Scam hits online sales

Hard shoulder: Motorists selling their cars online were warned today to be on their guard against fraudsters targeting Northern…

Hard shoulder:Motorists selling their cars online were warned today to be on their guard against fraudsters targeting Northern Ireland with an internet scam.

UlsterTrader.com warned its site had been targeted by potential fraudsters and had alerted the PSNI. The online car seller said one user reported that after posting her car on the site she received an unusual e-mail from a person asking her to make contact directly and not to use the site's online chat facility.

When she made contact the caller agreed to buy the car unseen and asked her to send her bank details so the buyer could send payment. The seller became suspicious and alerted UlsterTrader, who also received notice of similar attempts to get bank details over the weekend.

- PA