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, (Victim "Target A"). 2. They build a fake website using a domain name similar to another dealer’s contact info, and location (Victim "Target B") (e.g., smithclassicauto-sales.com) — often including logos or fake business licenses. 3. They run Facebook ads, post in groups, or list on legitimate marketplaces using the stolen images and fake contact info from both (Victims "Target A, and Target B"). 4. Buyers (Multiple Victims "Targets, C1, C2, C3...") are contacted via email, phone, or Messenger and pressured to send a wire transfer or Zelle deposit before seeing the car, usually in amounts of $20K, $40K, $80K, depending on the car and the victim. 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; (Victim "Target A"). - Fake business licenses, logos, or location info to appear legitimate; (Victim "Target B"). - Fraudulent websites registered via offshore or privacy-shielded domain registrars; (Bad Actor / Scammer). - Payment requests via wire transfer, Zelle, or crypto, typically to offshore accounts (Multiple Victim "Targets, C1, C2, C3..."). - Facebook pages that mimic real dealerships, often using car enthusiast groups to promote; (Victim "Target B"). 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. Scammer samples in the news: - California man loses $25,000 to classic car dealer scam in Connecticut, WFSB 3TV, 10/3/2024; 2 min. 44 sec. video - Scammer now targeting classic car buyers, WCPO 9TV, 5/9/2024 1 min. 51sec. video - Classic car scams on the rise, BBB urges buyers to verify online deals, WALA, FOX10 7/11/2024; 2 min. 44 sec. video - Exposing Scammer! Classic Car Scam! This Video Will Save You Thousands!! Coyote Classics 5/24/2024 15min. 44 sec. video List of Federal Law violations; Title 18 of the United States Code 18 U.S.C. § 1028, (false documents and identity theft);18 U.S.C. § 1028A, (aggravated identity theft); 18 U.S.C. § 1029, (credit card fraud); 18 U.S.C. § 1030, (computer fraud); 18 U.S.C. § 1343, (wire fraud); 18 U.S.C. § 2318B, (counterfeit and illicit labels); and 18 U.S.C. § 2319, (violation of intellectual property rights). Summary Real crimes cost real Americans millions of their hard-earned dollars. This is a sophisticated scam operation impersonating real classic car dealers using stolen content and offshore websites to lure buyers into wiring money for non-existent cars. It damages both consumers and legitimate dealers. The law provides strong penalties — but community action, reporting, and awareness are essential to stopping it. We encourage your actions, and we welcome further discussion and coordination!