The Dealer got excited the other day when, browsing online, he spotted some real machinery bargains for sale in Co Monaghan.
Examples were a 2012 four wheel drive John Deere tractor with loader for €7,100; a 2013 John Deere with loader for €8,800 and 2012 four wheel drive Massey Ferguson for €8,400.
However, it was only after spotting that the phone prefix was +353 76 that he copped on that this was an online scam. The prefix for Monaghan is 047 and there is no 076 prefix in Ireland.
Closer examination of the website (jsb-machinery.com) showed that not only were the prices too good to be true, but also the model numbers on the machines listed were wrong.
What’s really sinister is that the false website used the business name of a very reputable farmer and machinery dealer from Carrickmacross, John Breaden.
He is well regarded in the area for importing good used machinery from the UK and supplying it to local farmers, operating as JSB Machinery Ltd.
He told the Dealer he has been less active in recent years, because the strong sterling made UK machinery dear, but may resume now sterling has weakened.
The Dealer assures readers the fake website, complete with 076 prefix, is nothing to do with John.
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