I think this is a scam

I got this email today from someone calling themselves Willy Williams about the traction engine ad I posted. The boiler is pretty evident in the pic I posted

It looks like a scam to me, has anyone heard of this guy?

Hi there,

I wondered if you could perhaps send some more details or photos of the traction engine please, I'm interested in a project.

Does it have a boiler please,

Regards

Willy....

It's not that easy to find the advert so probably beyond the mental capabilities of the usual scammer who is also not going to going to use a turn of phrase including 'wondered' and 'perhaps'. You are asking someone to part with £1800 on the basis of one sideways photo. I would want a HUGE amount of information before parting with that much for a part built model. He might reasonably ask if you are a genuine seller and not a scammer (though you do at least have a decent number of posts and a complete profile?).

He probably meant to ask for a boiler certificate but if you look at the general posts on here about 10% have missing words or are in poor English so hardly a surprise.

I would expect you to provide a couple of dozen photos, model build history, details of plans, the Alchin book and build notebook, boiler cert, club membership details if a non-commercial boiler.

Almost certainly a scam...........

Andrew

Is it possible that Willy is unaware that traction engine boilers are an integral part of the body?

Also quite possible. If that is the case I would not myself sell him a model for his own good as he clearly has a lot to learn and would be wasting his money.

I have asked "Willy" to call me

Lets see what happens

Interesting. Keep us posted on his response.

Perhaps this is a good place to make readers aware of another growing scam; this time one involving postal theft. It works like this.

The fraudster fastens a dummy letter box to the property, maybe at the end of a long driveway, but mounting with glue over the regular door slot is also used. The house owner will be completely unaware of the substitution [how many of us look?] and it is removed by the fraudster after a short period to harvest whatever has been delivered to it.

Even getting a confirmation of the name, address and postcode for the occupants may complete a profile they have amassed from other sources. Naturally, any financially sensitive material will be as gold to their endeavours.

Those with US style mail boxes that are so easily raided without any subterfuge are especially prone.

The information came my way via Police communications in my position as the local Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator for our road.

Brian

Edited By Brian Wood on 03/07/2016 10:04:52

I had an email for Christine Lagard the other day, asking where I wanted the contents of my diplomatic box sent.

Neil

The ones I like are :

1, stating that there is a beautiful (hopefully) Russian girl waiting in My driveway for Me.

2. The FBI (Scotland Yard) stating they cannot find Me(not very likely) and need to tell them where I am at.

3 Maybe I should give Them each others email address because the red head has no trouble finding Me, and the FBI might want the red head more.

Hi Dougie,

Any news from Willy?

Tony

I keep getting tax refunds in my junk they are blocked but they keep altering sender details.

Oh the joys of the internet

I get loads of " Please find attached a copy of your most recent statement " and an attached zip file or word document.

Open that and you have virus's all over.

Again block one and they just change sender address.

Well, "Willy", has been reluctant to get back to me so I'm going to assume it was a scam

Regards

Dougie

.

Why the asterisks for ellow ?