The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Sellers, beware of bogus buyers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 18, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Sellers, beware of bogus buyers

Be careful of con men posing as "buyers" who could make off with your vehicle, warns L. SRIKRISHNA

Tricksters come in various forms in Chennai. Sample this one: A citizen in Adyar who wanted to sell his two-wheeler, placed a free advertisement in a local tabloid. A man claiming to be a buyer arrived in a two-wheeler at the address given by the seller. After parking his vehicle, the stranger took the seller's vehicle for a test drive. But he never returned. The victim filed a complaint with the Adyar police who have registered a case of cheating and are on the look out for the trickster.

The complainant, S Anantha Siva Prakash, had purchased his two-wheeler in 2005. He had given the particulars of the vehicle model in the tabloid along with his mobile number. A few prospective buyers turned up and inspected the vehicle during the last three days, but the person who turned up on Wednesday at around 9.30 a.m. was not a prospective buyer. After waiting for a full day, the victim lodged a complaint.

An investigating officer said police were investigating whether the vehicle left by the trickster at the complainant's premises was genuine or stolen. Officers are also investigating whether the con man was a professional thief who used this modus operandi, Adyar ACP Hari said. A senior officer agreed that this seemed to be a new criminal modus operandi. People need to be more aware of the ingenious methods adopted by criminals and confidence tricksters. When reputed brokers and consultants who buy and sell used vehicles are available, the public may be better off going to them. Otherwise, they should be more vigilant while negotiating with strangers, a two-wheeler consultant said.

Another consultant said many vehicle users "looked at us with suspicion as we charge commission or brokerage. But, for the money we receive from customers, we check the Registration Certificate (RC) book, insurance validity particulars and the vehicle condition. At a time when there are reports in the media about house break-ins, thefts, burglaries, and other types of property crimes, the public should be on the alert for tricksters who changed their tactics often, a senior officer said.

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