Opinion: Crooks and other scoundrels don't buy ships
YACHT
· 24.12.2022
Dear readers,
Boats of all types and sizes have one thing in common: they are all bought at some point and - at least in most cases - they are also sold at some point. In a modern world characterised by the internet, there are now numerous ways to do this, for example by advertising on online sales platforms, in social media or in trade magazines such as YACHT. Most of these ultimately lead to the desired success. So far, so good.
However, it is well known that these processes are often accompanied by unpleasant background noises. In other words: nasty scams. As a temporary boat seller - I would like to sell my now 105-year-old 45 National Cruiser - I have recently had to make relevant experiences myself. In addition to the normal and serious expressions of interest, I have also received highly dubious enquiries. And not exactly in small numbers.
This usually goes something like this: Someone from abroad answers the phone, always using only their first name and usually with a suppressed telephone number. In broken German, the supposed prospective buyer states that he wants to buy the boat immediately and the first thing he wants to know is how and where the deal can be finalised as quickly as possible. Questions about the boat, its condition or transport and handover are ignored.
For the average intelligent and not too naive salesperson, all the alarm sirens must be going off at the same time. Including me, of course. For the fun of it, I still get involved in conversations, for example with Antonio from Milan, whose real name is most likely a completely different one. I would like to know how he would like to be paid. He then makes me the following suggestion: I should bring the purchase price in euros, or even better in Swiss francs (I am Swiss), along with the boat to the handover in Italy. In cash, of course.
You read that correctly: As the seller, I should first bring money. Antonio, in turn, would then simply pay me double the purchase price, also in euros as cash, which is undoubtedly untaxed. I would then have the net purchase price for my boat in the bag, but would have to see how I could smoothly get the bundle of supposed black money across the border and out of the country. I push the money launderer away with the unencouraging idea that I already have one foot behind bars, while my beautiful classic is inevitably threatened with rotting away in some shabby car park in the middle of Italy.
The Antonio case is just one of many examples of attempted scams that I have received in connection with the sale of my boat. In the meantime, I should receive many more such calls. The scams are now well known and the methods are similar. Only the methods vary. The criminal energy of the callers is sometimes extremely strange, even bizarre.
For example, a gentleman with a Belgian mobile number and alleged residence in the Principality of Liechtenstein contacts me with an intention to buy. He pretends to be a recognised expert in the yacht trade and wants me to believe that I would sell my classic car for the advertised purchase price far below its real value anyway. In no time at all, he offers me no less than six times the purchase price. His suggestion is strange, but somehow understandable. After all, the higher the amount of money in the deal, the more efficient the potential money laundering - logical.
In return, he asks me to deliver my ship to his son's residence in the dwarf state of Andorra. Andorra lies in the middle of the Pyrenees and far away from any coherent body of water. At the end of the day, the absurdity of this can hardly be surpassed! I still have to laugh out loud today when I think about this process.
I've almost got used to the weird requests and crooked offers by now. However, I'm amazed at how many of them still come in. Perhaps you should shout at the relevant callers right at the beginning of the conversation:
How stupid do you think I am?"
On the other hand, I get a kick out of finding out what other crooked deals I might be confronted with. There's something exciting and perhaps even educational about that. I don't have to go into it.
By the way: Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to sell my beautiful classic. Serious enquiries are very welcome at any time.
Michael Good, Editor YACHT
In the big used boat special, powered by Pantaenius, you will now find all the important tips for selecting, viewing and buying used boats. And also how you can protect yourself from scams.
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