UK Plant and Agricultural Machinery Websites

Having reported a number of fake UK Plant and Agricultural Machinery websites, I was asked to look at some others.

Disturbingly I have found a number of them where photographs have been taken from US websites relating to machinery for sale located in the USA in the middle of last year, and claiming that the machinery is now in the UK, in which case I'd expect them to be re-photographed in their new location and I don't know how plausible it is that it is economic to re-sell goods bought in the USA, bearing in mind the costs of transportation.

There could be an explanation for this but it gives rise to concern.

There isn't enough evidence of a scam being performed to pursue it, yet, but if anyone has further information, I'll look in to it further.

The sensible thing is to insist on viewing the goods prior to purchase. If the seller won't do that, then I'd recommend that you walk away. When you're looking for a bargain and dealing with smaller less well-known companies, you have to be more cautious.

I see how this is operated now and the general scenario. It's the standard bait, hook and scam.

Adverts are posted anonymously on (East) European plant sites, or with fake and vague seller details offering goods at ludicrously low prices. The bait.

The buyer contacts the seller who offers details of a fake website and company details that appear regular. The goods can't be inspected or they're located somewhere out of the way in the UK, they claim. The website and company details are the hook.

The scam is that payment is to be made by a means other than bank transfer Pay Pal or Western Union.

WARNING SIGNS

1. Is the price too good to be true ?

2. Is the seller anonymous on the advert, or someone claiming to be foreign, who suddenly identifies themselves as representing a UK registered company with a website ? (Why not give their true identity in the advert - unless they have something to hide).

3. Are you asked to pay by a means other than a bank transfer to an account in their company name ?

The existence of a website proves nothing and impersonating a company is easy. If you're expected to purchase a machine based on a website and a few e-mails you WILL lose money. Unless you know the seller, make sure you see the machine before you part with any cash.

These websites are so bad I have to mention them.

Different company imposters but website clones

http://www.krplantsales.com/

http://mwd-plant.com/

even down to the machines they're selling

http://www.krplantsales.com/construction/backhoe-loaders

http://mwd-plant.com/construction/backhoe-loaders

and the individual machines are the same

http://mwd-plant.com/construction/-9/caterpillar-301.8-2010.html

http://www.krplantsales.com/construction/-9/caterpillar-301.8-2010.html

Oh look, even the pages are named the same.

The same photos of some of the machines can be viewed here, claiming to be offered for sale 248 days ago by plantmachinesww located in Antwerp.

http://www.aanbod.be/vangebruiker/352532

The English on the clone sites is poor and the sites themselves lack the details expected of a proper commercial site.

MWD-Plant and all connected with this company (maybe only with web sites) is a large fraud based on electronic base. I have direct evidence for if. If you are interested in it, contact me immediately on [email protected]

E-mail address removed to protect this user's privacy - contact with this User can be made by using the Private Message facility - Michelle