Description

Summary of Ongoing Scam Targeting the Collector Car Industry Overview A coordinated online scam operation is actively impersonating legitimate U.S.-based classic and collector car dealers to defraud potential buyers. These bad actors — (often operating from overseas) — are building fake dealer websites and social media pages using stolen photos and content, with the goal of soliciting fraudulent wire deposits for vehicles that do not exist. How the Scam Works 1. They copy a real dealer’s inventory, contact info, and location — often including logos or fake business licenses. 2. They build a fake website using a domain name similar to the real dealer’s (e.g., smithclassicauto-sales.com). 3. They run Facebook ads, post in groups, or list on marketplaces using the stolen images and fake contact info. 4. Buyers are contacted via email, phone, or Messenger and pressured to send a wire transfer or Zelle deposit before seeing the car. 5. Once payment is sent, the scammer disappears, and the buyer realizes too late it was fraud. Key Characteristics - Stolen photos and inventory copied directly from legitimate listings. - Fake business licenses, logos, or location info to appear legitimate. - Fraudulent websites registered via offshore or privacy-shielded domain registrars. - Payment requests via wire transfer, Zelle, or crypto, typically to offshore accounts. - Facebook pages that mimic real dealerships, often using car enthusiast groups to promote. Impact on the Industry - Financial loss to consumers and erosion of trust in online platforms. - Damage to reputations of real dealers whose identities are being hijacked. - Platform abuse, as scammers list fake vehicles on marketplaces and social media with increasing sophistication. - Difficult enforcement due to jurisdictional issues when scammers operate from overseas.