FAKE APP THIEF NICKS £14K BMW
Couple devastated as conman takes car in doorstep scam
A COUPLE have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after a car thief used a fake banking app to steal a BMW in a sophisticated doorstep scam.
Greg and Lois Murphy were duped by the fraudster into believing he had paid cash into their bank while he collected a BMW coupe from their home.
Now the pair, from the Dyce area of Aberdeen, have spoken out so others don’t fall victim.
Lois said: “If you are selling a car online, please check the money has arrived before giving away your car.
“It’s disgusting that people can prey on others with no remorse.”
Greg, an engineer, had advertised his car for sale on Facebook Marketplace and was contacted by the conman, who used a fake name. Posing as an interested buyer, the fraudster met Greg at Dyce train station on April 9 and visited the couple’s home for a test drive.
He agreed to purchase the luxury coupe for £14,250 and used a fake Lloyds banking app to dupe the couple into believing he had transferred the cash.
Greg, 31, even received a text to confirm the payment – which claimed it “may take two hours to clear”. The brazen thief remained in contact with the couple for two days, promising the missing cash had been sent.
Lois and Greg were left gutted after their bank confirmed the transaction did not exist.
Lois, 31, who is seven months pregnant, told the Record: “He used an app that looked like a normal Lloyds banking app on his phone. “He showed us a bank transfer confirmation and my husband received a text to say the money would be in our bank in two hours. He even offered to get a bite to eat at a nearby pub. “He is very good at what he does. We had his details, so we handed over the keys.” After realising what had happened to them, Lois said: “My heart just sank. We knew we had been scammed. “We contacted the police who told us we weren’t the first. It turned out all of his information was fake – and so was the bank transfer. “Greg wasn’t keen to let him leave until the money arrived but the guy was so brazen. We had planned to use the money to pay for things we need for our baby but we’ve been left with nothing. We are devastated.”
Lois added: “Our insurance provider won’t pay out because Greg handed over the keys.”
After posting their ordeal on social media, the couple were contacted by four other victims.
Lois, who works as a mortgage adviser, said they were later able to identify the man from a doorbell camera image taken in Stirling, where a Mustang was stolen in December.
It is understood the serial thief – who spoke with a Fife accent – has pinched a fleet of luxury vehicles across Scotland.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Inquiries are ongoing.”
Lloyds Bank told the Record: “This problem isn’t unique to us. Never hand over an item until you can see the money has cleared in your own account.”
All of his information was fake, and so was the bank transfer
CAR THEFT VICTIM LOIS MURPHY