autotrader.ca scam EXPOSED!!



This may not be news too some, but for me I stumbled upon this scam very recently (Aug, 2021).  Basically how this scam works is that the criminal posts a car on autotrader that is "too good to be true."  They ask you to not contact them through the autotrader app and go directly too them.  When you email them asking about the car, that is when the grift begins.  I found 3 "different" people selling beautiful cars for an insanely low price.  $2700 for a 2013 Honda CR-V is pretty good deal!!

Unfortunately for these folks I knew what was going on from the very beginning, and I am happy that I wasted there time.  Sad thing is that this kind of scam must actually work, because if it didn't the criminals wouldn't keep doing it.

Before we get to the conversations with the criminals I will give you a summary of red flags to look out for.

In no particular order.

1. Too Good to be True:  You know this usually holds true in most cases.  An insane deal on a fairly new car?  This scenario is not unique to cars it can be recycled for other situations as well.

2. No tangible product:  There is some reason why you can't actually go and touch/hold the product.  Maybe they are out of province/state/country.  If you can't go and actually look at the "thing" you are buying I recommend you move on

3. Sob story:  There is typically some kind of hook to make you feel bad for them.  Ask yourself why would a complete faceless stranger be pouring out their hearts like this?  I didn't need to know about your divorce and your multiple surgeries.

4. Transactions not the norm:  If the person you are talking too wants you to pay for the car through a method that is not the norm, like sending them gift cards, sending money through eBay.  There really shouldn't be any reason why you should be paying for a vehicle a "normal" way.  Number 4 connects directly too number 2 in this situation.  

5. Skipping built in website security features:  In the autotrader example the criminals wanted me to communicate with me directly via there email.  They did not want me to use the built in mailing service that autotrader utilizes.  This is a red flag because if the deal was legit, why wouldn't you use the built in communication feature?

I want to be clear, autotrader is not bad.  Bad people are abusing it.  I t is really no different then any other service, people will find a way abuse and take advantage.  Keep your eyes open for the red flags listed above and you should be safe.

Criminal is in RED Andrew is in BLACK

Melanie:

Hello I am Mélanie DESLILE, the sole owner of the 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA LE car with a counter of 101000 KM at the price of 2000. The car here has no problem and does not show any trace of rust. Plus, it's debt free and has never been in an accident. The reason for the sale is related to my marriage. I am currently outside Canada because I have just joined my husband. The car will be sold with summer and winter tires. All the documentations of the car as well as the power of attorney and a copy of my driver's license are with the private delivery person who will take care of bringing you the car to the place of your choice without delivery costs.
The car is immediately available to acquire. So if really interested in buying my car, please tell me where the delivery person will bring you by leaving me the exact address of the place as follows recommended:

Availability ..............
Exact appointment address ..............
Exact time of appointment .............
Telephone number .......................

(here there were about 20 pictures of a very nice car.  I didn't click on any of them.)
Cordially

Andrew:

Hello, 

Can i send you a picture of a credit card?

Front and back?

Melanie:

Yes

Andrew:

Thanks!

I have attached a picture of the front and back of my credit card.  I have a limit of $20,000 so please only take the required amount.

I'm excited for my new car!



------------------------------\
Andrew:
Hi,
I saw your ad for a 2013 honda crv.  I would like to come see it when you are available.

Thanks,


Adele:

Thank you for still being interested in buying my vehicle like I told you in my first email I recently moved to London and the vehicle is located in Canada.The vehicle it's currently sealed in the harbor in Halifax,NS ready to be delivered.I must pay a fee for each day for stationing in the harbor so I priced it low to sell it fast.I've paid round-trip scheme and the returns are free and that is my secret for selling it so.Shipping will be free of charge for you and will take no more than one week (five working days) you will receive the vehicle along with all the paper works, keys, title and a bill of sale signed by me.I want to tell you that we will use eBay in this transaction in order for both of us to be 100% protected and insured by them, eBay will supervise over our transaction. They will take care of the shipping (The vehicle is already at the shipping company with all papers and documents ready to be shipped) and all the small details. You will get the vehicle and you will have 5 calendar days return-policy in which you can decide if you will buy the vehicle or not.In the inspection period you can test the vehicle, go with the vehicle at your local mechanic for inspection.After your inspection period (5 calendar days) In case you won't like the vehicle (not your case) you will notify eBay and you will send the vehicle back on my expense, if you want to keep it you will also announce eBay,you will send the funds (payment method and all the details will be set up by eBay) and you will keep the vehicle.
If you agree with these terms, please send me your full name, shipping address and phone number, in order to start the transaction!
Thank you,
Adele

Andrew:

Hello, 

Can i send you a picture of a credit card?

Front and back?

------------------------------

Sandra:

Hello

I received your email for the sale of my Honda Civic LX car. It is still
available at $ 3.000 CAD and features:

Honda Civic LX 4dr Sedan 5A 2013
Kilometer: 92.000
ENGINE: I4 1.8L
TRANSMISSION: Automatic 5-Speed
DRIVE TRAIN: FWD
FUEL: Gasoline

I decided to sell my car at this price of 3.000CAD because I am currently
traveling out of the country for my new job and in the country where I am I
have to buy a car very quickly to get to work. The sale is urgent enough. A
delivery person will take it to you at a meeting point or at a license
office closest to you, to do a check and inspection before you decide on
the purchase. During the appointment, you will be given with the papers
related to the sale:

- Power of sale
- Registration certificate
- Copy of my driving license
- maintenance file and all bills
- Safety inspection
- A vehicle history report

PS/ The car is secure test and certified
The car has never been accidented, it has no mechanical problem.
The car will be delivered with 4 winter tires and 4 summer tires.

Thank you for responding quickly to finalize the sale. Please don't
seriously abstain.

(14 images attached, I didn't click on any)

Andrew:

Hello, 

Can i send you a picture of a credit card?

Front and back?

Sandra:
Yes send me

Andrew:

Hi Sandra,
At this point I know that this is a scam.  There is no car, you are attempting to get me to send you money.  I know the first reaction here would be to delete this email and move on to someone else.  However I would encourage you to do something different.  Your industry is interesting to me, and I would like to understand your motivations better.

I am a journalist and your name and contact will not be shared.  I am literally curious about the world you are in.  If you have a few minutes could you fill out the following questions and send them back to me?

1. How did you get started in this field of work?

2. On average how much $ do you take in a month from this specific type of work?

3. What country to do you reside?

4. What if any punishments occur for people in your country for cyber criminals?

5. What is it about online scams that draws you to this work?

Thanks, I hope to hear from you.  



Popular Posts