A new scam with ads for used cars has appeared on the Internet. Dozens of Bulgarians, left empty-handed after ordering a car from sham online retailers, signaled for the scheme. There are more and more complaints of victims to the institutions. How does the scheme work – check Georgi Georgiev in the section “On your side”.
Most often, the victims are attracted by ads for used cars at attractive prices, supplied from the main markets – Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. To receive cars, buyers had to pay half or all of the amount or shipping costs in advance. On the day of delivery, however – the car does not arrive, and contact with the dealer is no longer possible.
The attractive offer on a Spanish second-hand car sales site includes a woman we will call Nevena.
“It’s about cars that are in the EU. There were those with Spanish, Dutch registration, and the company itself was from Spain, “she said.
Nevena focuses on an offer for a car with a mileage of 60,000 km, manufactured 4 years ago. The price for these parameters was quite tempting, which at first made her doubtful.
“They explained that the cars were confiscated from the bank and that is why they are so cheap. In addition, the cars were put up for auction, but now there is an option to sell them at the moment, because the auctions were stopped due to COVID-19 “, the woman said.
However, he researched the merchant listed on the site. “We saw that this company has been registered for 7-8 years. Then I asked a friend of mine who is in Spain to call them. He talked to them and everything they told him was the same as what they had written to me in their email communication, “the woman explained.
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That’s why he undoubtedly decided to order. According to the rules on the site, as the price is below 10,000 euros, you must send the full amount for the car in advance. And before that he receives all the necessary documents for the deal.
“They send me a contract, a proforma invoice. It describes everything about terms, guarantees, etc. I was even sent a truck number, a delivery company. It just seemed very real and real, “said Nevena.
After a few days in the specified date and time of delivery, described in the contract, he receives a message from the company that there is a problem and the car will not be delivered on time.
“I received an email explaining that the car had broken down, which did not make me suspicious, because they contacted me immediately, but the next day – the car did not come and from there the communication stopped,” the woman explained.
This is how Nevena understands that she has become a victim of fraud. And after she transferred 6,640 euros for the car and another 430 euros for the transfer, she is left empty-handed.
In recent days, signals from victims of the scheme have reached the European Consumer Center. The ads are published on large platforms with ads for the sale of cars or on phantom sites, it is clear from the complaints of the victims.
At first glance, the documents that the alleged traders send to the buyers look neat. However, the deception often lies in the details, experts reveal. And instead of a company, contracts are made with individuals.
How to recognize fraudulent ads – watch the video.
We look forward to your alerts and suggestions on email topics and Facebook page of the section “On your side”.
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