Beware of this Scam

[G&W]

Hi Everyone,

I thought it appropriate to relay what I've been sorting out this week regarding a scam that's going on in the private car sales arena of which I've become a sort of victim.

Some history:

As some may know, my Rav4 is for sale and is listed on a couple of websites (carsales.com.au & drive.com.au). The adverts consist of a detailed description of the Rav along with 4 photos taken by me and includes (as per law) the rego details.

What's Happened:

A potential buyer phoned me asking why my car was listed on one of the above sites at a certain price and also listed on the Trading Post website for under half of that price. Upon investigation, I discovered that my entire advert from one of the above sites has been copied (pics, description, rego details) and relisted against my knowledge on the Trading Post website. The contact phone number has been changed to what appears to be a fax number and there is a hotmail email address listed. When you contact them via email (due to the phone number not working) you get a response advising that the car is actually located in Rome (Italy) and that if you deposit $3000 into a yahoo finance account, the vehicle will be shipped to you out here at which time you will be billed for the balance. If some fool deposits the $$$ then doesn't get the car or a refund, guess who the cops come after first ? You guessed it, the owner of the vehicle - in this case me.

Action taken:

This has all been reported to the police along with copies of my adverts, copies of the fake advert and copies of the email. The RTA have also been contacted as these people could (with some fraud) change the rego into another name. There's now a block on rego transfer on my car unless I give full written consent and appear in person at the RTA. The Trading Post have pulled the advert off their website and advised me that this is not the first time this has happened and that their fraud people will also be investigating.

So, after a couple of very stressful days I just wanted to make you all aware of this sort of thing and how easy it is to unwillingly become part of some internet automotive scam.

Stay vigilant,

Gary.

[Wolfe]

wow thanks for that advice and good luck selling the rav.

[mozzy]

That was damn lucky, it was sorted before it all turned bad.
Good luck!!!!!

[MR EXTREME JEEP]

Thank you for the heads up. I am just about to put mums vk calais on drive.com. I will certainly stay vigilant.
But you have to ask, who in there right mind would pay a 3 grand deposit to have a rav sent over from Italy.....Some people part with there money too easily.
Thanks again...
OIIIIIIIO

[Wooders]

There's some scams out there for sure......
But just thinking about this - what did they use of yours - Rego number, vehicle description......heck that could apply for ANY photo of a vehicle....For sale or not....

[G&W]

Originally Posted by Wooders

There's some scams out there for sure......
But just thinking about this - what did they use of yours - Rego number, vehicle description......heck that could apply for ANY photo of a vehicle....For sale or not....

That's why I always blank out the number plates on any pics I put on the net. Unfortunately when selling a vehicle, the seller is are required to state the rego details which is why it can be easier for these a-holes to do this kinda stuff.

[Wooders]

But realistically I don't think there can be any recourse to you.
So the scam effects those silly enough to sent $3k overseas.....
I know that sounds cruel - but I mean from a sanity perspective - how could you gte blamed for it?