Scam Prevention
Highland hoax location scams
We want to help tackle the emerging problem of e-crime scams that use fictitious Highland addresses that may damage our reputation as a place to visit or to do business.
The Highlands of Scotland is a very large geographical area. However, it has a relatively small population and on occasion scammers take advantage of these characteristics by trying to hide their true location or by misleadingly associating themselves with reputable Highland commerce. They do this by dishonestly claiming they are located or have links to the Highlands of Scotland. We refer to these deceptions as 'Highland hoax location scams'.
Reported scams
We have identified the following 'hoax location scams'. Do not enter into contracts with the following concerns or contact them.
Sunwave Holidays
- Name of website or username - www.sunwave-holidays.com
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of holiday accommodation online
- Method of operation - Advertise self-catering holiday accommodation on website and on Airbnb. All communication by email and payment only by bank transfer
- Known identities and markers - Sunwave Holidays, website: www.sunwave-holidays.com, email: bookings@sunwave-holidays.com which are signed off as from Adina PAWEL, Sales Manager. Provides contact details of Inneswick Ltd, 4 Hill Avenue, Wick, Caithness, KW1 4DW Company Number SC138565
- False Highland links - Claims that the business is based in Wick and is a registered company. The registered company name Inneswick Ltd and registered office address have been used by Sunwave Holidays without permission and has no association with the genuine business
Jayden Butler, Wood End, North Kessock IV1 3ZD
- Name of website or username - Facebook.com username Golden-Retriever-for-Rehoming-and-Adoption [user id 117286816855516]
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of Golden Retriever puppies on Facebook
- Method of operation - Advertises puppies available for adoption on Facebook page. When contacted via Facebook messenger establishes the location of potential buyer before disclosing own location. Requests personal contact information such as name, address, email, telephone number, marital status and number of children in household which it is claimed is required for the adoption form. Provides pictures of various puppies and requires £350 in order to reserve
- Known identities and markers - Jayden Butler, jaydenbutler001@yahoo.com. Provides contact details of Wood End, North Kessock IV1 3ZD. Claims puppies are bred at this site and that collections take place at Longman, Inverness
- False Highland links - Claims that is based in Inverness and North Kessock. Used the address belonging to Munlochy Animal Aid without permission and has no association with the animal shelter. Munlochy Animal Aid ( a registered Scottish Charity) do not sell or breed animals and do not work on behalf of breeders
Daniel Kalinik or Daniel Liuvacik, Lindsay Place, Wick, KW1 4PF
- Name of website or username - Various online classified sites
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of vehicle via online classified advertisements on eBay
- Method of operation - Advertised vehicles for sale in various locations throughout the UK and informs potential buyers on contact that now resides in Scotland due to work commitments. Makes appointments to view vehicle(s) advertised for sale online at address given, only for potential buyers to find out vehicle and seller not located at the address. Unknown if up-front payments have been taken
- Known identities and markers - Daniel Kalinik or Daniel Liuvacik, Lindsay Place, Wick, KW1 4PF email: daniel@itv-be.co.uk and/or daniel624@itv-be.co.uk
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller resides in Wick, KW1 4PF. No business or seller with these details in this area
Kevin TAYLOR, Dell Road, Inverness, IV2 4UD
- Name of website or username - eBay user ID church2007.123
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of caravan via online classified advertisements on eBay
- Method of operation - Claim caravan being advertised on behalf of parents. Takes up-front payments using bogus secure payment system, actually seeks payment by bank transfer. In response to enquiries by potential buyers, will voluntarily email with an alleged copy of passport. Following payment, no caravan delivered and communication ceases
- Known identities and markers - Kevin Taylor, Dell Road, Inverness, IV2 4UD email: taylor.kevin622@gmail.com and taylor.kev19@outlook.com
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller resides in Inverness, IV2 4UD. No business or seller with these details in this area
Nathan Edgar WRIGHT, Dell Road, Inverness, IV2 4UD
- Name of website or username - Online classified advertisements
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of campervan/motorhome via online classified advertisements on eBay
- Method of operation - Claim caravan being advertised on behalf of father. Offers to take payment using bogus secure payment system. In response to enquiries by potential buyers, will voluntarily email with an alleged copy of passport and V5
- Known identities and markers - Nathan Edgar Wright, Dell Road, Inverness, IV2 4UD email: nathan.ewright5@outlook.com
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller resides in Inverness, IV2 4UD. No business or seller with these details in this area
eBay user ID dws133
- Name of website or username - eBay user ID dws133
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of electrical goods on eBay
- Method of operation - Advertise domestic electrical goods for sale with free delivery. No PayPal accepted
- Known identities and markers - eBay user ID dws133. Provides contact details of ILM Highland, Unit 1G Teanninich Industrial Estate, Alness, IV170XS
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller has a business outlet in Alness. Used the business name and address without permission and has no association with the genuine business who does not sell on the eBay platform. Note the misspelling of Teaninich in the address used with an extra n
Davide ALKER, 12 Argyle Street, Ullapool, IV26 2UB
- Name of website or username - Various online classified sites
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of vehicle via online classified advertisements on eBay
- Method of operation - Takes up-front payments using bogus eBay Purchase Protection Program secure payment system for vehicles advertised using online classified advertisements. Payments actually taken by bank transfer in a different name and therefore not protected. Offers to deliver vehicles to purchasers who discover that vehicles are not delivered and communication ceases
- Known identities and markers - Davide ALKER, Argyle Street, Ullapool, IV26 2UB email: davide@virgineu.co.uk mobile number 07441911335
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller resides in Ullapool, IV26 2UB. No seller with these details in this area
Rovis Escrow Car Sales, Inverness
- Name of website or username - rovis-escrow.co.uk and Various online classified sites
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of vehicles via online classified advertisements
- Method of operation - Agree to sell and deliver vehicle(s) advertised for sale online. Up-front payments have been taken
- Known identities and markers - Rovis Escrow Car Sales. Fake automobile FORUM sites have been created to give the impression that the seller is legitimate
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller has a business outlet in Inverness. No business or seller with these details in this area
Altory Trading Group, Inverness
- Name of website or username - Altory.co.uk and Various online classified sites
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of vehicles via online classified advertisements
- Method of operation - Agree to sell and deliver vehicle(s) advertised for sale online. Up-front payments have been taken
- Known identities and markers - Altory Trading Group. Fake automobile FORUM sites have been created to give the impression that the seller is legitimate
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller has a business outlet in Inverness. No business or seller with these details in this area
IverPak Consignments Group, Inverness
- Name of website or username - Various online classified sites
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of vehicles via online classified advertisements
- Method of operation - Agree to sell and deliver vehicle(s) advertised for sale online. Up-front payments have been taken
- Known identities and markers - IverPak Consignments Group. Fake automobile forum sites have been created to give the impression that the seller is legitimate
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller has a business outlet in Inverness. No business or seller with these details in this area
Daniel STOLAK, Castletown, Thurso, KW14 8TY
- Name of website or username - Various online classified sites
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of vehicles via online classified advertisements on Gumtree and eBay
- Method of operation - Makes appointments to view vehicle(s) advertised for sale online, at address given only for potential buyers to find out vehicle and seller not located at the address. Unknown if up-front payments have been taken
- Known identities and markers - Daniel STOLAK, Castletown, Thurso, KW14 8TY email: daniel@bbc-4.co.uk
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller resides in Castletown, Thurso, KW14 8TY. No business or seller with these details in this area
Luka Daniel MODRIC or Daniel MODRIC, Castletown, Thurso, KW14 8TY
- Name of website or username - Various online classified sites
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of vehicles via online classified advertisements on Gumtree and eBay
- Method of operation:
- Takes up-front payments using bogus secure payment system for vehicles advertised using online classified advertisements
- Makes appointments to view vehicle(s) advertised for sale online, at address given only for potential buyers to find out vehicle and seller not located at the address
- Also offers to deliver vehicles to purchasers who discover that vehicles are not delivered and communication ceases
- In response to enquiries by potential buyers, will email with an alleged copy of the vehicle V5C (logbook) overlaid with MODRIC's alleged passport and driving licence. Has also been know to supply an alleged copy of an MOT certificate for the vehicle which has false details as to the MOT testing station
- Known identities and markers - Luca Daniel MODRIC or Daniel MODRIC, Castletown, Thurso, KW14 8TY email: daniel@cctv-live.co.uk and daniel@itv-hd.co.uk
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller resides in Castletown, Thurso, KW14 8TY. No business or seller with these details in this area
Daniel NOVACK, address in the Ormlie area, Thurso, KW14 7EJ
- Name of website or username - Various online classified sites
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of vehicles via online classified advertisements on Gumtree and eBay
- Method of operation - Takes up-front payments using bogus secure payment system for vehicles advertised using online classified advertisements. Also known to make appointment to view vehicle(s) at address given only for potential buyers to find out vehicle and seller not located at the address
- Known identities and markers - Daniel Novack, Ormlie area of Thurso, KW14 7EJ
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller resides in the Ormlie area of Thurso, KW14 7EJ. No business or seller with these details in this area
42 Urquhart Road, Dingwall IV15 9PE
- Name of website or username - Various online classified/Auction sites, in particular eBay
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of non-existent DIY/construction equipment via online classified advertisements/auctions including eBay
- Method of operation - Takes up-front payments using bank transfer for DIY/construction equipment advertised using online classified/auction platforms including eBay. The operator provides an address of 42 Urquhart Road, Dingwall IV15 9PE
- Known identities and markers - 42 Urquhart Road, Dingwall IV15 9PE or sometimes just Urquhart Road
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller resides at 42 Urquhart Road, Dingwall. Urquhart Road is a real street but number 42 doesn't exist
Bruno Manfrin , Inverness
- Name of website or username - Various online classified sites
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of vehicles via online classified advertisements on Gumtree
- Method of operation - Take up-front payments using bogus secure payment system for vehicles advertised using online classified advertisements. In some cases additional payment is requested for an 'overpayment' insurance. The operator provides an address in Inverness but a telephone number from the Glasgow area
- Known identities and markers - Bruno Manfrin, Crown Drive, Inverness 01416289661, brunomanfrin11@gmail.com
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller resides in the Crown Drive area of the city of Inverness. There is no business with these details in this area
Crosshill Autos, Brown Place, Wick
- Name of website or username - www.crosshillautos.co.uk
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of vehicles via online classified advertisements such as eBay
- Method of operation - Take up-front payments using bogus secure payment systems for non-existent vehicles advertised using online classified advertisements. The scammers have randomly picked a street address in the town of Wick in the North of Scotland
- Known identities and markers - Phone: 01955 472425, sales@crosshillautos.co.uk, 07438932307
- False Highland links - There is no business in Wick with this name
12 Oldwick Road, Wick - seller address used in 'classified ad' scams
- Name of website or username - Various online classified sites
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of vehicles via online classified advertisements such as Gumtree
- Method of operation - Take up-front payments using bogus secure payment systems for non-existent vehicles advertised using online classified advertisements. The scammers have randomly picked an address in the town of Wick in the North of Scotland. The genuine owner of this property has no connection to this scam
- Known identities and markers - Thomas Bucker, Thomas Bücker, Klaus Meuer, Paul Muller, Franco Salvato, thomasbucker60@gmail.com, thomasbucker61@gmail.com francoslv75@gmail.com
- False Highland links - Claims that the seller is based in the town of Wick in the North of Scotland. No such seller exists at this address
Highland Commercial
- Name of website or username - www.highlandcommercials.com, www.highlands-commercial.co.uk and www.highlandcommercial.co.uk (currently offline)
- Scam type - Fraudulent sale of vehicles via eBay
- Method of operation - Take up-front payments for non-existent vehicles advertised using eBay classified advertisements
- Known identities and markers - Highland Commercial Vehicles Ltd, 22 Bank Street, Inverness
- 0141 2090062
- False Highland links - Claim that their business is registered and operated from premises in Bank Street, Inverness. No such business exists
Larnu
- Name of website or username - www.larnu.co.uk
- Scam type - Selling counterfeit clothing
- Method of operation - Sell fake country-wear. The company does not give a trading address but it is believed the fake clothes are produced and dispatched to the UK from China or Hong Kong. The website has an unsecure payment processing system that could lead to fraudulent use of bank accounts
- Known identities and markers - www.larnu.co.uk
- False Highland links - WHOIS information is falsely implying that the website is operated from Drumbeg, in North-west Sutherland
Skimoar
- Name of website or username - www.skimoar.com (currently offline)
- Scam type - Fraudulent ski accommodation booking agent
- Method of operation - Take up-front payments for ski accommodation in Europe
- Known identities and markers - Aultbea, Skimoar, booking@skimoar.com, phone 0208 1239948
- False Highland links - Claim that their business is registered and operated from premises in Aultbea
Victims of fraud
If you believe you have become the victim of fraud and you live in Scotland please report the matter to Police Scotland on 101.
Further information can be found on Police Scotland.
If you live elsewhere in the UK contact Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud and internet crime reporting centre. They provide a central point of contact for information about fraud and financially motivated internet crime. Action fraud's A-Z of fraud provides further information about the different types of fraud and how to avoid becoming a victim.