Young Equipment /Young Plant– Stolen identity

Young-Equipments Ltd or Young Equipment Sales Ltd at http://young-equipments.com
Young Plant Sales at http://www.young-plant-ltd.com
Young Equipment Sales at http://young-equipments.co.uk

I have been worrying about these for a few weeks so had better post something before I see a post from a victim and feel really bad!

To be absolutely clear there is a legitimate UK registered company

Young Plant and Equipment Sales Limited
Lochill Industrial Estate Doune Perthshire FK16 6AU
Company No. SC064957
Status: Active
Date of Incorporation: 24/05/1978
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Company Type: Private Limited Company
Nature of Business (SIC):
46140 - Agents involved in the sale of machinery, industrial equipment, ships and aircraft
VAT GB 309181076

Their website is here: http://youngplant.co.uk

However there are (at least) 3 other websites claiming this name and address

1) This one registered anonymously (Melbourne IT / Yahoo) 20th November 2013 for 1 year only is a probable fraud. However with no machines for sale currently it is not an obviously imminent threat.

Young-Equipments Ltd at http://young-equipments.com
Also call themselves Young Equipment Sales Ltd

Young Equipment Sales has been exporting used construction equipment for over 34 years. We are experienced in dealing with all logistical requirements of shipment using our own trucks and trailers and we can offer loading facilities for both lorries and containers, together with competitive transport quotes.

Almost all overseas customers buy machines directly from our website, but some visitors prefer to inspect machines prior to purchase and we are always happy to welcome overseas guests to our premises.

4 Ashmill Road Deanston Scotland FK16 6AU
ph: +44 191 645 8655 (a Tyneside number, so nowhere near Deanston)
fax: Fax. +44 122 441 8655 (an offshore number)


2) Young Plant Sales at http://www.young-plant-ltd.com This is a definite fraud.

Quality Used Equipment - Ready When You Are The reliable and eficine performance of your machinery is crucial to the productivity of your business, so you need a company you can rely on to provide you with top quality used equipment. Young Plant Sales are ideally placed to offer a comprehensive range of quality used second hand equipment.

Young Plant Sales Ltd.
4 Ashmill Road, Deanston, FK16 6AU, Scotland United Kingdom
Tel: +44 191 645 8655 Same as above
Fax. +44 122 441 8655 Same as above

Domain registered anonymously (Melbourne IT / Yahoo) 21st November 2013 for 1 year only


3) Young Equipment Sales at http://young-equipments.co.uk

The reliable and efficine performance of your machinery is crucial to the productivity of your busiiness, so you need a company you can rely on to provide you with top quality used equipment.

Young Equipment Sales has been exporting used construction equipment for over 34 years.

Our preferred method of payment is Bank Transfer. All funds must be cleared before goods are removed from our yard.

Young Equipment Sales Ltd.
4 Ashmill Road, Deanston, FK16 6AU, Scotland United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1786 498778
Fax: +44 (0)1786 201410 (both look to be appropriate geographic numbers)

This one appears to have been registered using the company name and address on 7th January 2014 for 2 years but with registrant type “Other UK Entity” (e.g. clubs, associations, many universities) which seems a bit off. Unfortunately there is actually no UK registered company of this name and this one does not quote its company registration or VAT number and when I tried one of the contact emails it bounced.

None of these sites belong to the legitimate company.
So a big for all 3

The legitimate company knows. From their website http://www.youngplant.co.uk/news/beware_fraudsters:

BEWARE "FRAUDSTERS"

It has been brought to our attention that a website has been created using a name very similar to Young Plant & Equipment Sales Ltd, showing our site address and VAT number.

They have even emailed potential customers to say that we are one and the same business. - THIS IS NOT TRUE!

They are advertising tractors and excavators and do not exist at this address, are not associated with us or even known to us. We do not believe that they are a proper business.

Please beware before forwarding any money and ensure you make proper financial checks. The Authorities have been notified and are investigating.

If you have been a victim of these fraudsters please contact your local Police Authority with your details. You can also report this fraud at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk

Fraudsters continue to copy our name, address, VAT number etc but noticeably not our telephone and fax numbers or email addresses.

Many companies mostly in Europe have lost large deposits to these fraudsters who use a name almost identical to ours and who advertise tractors and diggers that do not belong to them for cheap prices. These machines do not exist or are not owned by them or us. Our advise is NEVER to pay for machines until you have visited and inspected them unless you know your supplier very well. Please warn others of this as we have received visits from many customers from abroad who have been duped by these people and LOST considerable sums of money. Young Plant Sales are NOT associated with any other company with a similar name and do not export much equipment and do NOT stock agricultural tractors new or used. Young Plant Sales would be delighted if the Police could detain the perpetrators and if the Internet Service Provider and Banks involved would carry out checks on these fraudsters and close offending sites/accounts down immediately.
Please be alert to this internet fraud.

If you have any queries please email Helen Lidgate in our Administration Department.