Herefordshire farmer loses £39,000 in machinery ad fraud

A Herefordshire farmer says he has lost £39,000 after he was caught out by a fraudulent machinery scam.

An advert purporting to be Braydestone Farms, which carried multiple used machines for sale, was featured in the farming press in October.

Farmer John Price spotted a Claas Lexion 570 combine being advertised for £76,500 and he phoned the seller and agreed a deal for £70,000, including VAT.

The potato, beef and sheep farmer, 68, was asked to send a deposit of £39,000 to secure the machine, despite not having viewed it.