Autotrader email only contact advert - car is abroad - scam?

I would say it reeks of scam.

Errrm, yes, I emailed one to prove it to my Husband!

Hello again, First of all I'd like to let you know that the 2005 BMW X3 is still available for sale. The vehicle is a British model, with English specifications and registration. It complies with the UK emission standards. The car is meticulously maintained. No damage, no scratches or dents, no hidden defects, runs and sounds awesome, the engine has never been repaired or something like that, not a Cat D or C, exactly as advertised. I purchased the vehicle from England and used it while I worked there. Now because of the financial crisis I moved back to my home country, Switzerland. I brought the vehicle in Switzerland with me, but as the crisis is getting worse I can't afford to keep it anymore. Probably you are wondering why I am selling it for such a low price. The market price for right handed vehicles is low in Swiss and having a lower price than the UK market will bring me a buyer faster than having a high one. I am a private seller not a dealer therefore this transaction is sales tax free, however please note purchase price does not include shipping and insurance taxes. The final price is £5,750 + shipping to your door. For an accurate shipping cost please include your shipping address or postal code in your next email. Due to amount involved and due the fact I am not located in United Kingdom, I only accept escrow transaction mediator ( Money held by a third party until the conditions of an agreement are met). All the documents, including V5 log book on your name will be provided along with the car. Please email me soon if you want to move forward and let me know if you need anything else. Best regards, Carolyn Sthurter.

Thank you. It seemed very dodgy to me!

Thanks again x

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It sounds like you're encountering a situation where an advertisement on Autotrader involves a car being located abroad, and the seller is asking to contact them via email only. This setup is often associated with scams, and there are a few red flags to look out for:

1. Email-only communication: Legitimate sellers typically provide phone numbers or offer direct communication through the platform. If a seller insists on only email contact, it's a common scam tactic to avoid direct verification.

2. Car located abroad: While there are legitimate international car sales, scams frequently involve cars being overseas to make the transaction seem more complicated, thus discouraging buyers from verifying the car's existence in person. The seller may offer excuses for why the car can't be shown locally, such as being "on hold" for shipping or with a shipping company.

3. Too good to be true pricing: If the car is being offered at a price that seems much lower than similar listings or below market value, it's another common sign of a scam.

4. Requests for payment before seeing the car: Scammers often ask for payment upfront, typically through bank transfers, cryptocurrency, or other non-reversible methods. If the seller requests payment without allowing you to inspect the car or verify ownership, it's likely a scam.

• Avoid payment or sharing personal details until the car can be physically inspected.
• Request more information, such as photos of the car with today's date or identification documents, and be cautious if the seller refuses to provide these.
• Check the car’s history using services like Carfax or similar platforms that track vehicle reports.
• Contact Autotrader directly to report any suspicious ads.

If you suspect a scam, it's best to walk away and report the listing to the platform. Stay cautious when dealing with offers that seem too good to be true, especially involving international transactions.