Criminals also use common sales platforms to place fraudulent lure offers. You can recognize a fraudulent offer by the communication and the request to transfer money to an escrow account, reports our cooperation partner Watchlist Internet .
Recognize fake advertisements: Top offers are usually fraudulent
Criminals advertise a vehicle on used car platforms. The car is cheaper compared to other offers. You are interested in the offer and contact the person. The sales conversation quickly turns into a private chat such as: B. WhatsApp misplaced. The salesperson is courteous, polite and seems uncomplicated. Above all, the vehicle is made more attractive to you by emphasizing its advantages and its good condition. You'll also receive lots of photos - a typical approach to building trust.
Seller abroad
After you have exchanged important information, you find out that the seller has moved abroad (for work). Sweden or Finland are often mentioned as their new home. Unfortunately, it is not possible to keep the car in the new home country as the costs for re-registration are very expensive. The person also gives reasons why the vehicle can only be sold in Austria or Germany. The seller would like to sell the vehicle as quickly as possible because of the move. Therefore the car is also offered cheaper.
Purchase processed through a fake escrow company
You cannot view the vehicle. Both the seller and the seller are located abroad. However, the person selling the item suggests that you use the service of an escrow company to complete the purchase. You pay the purchase price to the escrow company. This will deliver the car to you via a shipping company. You then have a few days to inspect and test the vehicle. The money will only go to the seller if you are satisfied with the car. If you don't want to keep the vehicle, the shipping company will take it back and you will receive the money back from the escrow company.
To make the procedure appear serious, the criminals also fake correspondence with the escrow company and the shipping company. You will receive documents that explain the procedure, contract agreements, invoices and documents about the car. Everything seems very professional and trustworthy.
But: The trust company and the shipping company do not exist. The criminals fake websites that appear legitimate. In reality, you are always communicating with the criminals. If you transfer, you will lose your money and not get a car.
list of fraudulent trucking companies here .
ID copies
To build trust, the fraudulent sellers send you a copy of your ID. However, these are fraudulent identification documents. In return, they will also request a copy of your ID. If you send these, criminals will steal your identity and use you to commit further fraud in your name.
Five features to recognize fraud when buying a car
- Vehicle is offered cheaper
- Sales conversation takes place on WhatsApp
- The seller is located abroad
- There will be no meeting or viewing
- The sale should be processed through an escrow account where you pay in advance
Have you been scammed?
- Contact your bank immediately. It may be possible to stop the transfer.
- Report it to the police.
Advice & Help
For specific advice requests, please contact the relevant offices that Watchlist Internet has listed for you Advice & Help
Source:
Watchlist Internet
This might also be of interest: Fraud and threats via messenger – police warn
If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:
📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.
Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!
* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

