Brooklands Automotive (UK) Specialist Cars Bristol LtdMark Jones Company claims to be selling cars but once you send money to them, that's it, they won't send you the car or refund. They are online scammers Bristol (UK) Internet
Online car shoppers in UK be warned. The company Brooklands Automotive which also trades as Specialist Cars Bristol Ltd whose ownership is associated with Mr Mark Jones of Telephone +44 7766 501960, email brooklandsautomotive@gmail.com is a scam. These guys also trade in the reputable auto site autotrader.co.uk where they advertise their cars.
In May 2013, i identified a car on their site http://www.brooklandsautomotive.co.uk/, a Mercedes Benz C180 Estate Reg KN56 HBE. I gave them a call, we negotiated on the price and agreed after they confirmed that the car was still available. On June 18, 2013, I paid a sum of GBP 6410 to their Natwest Bank account No. 8951004 which included purchase price, shipment and marine insurance up to the port of Mombasa (Kenya).
Three days later, I asked for confirmation of receipt of cash from Mr Mark Jones and he said it had not gone through yet. Slightly over a week later there was still no confirmation from him or his associates. I went to my bank and asked them to do a money tracer which they promptly did after i explained my predicarment.
The tracing was done by Citi Bank UK and it was confirmed that the transaction went through on June 19, 2013. I sent a scan copy of the tracing results to Mr Mark and he did not even acknowledge. He could not take my calls any more or even answer to my emails. I left numerous voice mail
Finally Mr Mark contacted me asking for a long list of things claiming that he had been asked by his bank to verify the source of the money. I sent him all the documents he asked for including copy of my passport, national ID, trading licence, PIN ... etc and then he went quiet again. He could not write emails nor answer phone calls.
I made a comprehensive report on Action Fraud UK and the CRN is NFRC130700312743. In mid July 2013, i made another report to the Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the issue was recorded.
The police were able to trace him and he acknowledged receiving the money but claimed he was not sure where the money had come from (and i was like, What the heck!). Well, the big surprise is that Mr Mark Jones did not know where the money came from even after exchanging tons of emails on the transaction. That was a joke of a lifetime.
I understand that due to the fact that he acknowledged having received the money, the police classified the case under civil jurisdiction (which is less serious). Mr Mark was compelled by police to pay the money and on Sep 5, 2013, they refunded GBP 2800 out of the 6410 i sent. I am still waiting for a full refund 4 months down the line.
I have maintained contact with the police but it seems to be taking forever before i can get a full refund. I am 101% sure that that if i did not involve the police, Brooklands Automotive AKA Specialist Cars Bristol Ltd AKA Mark Jones would have ran away with my money.
These people are pure thieves who have greatly inconvenienced a genuine car buyer and i would not like anyone to go through through what i have gone through. Besides, they are tannishing the name of autotrader.co.uk which is a reputable and professional auto site. That is why i am exposing them here. I hope the police are able to hold them culpable and bring justice upon them.