CCTV appeal after second hand car scam in Poole

The scam occurred during the evening of 13 April on Alder Road in Poole and CCTV images have now been released of the suspects.

The victims – a man and a woman from Poole – had advertised their BMW for sale on eBay, when they received a request from a man to view the vehicle.

Three men are reported to have attended the address and distracted the sellers, while one of them poured oil into the coolant system. The group then took the car on a test drive and it began to smoke. The trio reported the fault to the victims and offered to buy the car for far less that it was worth. The victims declined the offer.

Police Constable Steve Boston, of Dorset Police, said: “We have had a number of reports over recent months of scammers distracting private car sellers and pouring a substance, normally oil, into the coolant system and causing the vehicle to smoke when being test driven. The scammer then offers to buy the car for a much lower price.

“I would like to hear from anyone who can identify the men pictured or who has any further information.

“I’d advise anyone selling or planning to sell their car to be aware of anyone operating as described and to report anything suspicious to police.”