East Dorset residents who are looking to sell their vehicle are being warned of a scam which so far has been perpetrated in both Ferndown and Alderholt.

The owners of a car in New Road had advertised its sale with a sign on their driveway and during the evening of Monday 11 July two men arrived and while the bonnet was open one of them distracted the seller. It is believed that the other man poured oil into the radiator. The owner subsequently discovered that the car had a fault. The two men were very sympathetic and offered to still buy the vehicle, but for thousands of pounds below the asking price.

Fortunately, the car owner refused and sought advice from a registered garage and the fault was easily remedied at relatively low cost.

The second incident happened on the same day between 4.15pm and 5pm in Camel Green Road in Alderholt.

A car had been advertised on Autotrader and subsequently the owner received a phone call with a man requesting to see the vehicle. Two men attended the private address and during the viewing distracted the couple who were trying to sell the car. During a test drive the vehicle then showed an electrical fault and black smoke came out of exhaust pipe.

Luckily, a neighbour had witnessed part of the interaction and had seen one of the men pouring liquid into the bonnet area and came out to inform the sellers. The two men then quickly left the area in a car, which had a Romanian number plate. One of the men is described as in his early 30s, about five feet eleven inches tall, of big build and with dark hair.

Police community support investigator Millie Vaughan, of Dorset Police, said: “These two incidents were very similar in nature and I would like to alert our communities to this type of scam to avoid anyone else falling victim.

“I am keen to hear from anyone who might have further information about the offenders or has been approached in similar circumstances.

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

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220111784. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.