I responded to an email and SMS which I was sure was from GUMTREE recommending an independent broker who would assist in a safe and secure transfer of £7200 for the purchase of a car which was advertised on Gumtree, if it had not come from GUMTREE (as I thought) I would not have responded. Look at their web site that the Gumtree email and SMS directed me to. (www.topcarbrokers.com) even down to company number and pictures of the supposed managers of the company, how many more of your customers will be duped by this scam, how can the organisation be closed down. I transferred the money on Wednesday at around 16:00 from my HSBC Account to a Barclays account no 43438678 sort code 20 14 14 in the name of MC Martin, (I was also given the IBAN GB56BARC20414143438678, Swiftcode BARGLB22). Top car brokers registered it as funds received and was awaiting my release, about two hours after transfer I smelled a rat when your Barclays account holder started stalling and changing the agreed rules, I rang my bank and they said they could do nothing, after three calls they agreed to put a trace on the cash, but that is a dead end. I could only contact Top car brokers via there site email, which I did quite a few times, they eventually sent me a email saying the money would be paid into my account by 09:00 this morning Fri, of course it was not, I suspect it was trying to stall me till they moved the funds from Barclays. After numerous requests Top car brokers gave me a contact phone no 0843 2899471, this is premium rate number that just asks you to hang on for next available operator, (surely as they will be collecting revenue from this number it must be tracable).
I reported the fraud to the police and they gave me a crime Ref no, NFRC 121100105236.
The fraudster who advertised the car in Gumtree (and I am sure set up the whole scam) gave his name to me as a ADAM MICHALSKI whos mobile no is 07523613796 (when I googled this no it was already linked to car scams and Gumtree).
I am devastated that I let myself be duped, I am a pensioner and cannot repay the loan from HSBC easily, (I was going to sell my car which is worth more than the ghost car and repay the loan). Now I am faced with repaying £602.00 a month to HSBC.
Has Barclays got any insurances or can they advise me how I get the cash back, I will not let this drop if you google ADAM MICHALSKI SCAM your bank and Gumtree keep coming up, surely your security boffins could trace this fraudster and stop him (instead of helping him)
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