Van dealership hit by £400,000 cybercrime attack

Hacker gains access to dealer's system before ordering £400,000 worth of cars from three suppliers in one day

Van dealership hit by £400,000 cybercrime attack
Jason Watkins, sales manager at M4 Van Centre.

A Wiltshire used van dealership has fallen vistim to hackers who used the firm’s details to order £400,000 worth of cars.

Around 40 cars had been ordered from three vehicle leasing firms in just one afternoon by someone who had obtained the company’s log-in for the online ordering system.

Swindon-based M4 Van Centre has said it had not paid for the fraudulently ordered vehicles but as a consequence had been blocked from placing any further orders with the three suppliers.

“Massive financial implications”

Jason Watkins, sales manager at M4 Van Centre, said: “It could have massive financial implications for a smaller business.

“Luckily, we’re in a good position and we can ride out the storm, but this could cripple a smaller business.

“We need to buy stock.

“These leasing companies won’t sell us stock because of this fraud.”

The dealership, which employs 38 staff, will typically buy 60 cars a month to sell on to customers.

Jason added: “When we were reporting this to the police it was kind of a joke.

“What I want is action from the police to get themselves into gear and help us out.

“This isn’t £10,000.

“This isn’t an eBay fraud. It’s £400,000. This is serious crime.”

Action Fraud

Responding, Wiltshire Police fraud manager Jon Lee said: “I have made contact with Action Fraud regarding this case and they have confirmed they have received the report made by Mr Watkins on the January 27, 2020.

“However, it has not yet been disseminated for further investigation at this stage. It is normal procedure that once a report is made to Action Fraud, it will be sent for assessment by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau.

“The NFIB’s systems assess reports of fraud and cybercrime from across the UK, helping to build a national picture of where fraud and cybercrime is taking place. Experts review the data from these reports to decide whether there is enough information to send to a police force for further investigation.

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