The Malawi High Commission to the United Kingdom (UK) has warned Malawians to wishing to buy vehicles from UK and Republic of Ireland through online traders to tread with care, saying most of them are bogus.

The warning follows several complaints the Embassy has received from Malawians to trace traders whom they have already paid money to for trucks or other type of vehicles, yet not delivered.

According to the statement, in many instances the dealers disappear as soon as they receive full payment.

“The scams include newly registered websites that expire as soon as they con a group of people, toll free numbers or mobile numbers without a registered address. To attract customers, they offer rock bottom prices for vehicles including shipping costs. Such sites are expected to raise alarm to would be buyers.

“Whilst the High Commission has been able to assist, in some cases, tracking the fraudsters and seeking relief from UK authorities, the most proactive way of addressing the matter would be: any Malawian buyer wishing to purchase goods or services from a website or dealers they do not know or have never transacted with, to verify the legitimacy and physical presence of the dealer, or requesting the Mission to assist with due diligence,” reads in part the statement.

Meanwhile the Commission has promised to assist Malawians to verify any website or dealer existence in the UK before entering into any financial transactions.