Sorry to hear about your experience.
Do you have a better description of the van at all, maybe even a year of the reg? Just to I can pass it on to the other half to look out for.

Amazing what lengths people will go to to extort money from people.
Glad you stood your ground.
Word of advice to anyone experiencing such a thing, and getting intimidated by it.... Take the person up on the suggestion and call the police, this person needs stopping, as does anyone trying this.

Once again, glad you are ok Merlin.