Urgent Scam Warning from the Traction Owners Club

Published: 28/07/2021

The Traction Owners Club advise that a number of "Wanted" ads (for parts, not vehicles) published in the Club magazine, Floating Power, have generated replies which are undoubtedly some form of scam.

A number of ads have been answered by either HENRY CRIDDLE (henrycriddle2@gmail.com) or NICOLAS BURWELL (nicolasburwell78@gmail.com). They both claim to have a suitable vehicle for the parts in question which, "for health reasons", is being broken for spares and a poor-quality picture of a vehicle is often included. Having declined Mr Criddle's parts as too expensive, one member then received a message from Mr Burwell. His tale of ill health – and the picture of the car he claimed to be breaking - were identical to those received earlier from Mr Criddle.

In reply to another Traction Owners Club (TOC) member, Mr Criddle offered an address in Scotland which we now know is fictitious and Mr Burwell claimed to be located in Wales – both (conveniently?) too far away from the member's home for simple personal collection or delivery. Although this may just be a straightforward attempt to elicit payment and not then supply the goods, several TOC members have also reported strong attempts to determine their full postal address and that could have much more worrying consequences, such as possible vehicle theft.

A Google search on the name Henry Criddle found a warning on the Wolseley Owners forum from somebody who had experienced a similar response to a parts wanted advert, so it is not just the TOC being targeted and all clubs need to make their members aware of this situation.