You do know that Caterpillar Forklifts and Mitsubishi Lift Trucks have a bit different serial numbers series, and that could have been a "first clue".
Just like in most businesses (and every other place in life) there are good honest people that sell wholesale and there are are people that don't care about anyone other than themselves.
I apologize on behalf of the honest forklift wholesalers/resellers that you found one who was not.
I have recently come to an observation about the forklift wholesale industry, (and those who fit into this shoe will most likely not like me saying this) that those who call themselves "brokers" have less 'skin in the game' than the wholesalers who -purchase- the trucks they resell.
I would also note and warn everyone that (about 2007 or 2008) in at least some of the tier 2 trucks, MCFA had a recall of the dash (where the hour meter reading is stored) that may have resulted in a lot of trucks showing a lot less than actual hours on the meter.