Fraudster targets online trailer advert

An H&H reader says she was “horrified” to discover that a fraudster had hijacked her online advert for a trailer – and posted it on eBay.

Ros Evans, from Ayrshire, advertised her Equi-Trek Show Treka L on the Horse Deals and Horse Quest websites.

But she soon received phone calls asking if it was the same one that was listed on eBay.

She said the advert on the auction site was almost identical to the one she had posted online.

The bogus seller was offering the trailer for £3,200 – less than half the price she was asking – and requested that the buyer paid via eBay.

They claimed to offer free delivery within the UK plus a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Customers who attempted to contact the “seller” were unable to get a response from the number listed.

eBay said it is investigating the matter.

Mrs Evans told H&H she was left “feeling vulnerable”.

“I just hope no one has paid for the trailer that is still sitting in my yard,” she added.

Jamey Johnson, who runs the government agency Action Fraud, said buyers should be vigilant with expensive items.

“If an item is seriously under value, extra care should be taken. If the trader is cagey, play it safe and don’t buy,” he warned.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (29 September, 2011)

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