Minus Hundreds of Thousands for 'Used Car': How You're Scammed on OLX and Co

Buying a car is a serious step that requires attention and awareness. However, recently there has been an increase in fraud in this area. Scammers use various schemes to extort money from gullible buyers, and ignorance of the nuances of the car market leads to many unpleasant situations.

Fraud in Car Sales

There are many scammers in the car market trying to sell problematic cars. The main fraud schemes include:

1. Rolled-back mileage. One of the most common tricks. Scammers reduce the mileage to pass off an old car as low-mileage. For example, mileage may be reduced by 50–100 thousand km, making the purchase unprofitable. Such fraud can be detected by checking the technical condition of the car and comparing it with real indicators.
2. Damaged and restored cars. Sometimes after serious accidents, cars are restored without notifying the future owner. Externally, the car may look perfect, but hidden defects may appear shortly after purchase, leading to significant repair costs.
3. Sale of credit or pledged cars. Such cars may be repossessed by the bank, and the new owner eventually loses their purchase. Before closing the deal, it's worth ensuring the legal cleanliness of the car.
4. Checking the technical condition and legal cleanliness of the car is a mandatory step before purchase.

Scams on Car Sites

Frauds on car sites are another common type of scam. There are several main fraud schemes:

1. Fake ads. Scammers post ads with attractive prices and demand prepayment, then disappear. It's important to verify the seller's information and not send money before closing the deal.
2. Fake intermediaries. Pseudo-dealers may offer to arrange a car with a discount but require prepayment. After some time, it turns out that such companies do not exist, and the buyer is left with nothing.
3. Test drive fraud. A potential buyer is invited to a meeting, but under various pretexts, they may have their money or documents taken. It's important to always meet in public places and avoid trusting strangers.
4. It is recommended to personally inspect the car during the transaction, avoiding prepayment.

Counterfeit Car Documents

Fake documents are one way to hide car problems. Common counterfeits include:

1. Fake vehicle passport (PTS). Scammers use duplicate documents to hide the real history of the car. Checking the documents for compliance with real data will help detect fraud.
2. Altered data. The documents may indicate the wrong year of manufacture or number of owners. This can also be checked through databases that provide such information.
3. Sale by fake power of attorney. In such cases, the buyer receives the car but soon faces challenges as their ownership rights are contested. Before buying, it's worth checking all power of attorneys and asking questions about the car owner.

Used Car Scams

There are many fraudulent schemes in the secondary market. Among them are:

1. Sale of flooded cars. Cars affected by floods are restored and sold, hiding traces of water damage. The appearance may deceive the buyer, but problems with electronics and corrosion may appear later, becoming a serious financial burden.
2. Masking technical faults. Some defects are hidden with temporary repairs that stop working shortly after purchase. It's important to conduct diagnostics at independent service stations before buying.
3. Sale of cars with altered numbers. Such cars may be stolen, leading to the seizure of the car and possible legal consequences for the new owner. Checking the VIN number for compliance with data in documents and registries can help avoid such problems.

How Not to Fall for a Car Scam

To avoid fraud, it's important to follow safety precautions:

1. Check the car's history. Use specialized databases to identify liens, restrictions, and theft facts.
2. Inspect the car with specialists. Conducting diagnostics at an independent service station is an important step before buying, which can reveal hidden defects.
3. Do not transfer money in advance. Do not agree to prepayment without transaction guarantees and a personal meeting with the seller.
4. Study the documents. Always verify the data about the owner, technical specifications, and car history with official sources.
5. Do not trust prices that are too low. If the price of the car is too attractive, it may be a sign of fraud. Don't rush into a purchase.

Following these recommendations will help reduce the risk of becoming a fraud victim when buying a car. It's important to stay vigilant and remember the need to check all aspects of the deal.