SC Transport falls victim to false banker’s draft scam

SC Transport is calling for help in finding one of its trucks after the Darlington, County Durham, haulier was duped by fraudsters using a false banker's draft to buy one of its vehicles last week.

After seeing the Scania 6x2, 260 with Brimec body and 26t PM crane advertised for sale, a man claiming to be from a scaffolding firm in Edinburgh viewed the truck at SC Transport's premises. A price was agreed and the man said he would return with a banker's draft for the full amount later that day.

"Two men arrived to collect the wagon on Tuesday 26 August with a banker's draft. They seemed genuine," says SC Transport transport manager Michael Corner. "We sent the draft to our finance company but, as it was a bank holiday, it was the following Tuesday before we learnt it was a forgery."

Corner says the vehicle is distinctive as "we're the only ones with the grey and red livery, and the crane (serial number GA 211470) is one of only three in the UK.

If anyone spots the Scania, registration L400 SCT, please contact the police or MD Stephen Corner on 07710 566 298.

? In June, used truck dealer Trucks2Go also fell victim to a fraudulent banker's draft and tells CM it no longer accepts banker's drafts as a form of payment. MD Chris Hart says: "It's just as easy for a buyer to transfer money directly, so there's no need to accept banker's drafts."

? Have you experienced a banker's draft scam? Contact laura.hailstone@rbi.co.uk