Help! The broker cheated me. What can I do?

[Meridien]

Hi! I have bought a boat through the internet, and just received it. I have to realise that the broker did not tell me the truth, and cheated me several ways. I did not received the docs (certificate of origin, or title) with the boat, so I can not register. The broker did not answer my complaining mails. What can I do? Pls advice!

 

[mkuehnl]

Re: Help! The broker cheated me. What can I do?

Hard to say considering you are located in Europe.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Help! The broker cheated me. What can I do?

Check with ebay. They may have a mechanism to deal with situations like this. Additionally you did not say whether you were dealing within your own country or not. I know that Europe is one big happy family now so maybe the EU has some redundant beauracracy to deal with cross old borders scam artists.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Help! The broker cheated me. What can I do?

We will need way more info to make suggestions.Charlie

 

[Lark40]

Re: Help! The broker cheated me. What can I do?

I think all governments have some process where you can prove ownership and get legal title to cars, boats, etc. that you possess.<br /><br />This may be complicated and involve a lot of paperwork, as you have to prove where the boat came from and that is not stolen, taxes were paid, and so on. <br /><br />Check with your boat registration ministry or local court clerks to learn what the process is.

 

[Meridien]

Re: Help! The broker cheated me. What can I do?

Thanks for the advices. I have forgotten to mention, that I bought the boat in Florida and shipped to Europe. I ve checked with the Florida registration office, and it seems that the vessel is still titled in Fl, furthermore there are problems with the registration number aswell, because according to the office data, the boat has to be much more older. So I am a bit afraid, that a stolen boat with false reg no. was sold to me.

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Help! The broker cheated me. What can I do?

Meridien,<br /><br />I think that you have hit the point where you need to retain a lawyer that specializes in maritime law. I tried to do a search on Switchboard but they don't list maritime lawyers. They do list consumer lawyers which might work in your case. Contract law is another area to search. Maybe do a search for "Miami Maritime Law" in Google and see what you get. My guess is that there is no way you will be able to resolve this from another continent. You will need a local representitive.<br /><br />Good Luck and keep us posted.