1st UK Car Rentals Car Rental Fraud ripoff This company is perpetuating an internet fraud. London England

In August of 2003 I made a reservation for a rental car through 123 autorentals of Tampa Florida and paid 289.80 pounds through my credit card.

123autorentals acted as agents for 1st UK Car Rentals of London. The car was to be picked up at Gatwick airport in September 2003.

On 9 September 2003 I received an e-mail from 1st UK Car Rentals informing me that they were having customer service problems with their current supplier and that they had placed my booking with Europcar. I was further advised that I would have to pay Eurocar for the rental and that 1st UK Car Rentals would be arranging for a full refund to my credit card within the next 28 days.
I duly collected my car from Europcar and paid the full rental cost to them.

However no refund appeared within the 28 days nor has it been received to this date ( June 2004 ).

I have sent repeated e-mails to te firm but have not received a reply.

I tried phoning but they hide behind a satelite phone and I have never had anyone respond.

It is obvious that this company is perpetuating an internet fraud and I wonder whether it actually exists.
It looked like a good deal and I have been conned out of 289 pounds.

I enter this report in the hope that it may prevent others from trusting this company.

John
North Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada