Sadly, scams continue to be rife, as the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign has recently highlighted. Britons are being warned to watch out for impersonation scams, with new figures showing over £170million was lost to this type of fraud last year across more than 45,000 cases.
A variety of scams can take place, with fraudsters coming up with various ways to get people to part with their money.
This happened to a couple in their 30s, who wished to remain anonymous, as they shared their story with Express.co.uk.
The pair were looking for a car online via a popular online marketplace, when they came across their dream vehicle.
They contacted the seller, who told them his father had died and he was keen to sell the car on because he didn’t share his dad’s passion for cars.
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After several phone calls and WhatsApp conversations, the couple agreed to go and view the car the coming weekend.
However, that Friday, they received a call from the seller, telling them he had been approached by a car dealer who had made an offer. If the couple wanted to hold the car, they would need to send a £500 deposit.
Eager not to miss out, the couple paid the money and were sent the address of where they could collect the vehicle.
A quick search showed a plush-looking house with a double garage.
The next day, the husband and wife made a two-and-a-half-hour drive to the location, where they knocked on the door.
But they were surprised when an elderly couple answered and said: “Oh no, are you here about the car? You’re the third one this week.”
Unfortunately, the couple had been scammed. There was no car, and a scammer had made up an elaborate backstory about a sale to reel in unsuspecting victims and take what they thought was a cash deposit.
The elderly couple also had nothing to do with the scam and were also being victimised, as the fraudster had selected their house to use for his plot, without their knowledge.
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The couple told Express.co.uk: “We felt absolutely sick to our stomach first and foremost – we couldn’t believe it.
“Then that disbelief translated into anger – how can people do that kind of thing to other people?
“It’s a real shame that people like this exist – to scam money out of hardworking people.”
Sadly, the couple had also been burgled a few years ago, and comparing the two circumstances, the couple said both felt like a “betrayal”.
They added: “We had asked for thorough photos and spoken to the seller on the phone so assumed he was legitimate. He was very convincing and we’d been looking for ages for our perfect car.”
However, in the future, the couple explained they would work hard to do their due diligence and ensure they were not victimised in the same way again.
They had a stark word of warning for anyone shopping on an online marketplace.
They said: “You should be so very vigilant, and never, ever send money to someone you don’t know.
“Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
“These scammers are so good at making you think they are genuine, honest, humans – it’s unnerving.
“So, it has never been more important to take steps to check for genuine communication.”
