Farm scam victim sent from Scotland to Isle of Wight

Would-be buyers were paying huge sums for non-existent farm machinery, police said

A fraud victim travelled hundreds of miles across the UK to collect non-existent farm machinery after a fake purchase, police have said.

The would-be buyer from Scotland was sent to a real farm on the Isle of Wight, according to detectives.

A number of scam victims turned up at the oblivious farmer's property on the island between 19 and 21 January, according to detectives.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary warned buyers to beware of fake adverts on social media as well as in legitimate publications and magazines.

A force spokesman said: "It was reported that individuals had been turning up to a farm this month to collect machinery that they'd bought online.

"The farmer was clueless as to what they were talking about and it transpired the individuals had been scammed online."

The incidents emerged at a National Farmers Union meeting on the island and the machinery and sums of money involved were not known, police said.

Farmers were expected to report the details to the national Action Fraud service or to their home police forces.

Detectives said similar crimes, involving "huge sums" of money, were previously reported in 2023.

The spokesman said: "Often the addresses given to victims are those of real Isle of Wight farmers who have no knowledge of the scam and who are then left in a vulnerable situation in which they are confronted by confused, upset and disgruntled victims of crime."

The force advised threatened farmers to ring 999 immediately.

Police said farmers should view machinery in person and do background checks before handing over any money.