This is one of the most common frauds when purchasing a used car. A fraudster lists the car at an attractive price. The sale is handled by an intermediary company operating abroad. All you have to do is pay a deposit and wait for the car. You will lose your money – and you will never see the car.
Most people buying used cars use online classified sites. These sites are definitely the most convenient way to find used car listings. It is no surprise that tens of thousands of people and companies (dealers, car importers, new car dealers who also sell used cars, etc.) use them. Unfortunately, scammers can also appear on classified sites. The following scam has happened many times – and, unfortunately, it still does.
A beautiful Mercedes from abroad at a very attractive price – this might be an attempted fraud!
Buying a used car remotely is a service that involves a lot of risk!
Thousands of people work remotely. Millions handle banking and official matters remotely. Millions shop online and on shopping platforms. It is no surprise that the possibility of buying a car remotely has also emerged. Most new car importers have created so-called virtual showrooms on their websites. You can view the selected car model from every angle, find out about its technical specifications and order online consultation with an advisor. Remote purchase of a new car from a dealership is not risky. If someone prefers this purchase method – why not.
The remote car selling method is now also offered by used car sellers, especially car importers from abroad. In this case, the buyer usually has to pay a deposit for the chosen car in advance. Sometimes – the entire amount. This is a risky method, but most companies are honest. They have simply adapted their offer to market demands.
Our advice: the safest way is to buy a car that is already physically in your country. Such a car can be easily verified using our Crash Status service and then with the help of car experts.
The possibility of selling cars remotely has not escaped the attention of scammers.
A well-maintained DS4 at a very attractive price – pay half the price and a specialized company will deliver it to your home!
What does a typical fraudulent remote car sale look like?
A classified ad appears on one of the websites for selling used cars. Typically, the description states that the car is in excellent technical condition. It has a great visual appearance, as highlighted by professionally taken photos. Moreover, the price is very attractive.
Who lists the car?
• A company that deals with importing vehicles from abroad. Typically, it has an English-sounding name, a website with a series of reviews (everything can be easily fabricated) and an address located in a European city. Scammers typically choose office buildings where several companies operate and then give their address as their company’s operating location.
• A private individual. A foreigner who never speaks the local language.
• An existing company – for example, a dealership in Europe or in the USA. Sometimes scammers hack into sellers’ websites or (more easily) copy information from their ads.
How does the scam work?
• After contacting the seller, you will receive all the information about the car. The seller will confirm that the car is in excellent technical condition, send additional photos and provide the VIN number.
• Most often, scammers find another car of the same make and year to give you its VIN number. They may also copy the ad from another portal, stealing the car’s photos and details, including the VIN number.
• The seller will inform you that the car will be delivered to your doorstep by a specialized company. The seller assures you that you will receive a full set of documents with the car and if you don’t like the car or discover any defects, you will be able to return it at the company’s expense within 7 or even 14 days.
• All you have to do is transfer the money to the seller’s or the transport company’s account. In the latter case, it could be an amount from several hundred to 2000 Euros (to pay for the car’s transport and insurance). However, the scammer will be more interested in you paying more, for example, half the car’s value. Or the full amount.
What happens next? When you transfer the money and it is registered on the seller’s account, you may receive transport documents indicating that you will receive the car in 7 or 14 days (just to reassure you and elongate the process).
Of course, you will not receive any car. You will not see your money again. And the scammer’s contact email address will disappear.
Buy a used car that is already in the country!
This is the safest solution. Even if you hire someone to import a car for you, you never know what car they will bring you.
Therefore:
• Choose only cars that are physically in the country.
• Check them online – completely free using their VIN via the Crash Status website.
• Then hire car experts to check the car, or meet the seller in your city and go to a workshop and Diagnostic Station of your choice. Never buy a car remotely that you have not seen yourself, or one that has not been inspected by a car expert hired by you!
