Matthew P

SCAM ARTIST

On the 11th June 2024 I agreed to purchase a car from Graverly Trade Sales that I spotted on Auto Trader, it was a BMW 1 series Orange (CA53 BFC) the seller provided me with bank details for a man named Andrew Bracey, who the seller told me was the director of Graveley Trade Sales, the sellers name was Mo, I thereafter transferred £8,500 to the bank account that was provided.  On the 12th of June late afternoon, the car was delivered.  On the 13th of June I contacted the seller as there was no log book and the number on the new keeper slip was incorrect.  I also informed the seller of a drivetrain fault that showed up on the dashboard at 1543hrs on that same day, unfortunately the seller wouldn’t respond to me about this problem.  On the 15th June 2024, I started the process of returning this faulty vehicle, due to its drivetrain fault, which unfortunately the seller failed to acknowledge.  I understood my rights,  “Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015” I informed him 5 days after I purchased the car and 4 days from the date I received the car well within 30 days. I contacted Andrew Bracey and asked him to confirm that he was the director of GTS (Graverly Trade Sales) as was stated by the seller Mo. Which he denied, he informed me that he was the director of Bracey Motors and apparently had nothing to do with GTS I then asked Mr Bracey to confirm that the bank details I used were actually his, He confirmed they were and gave me an alternate number for the seller and his full name, Mohammad Ahmed. Unfortunately the number rang out and mr Ahmed wouldn’t return any texts or calls.  I queried Mr Bracey as to why the money had been transferred to him if he wasn’t the director of GTS as the seller had stated. He informed me that the seller owed him money, and thats why the £8,500 was transferred to him. That’s the moment I knew I was caught up in a scam. I had to take the car to my mechanic to have the fault checked and as it turned out this car has multiple faults showing, with repairs in excess of thousands, me and my family are now travelling around on buses, and taxis and I’ve had little to no correspondence with the seller.  Apart from him telling me that I purchased a modified vehicle sold for spare parts, which is of course not the case and a blatant lie.  “Good Morning, what is the issue with the vehicle? From record you purchased a modified vehicle sold as seen on a spares or repairs basis with no returns. The car ran and drove as it should and was advertised as having minimal testing with no warranty”   Including the message above and a couple of other with the seller continuing to state I have buyers remorse and he won’t be taking the car back.  I contacted Auto Trader customer service, they were kind enough to send me the original description of the car.  Please see attached letter.  Not once in the description is it mentioned it was sold for parts, nor did he mention that on our messages on Auto Trader, WhatsApp, iMessage, FaceTime calls or phone calls. There is no way on earth I would have bought that car for parts. I have a young family to get around, I informed him of my intention to do so, and he informed me time and time again that this was an excellent vehicle, in full working order.  Consumer affairs have informed me to send a formal letter of intent to return the vehicle.   Please see attached letter.  This letter was sent to the address on Auto trader which is: Graveley Trade Sales, High Street, Hitchin, SG4 7LE This letter was sent back to me on 27th June 2024 as that address doesn’t exist and attempts to find an address for this business have been futile. However I also sent a recorded letter addressed to Andrew Bracey at Bracey Motors. Thankfully that letter was received. That’s why I was contacted by Mohammad Ahmed recently. But with no help from him unfortunately. Just for him to state on messages that I’m dealing with buyer remorse, and he won’t accept the return of the car.  Mr Bracey must have contacted Mr Ahmed and informed him to contact me. I received a letter from DVLA on 29 June to inform me that the new keeper slip had an incorrect number on it and that I would have to pay £25 in order to obtain an up to date logbook etc.  This has been a terrible experience for myself and my family we now have no vehicle and have to rely on public transport.  If you require anymore information on this ordeal, please contact 07543 517 036 Kind regards  Matthew Pirrone