Wow !! 

Its a good thing you had that info about the "UK company database" - Personally, I would just have gone with a hunch cos I wasnt aware of the UK listings 

By hunch if I am not sure about something, even in the slightest, I dont proceed to make payments,,, I look for tell-tale of fakeness on the whole operations i.e from website, emails, accounts, the way they handle their clients etc..

A legit company wouldnt beg you to buy , more so via chat - this con "manager"  seems to have a lot of time on his hand .. He is obviously working from home with his left hand in his trousers (or in a very idle company where he uses free office internet to run a business on the side)..