Mileage got from mot history maybe? Possibly the garage he bought it from a couple of months ago? Young foreign student, ripe for some exploitation.
Or could be scammers who phone 50 randoms per day hoping one bites and have no intention of servicing the car.
I suggested he contacts the London based garage that supposedly serviced his car in Glasgow to see if they know anything about it.
Whatever, a young lad is severely out of pocket.