Car Scam Warning

29 March 2010, 17:04 | Updated: 31 March 2010, 12:42

A man who lost £5,000 in a car scam is warning us not to fall for the same thing.

The man from Devon doesn't want to be identified, but lost the money after sending a deposit for a car advertised in a newspaper.

The people selling the car claimed to have it in storage in Germany ready to be shipped to the UK.  All conversations about the car were done through instant messaging on what looked like a company website.

However, once the deposit was paid, the sellers were less prepared to make contact and a message later appeared on the website from an American fraud team to let 'customers' know it was not a genuine site.

The buyer said: "The were so plausable.  They said the car was in storage, it'll be shipped, you can change your mind when the car arrives.  They're very convincing and very nice people - that's how I was sucked in."

To hear more click here.  The voice has been altered to maintain anonymity.

Tell us what you think - Have you been a victim of a scam?  Should more be done to protect us?  Add a comment below.