oh yes - the classic was still at his foreign summer house.
But after payment he would immediately send the papers and he could even arrange transport to the Netherlands thanks to his good relations in the transport world. The carrier was a good friend. The transport from the south of France would therefore cost only 340 euros. And the transporter would even arrange customs clearance and registration with the RDW for that money. But payment had to be made quickly. To keep the money out of the greedy clutches of that bitch.
The story was clear to us
This way of defrauding by fencing with the emergency sale of a classic that happened to be abroad is a well-known scam trick. Of the same caliber as that of the widow who grants her legacy to you because you are known to her as a True Lover and Integer Man. Not to mention that South African lawyer who found out after a lot of effort that you would be the sole heir to a deceased heart surgeon. Any other examples you can think of have already been thought up.
Search work
When checking the photos on Google image search, the classic also showed up. And he was emphatically not in the South of France or Amersfoort.
Friend Hans was very happy with the information. He continues to search for his dream classic. And if he found it, saw it and tried it satisfactorily? Then he just wants to pay four grand more for it than his dormant dream in the South of France should cost.
The lesson of this story is an ancient wisdom: If something seems too good to be true, it is usually not true. On the other hand, you can also have the luck of your life.
We have not used our own names or telephone numbers in this text. And the photos are just a few pictures for 'there'. For we do not want to suggest the slightest suggestion that we are blaming someone for something. In fact, you are the only 'culprit' if you believe in such a beautiful and emotionally told story of the selling party. So look before you leap. And take a critical look at the photos accompanying the advertisements.
Preventing scammers on a website from starting a business under your name is tricky.
- It is wise to set up an automatic search for your company name via Google Alerts. This means that the internet is constantly searched for the use of your name. This can help detect abuse at an early stage;
- If you see that your company name is being misused, report this to the trading place so that the account can be terminated;
- If there is a website with your company name, look at, for example
Whois to find out where the site is hosted. Report the misuse of your name for that site to the hosting party and ask them to take the site down. Such a notice & takedown procedure must be substantiated and the application will not lead to success in all cases.
If you suspect that your corporate identity is also being misused, report this to the Fraud Help Desk.
A simple philosophy: only hand over money when you receive the car or motorcycle. Insist on taking an extensive test drive beforehand. If the seller doesn't want that, he is hiding something. Knowledge of and experience with the type in question is recommended. Otherwise, the deal will soon turn into an impulse purchase. Impulsive often goes wrong. Never put your last penny or euro into the purchase of a vehicle. Cheaper = often more fun. That said, I've seen academics ripped off for a lot of money. Once people are enraptured by the illusion they see, the damage is often done.
Agree! Emotion is bad counsel
Deception is not always so easy to spot! A few years ago a French friend bought a very nice car of about 60 years old from a well-known Dutch classic car dealer. Because it was such a solid looking company, he accepted to pay well above the market value for the car that was completely restored as new. The car was delivered in France. During the first ride it turned out that no oil had been poured into the swingarm. 2000 km later the engine made a very nasty noise. After expert assessments by various experts, the car turned out to be a dangerous bruise: the chassis was badly welded, the cylinder head torn and various body parts made of plastic. Disapproved for road use! After 2 years, the seller took back the car and reimbursed it. This was my friend's first classic. He has learned a lot!
It is a pity that learning money is often so much money.