Buyers warned of “fraudulent” machinery sales website


Those looking for factory machinery and tractors are advised to exercise caution due to a website claiming to be a machinery supplier, but using the name and contact details of another legitimate dealer.

The website is called ‘McGee Machinery’, with the internet address ‘mcgee-mf.com’.

This website is unrelated to McGee Farm Machinery, based in Dunleer, Co. Louth – with operations in Northern Ireland – despite the “company” behind the website using the same details, VAT number and VAT number. company registration as the Louth based company.

McGee Farm Machinery included a disclaimer on its website homepage and social media channels saying, “It has come to our attention that the following website [mcgee-mf.com] use everything [our] details, VAT number and company registration number; and also our name.

“Please use caution if you come across this site as it is fraudulent and is not related to McGee Farm Machinery Ltd or McGee Farm Machinery NI Ltd,” the notice adds.

Currently, a Google search for “McGee Farm Machinery NI” brings up a map of Newry, County Down, showing the address of the real company’s office in Northern Ireland.

However, when you click on the option to go to the company’s website, you end up on the “wrong” website. McGee Farm Machinery does not have a separate website for its Northern Ireland office.

Talk to AgrilandMcGee Farm Machinery’s Kevin McGee explained that he first noticed this other website several weeks ago, but over the past few days has received phone calls from people asking him when their machines are were going to happen, having dealt with the wrong website. .

According to Kevin, at least € 100,000 in transactions have been made on this website, although he believes the actual figure is higher.

He explained that the individuals behind the “bogus” site claim to be selling machines at significantly reduced prices. He claims to have seen on this website a tractor worth at least € 50,000 offered for half that figure.

The website includes delivery / transportation in its cost and asks for half of the payment in advance. For example, the machine valued at € 50,000 “for real” is priced at € 25,000, with people paying € 12,500 up front. They are told that they can pay the balance after taking delivery of the machine.

According to Kevin, there is no machine to deliver and the buyer is $ 12,500 out of pocket.

The website, instead of using “in-store” or official photos of the machines, appears to use generic photos taken from the web. Indeed, many photos, on closer inspection, do not seem to have been taken on the island of Ireland.

Kevin says he alerted the Gardaí here, as well as the Northern Ireland Police Service (PSNI), to the issue.