Description

Found this online auto auction sponsored ad on FB marketplace, the link took me to their direct website. After some research, they looked like a legit company, no red flags stood out, no negative google searches, etc. I placed a bid on one of their repossessed autos on auction. I won the bid, I was contacted via phone and confirmed the winning bid price, vehicle info and my contact info. I received an emailed invoice with wire transfer info and was told once payment was made I would receive shipping info. I submitted the wire and sent them a confirmation letter. I received a Bill of Lading the next business day and was told there would be a 7-14 day waiting period for the lien-holder to release the title and provide me with a bill of sale. There were multiple emails exchanged explaining the details - no obvious red flags. A day before the car was scheduled to be delivered I attempted to contact the company and confirm the delivery details only to find out all of their phone numbers had been disconnected and no response from their email address I previously used. Their website was still active but no open auctions available. I googled their name again but now there was a full page of info stating it was a scam. I immediately did a deep research on the company name I sent the wire to and couldn’t find any available contact info. That company “United Repo Autos, Inc.” is using a registered agent as their physical and mailing addresses. This “registered agent” is a landmark for thousands of companies. I have been unable to find any phone numbers or email addresses for this company. The recipient’s bank has been contacted by my bank to see if funds can be revoked - no luck thus far.