MALAWI HIGH COMMISSION – UNITED KINGDOM: MEDIA RELEASE 13 APRIL 2016
BOGUS WEBSITES AND DEALERS FOR UK VEHICLE PURCHASES
The Malawi High Commission to the United Kingdom (UK) wishes to warn all Malawians wishing to buy vehicles (especially trucks) from the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland to be vigilant as most of the purported online traders could be bogus.
The Mission has received a considerable number of requests from Malawians to trace traders whom they have already paid money to for trucks or other type of vehicles, yet not delivered. In many instances the dealers disappear as soon as they receive full payment.
The scams include newly registered websites that expire as soon as they con a group of people, toll free numbers or mobile numbers without a registered address. To attract customers, they offer rock bottom prices for vehicles including shipping costs. Such sites are expected to raise alarm to would be buyers.
Whilst the High Commission has been able to assist, in some cases, tracking the fraudsters and seeking relief from UK authorities, the most proactive way of addressing the matter would be: any Malawian buyer wishing to purchase goods or services from a website or dealers they do not know or have never transacted with, to verify the legitimacy and physical presence of the dealer, or requesting the Mission to assist with due diligence.
The High Commission will continue to assist those Malawians to verify any website or dealer existence in the UK verified before entering into any financial transactions.
Contact:
Trade and Investment Section
Malawi High Commission
LONDON
+44 207421 6010
Email: malawihighcommission@btconnect.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/malawiat50
Twitter: @malawiinuk
