Trade Me scam investigated by police

At least 16 Trade Me customers have been left out of pocket after paying a 50 per cent deposit to an Auckland-based dealer who claims to be importing cars from Japan. No cars were ever delivered. TradeMe head of trust and safety Jon Duffy told The New Zealand Herald the company had banned the man and some associates, but he was still operating using other dealers' names. A notice posted on Trade Me's website on January 13 warns users not to do business with him and "never give this person access to your Trade Me account". Duffy said anyone selling a car on Trade Me should have the car in New Zealand. "If the deal seems too good to be true then it probably is. Legitimate vehicle traders don't typically ask for a 50 per cent deposit to help import the vehicle." A spokeswoman confirmed police are investigating several complaints. One Nelson-based Trade Me customer told the Herald he paid a $2300 deposit to the man last October for a 2006 Suzuki Swift, which cost $4999 plus on-road costs of $300 and $500 for repairs. After the deposit was paid, the man gave the would-be buyer multiple excuses for not delivering the car. One Auckland couple claimed they paid the man a $2800 deposit last March for a 2007 Nissan Tilda priced at $5603, but were told the car could not be delivered because it needed repairs. "Month after month, it was still not repaired," the wife told the Herald. "It's now repaired, but he offered a different car from what was advertised. It seems like he just doesn't have a car." Another Auckland man paid a $2750 deposit for a 2006 Toyota Ractis last September. Despite numerous calls and emails, it has not been received. The unnamed man has used the names of at least two registered motor vehicle dealers and at least one business name, Kar Guru New Zealand, which is not registered with the Motor Vehicle Traders Register or the Companies Office. He has used multiple first names with Trade Me customers and has not given out his surname. He has also used the first name of a registered director from one of the registered companies who purchased a car from the him last August and transferred the company to the dealer’s associate. The “shocked” director told the Herald he was unaware of the impersonation, and after repeated attempts to have his name removed from the Companies Office, is planning to give a statement to police.