bhammer
Ensign
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2008
- Messages
- 963
All, I have been asked by an out of state friend to post on his behalf so I took notes the best I could...
Back in January, he listed his 21' 2006 boat for sale. In about 2 weeks (January 22) he had a verbal offer and on the 23rd, they did a lake test and the buyer went over the boat real good. They did a bill of sale for the boat and trailer and listed the HIN, all the serials of the engine and outdrive. Everything on the up and up. Both went to the Buyer's bank, got a cashiers check and the deal was done. The problem was, the guy was in the process of purchasing a new truck. He would come get the boat in 2 days when his truck was ready. Come to find out, the Seller knew the car salesman as well. The Seller offered to tow it to his house for $25 for gas money and Buyer declined.
Well, it is now May and the boat is still around. He has sent 7 letters, 3 of which were certified and has gotten no response. Someone has received the letters. In late April, the Seller drove to his house and knocked on the door. No one there knew the Buyer. Tried a couple of other addresses similar to the one of the Bill of Sale without luck.
He called the car dealer and talked with the salesperson and he said they had his truck and ready to deliver but couldn't reach him either but hadn't paid yet. He went to the bank but they wouldn't even talk to him or try to get in contact with him. They were not alarmed as the branch manager seemed to be looking at his account details. No big red flags or anything...
He thought for a bit that he was being scammed but couldn't figure out how he ended up with a valid cash check and the boat. Now, he thinks the guy died or went to prison. He contacted an attorney and is waiting his response.
What is he to do? He has goggled for his name and searched the local papers for any info but nothing. He even searched through some of the public databases to try and find the guy. He found him and comes up with the same info he gave. Very strange. I told him, it sounds like he stole someones identity, made some deposits to the bank and was using bogus info so that he couldn't be found. Maybe was caught and put in jail or something.....
I think the attorney will tell him to contact the local police but he takes a chance of loosing the boat and the money. He is fine with one or the other but not both.
If all else fails, he can drive it down here and park at my house and tell everyone he woke up and it was gone.
Back in January, he listed his 21' 2006 boat for sale. In about 2 weeks (January 22) he had a verbal offer and on the 23rd, they did a lake test and the buyer went over the boat real good. They did a bill of sale for the boat and trailer and listed the HIN, all the serials of the engine and outdrive. Everything on the up and up. Both went to the Buyer's bank, got a cashiers check and the deal was done. The problem was, the guy was in the process of purchasing a new truck. He would come get the boat in 2 days when his truck was ready. Come to find out, the Seller knew the car salesman as well. The Seller offered to tow it to his house for $25 for gas money and Buyer declined.
Well, it is now May and the boat is still around. He has sent 7 letters, 3 of which were certified and has gotten no response. Someone has received the letters. In late April, the Seller drove to his house and knocked on the door. No one there knew the Buyer. Tried a couple of other addresses similar to the one of the Bill of Sale without luck.
He called the car dealer and talked with the salesperson and he said they had his truck and ready to deliver but couldn't reach him either but hadn't paid yet. He went to the bank but they wouldn't even talk to him or try to get in contact with him. They were not alarmed as the branch manager seemed to be looking at his account details. No big red flags or anything...
He thought for a bit that he was being scammed but couldn't figure out how he ended up with a valid cash check and the boat. Now, he thinks the guy died or went to prison. He contacted an attorney and is waiting his response.
What is he to do? He has goggled for his name and searched the local papers for any info but nothing. He even searched through some of the public databases to try and find the guy. He found him and comes up with the same info he gave. Very strange. I told him, it sounds like he stole someones identity, made some deposits to the bank and was using bogus info so that he couldn't be found. Maybe was caught and put in jail or something.....
I think the attorney will tell him to contact the local police but he takes a chance of loosing the boat and the money. He is fine with one or the other but not both.
If all else fails, he can drive it down here and park at my house and tell everyone he woke up and it was gone.
