Better Business Bureau | Greater MD warns consumers of an international scam targeting US car buyers. Scam artists advertise through online classifieds and trade magazines sporting popular cars for prices far less than their Kelley Blue Book value. By the end of the scam, buyers are out thousands.
BBB reports indicate that when communicating with a potential buyer, the "seller" acknowledges to be living out of the country. To give the buyer a false sense of security, the seller claims the transaction will be completed through Moneybookers.com. Moneybookers.com is a UK-based service, similar to PayPal.com.
Follow-up email from the seller to the buyer is drafted to appear to be from Moneybookers.com. The buyer is asked to send a fully-insured and refundable 30% down payment, and is instructed to wire the money, contrary to Moneybooker.com policies, to the seller in London.
The scam artists have developed a multi-level strategy in which they send consumers email modeling the Moneybooker.com format. Hyperlinks to online chat with scammers posing as Moneybooker.com representatives are included in the messages to lure unsuspecting buyers.
The scam artists have been so successful building a front of trust with buyers that documented reports to BBB indicate that some eager buyers have lost an additional 30% to the plot.
According to Western Union's web site, "[The Western Union Money Transfer service] isn't intended to send money to someone you don't know."
"Be cautious when asked that financial transfers be conducted through money-wiring," says Angie Barnett, President and CEO, BBB | Greater MD. "In contrast, services such as PayPal.com and credit card companies may offer consumers some measure of recourse. However, money sent via wire service is unforgiving and final."
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About BBB of Greater Maryland
Headquartered in Baltimore, BBB of Greater Maryland is a non-profit organization that was established in 1922. It serves 18 Maryland counties and Baltimore City. In the last 12 months, BBB has assisted over one-half million consumers and businesses by providing reliability reports, conciliation services, scam alerts and tips. BBB of Greater Maryland is supported by Accredited Businesses that have passed a comprehensive review, met 13 standards of trust, and that agree to uphold those standards including commitments to advertise honestly, and to address marketplace disputes quickly, respectfully, and reasonably. For more information please contact BBB of Greater Maryland at 410-347-3990 or visit www.bbb.org.