Bank Draft Scam

West African advance fee or 419 fraud

The scam, officially known as the West African advance fee or 419 fraud involves a buyer ususally from abroad who wants to buy a vehicle. They claim that they are owed money by a UK customer who will send a bankers draft for the full price of the vehicle, plus a few extra thousand to cover the cost of the shipping without viewing the vehicle. This alone should raise suspicion.

Never release your vehicle until you have confirmed with your bank that the bankers draft is genuine. Most UK banks will confirm that drafts from them have been issued, with exception of Barclays and the Woolwich. Call the branch who issued the draft direct- a genuine draft will have been authorised by somebody at the branch or at a call centre. Establish the phone number for the bank yourself- don't take the buyers word for it. If the bank won't confirm it, don't chance it!

The seller is then asked to pay the draft into their bank and transfer the overpaid money to the buyer. The bank draft itself may seem genuine but there are many stolen or forged drafts around. Make sure you verify it or ask for an alternative and cleared method of payment.

After the money has been sent, the seller hears nothing more from the buyer. Normally, the bank will contact the seller after a few days to tell them that the bankers draft was stolen, forged or that it has bounced so check with your bank how long it will take to fully clear so there is no chance of any comeback on you. If the bankers draft is forged the money will be taken back out of the seller's account and the seller could be out of pocket by thousands of pounds.
If in any doubt, don't release the car.

For further information contact your bank, the local police or trading standards.

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