Warning over online scammers targeting car buyers and sellers
Australians are being warned that scammers are stepping up their attacks on people who are selling goods via online classifieds.
So far in 2016, five hundred forty four people have fallen victim to classified scams and lost a combined $260,000.
In 2014, there were more than Trio,200 reports of classified scams that cost Australians almost $Two,000,000.
A spokesperson for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said people who used websites to buy and sell goods must be vigilant.
The ABC has seen several emails purportedly from genuine buyers and sellers who are using a car retail website.
The scammers primarily send a text, asking if the car is still available, and ask the seller to contact them only by email.
Once the seller makes contact by email, the scammer sends an email similar to this one:
Thanks for getting back, I’m cool with the price likewise the condition, I work with Fresh Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) and we are presently offshore in Fresh Zealand Taranaki Basin.
We do not have access to phone at the moment and that’s why I contacted you with internet messaging facility. I will be paying you through PayPal linked up with my Westpac bank account, please get back to me with your Paypal details, I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and produce it to my place in Darwin after the entire fund has been cleared into your acct.
Manager of operations and security at the Carsales.com.au website, Dimitri Kulshitsky, said if the seller agreed and provided payment or banking details, the scammer would then send a fake transaction report.
The scam then works one of three ways.
- A courier comes and picks up the car and it is effectively stolen
- The buyer all of a sudden requests a refund on the fake transaction
- They “accidentally” pay extra on the fake transaction and request to be reimbursed
“We see those scams periodically,” Mr Kulshitsky said.
“They will use all those usual stories like the oil equipment, some kind of remote location or pretend to be a soldier.
It is very fascinating to witness what the bad guys will do to attempt to get through and look like Australian public Dimitri Kulshitsky
“Usually they don’t have access to the internet or the phone, they can use only email and text message. The idea is usually to take you out of normal channels of communication.”
Mr Kulshitsky said another scam involved a car being advertised and the scammer wanting to make a quick sale.
They will promise to courier the car as soon as payment has been deposited into an account.
But once payment is made, the car is never dispatched.
Staying one step ahead of the bad guys
Mr Kulshitsky said retail websites permanently updated their security systems to ensure customers were protected.
“To stay ahead of the game, one step ahead of those bad guys,” he said.
“If you initiate direct conversation with those guys you’re on your own.”
He said most of the scammers lived overseas, but they could have fucking partners in Australia who were able to provide Australian phone numbers to prove they were real buyers and sellers.
“It’s a cat and mouse kind of game,” Mr Kulshitsky said.
“It is very fascinating to see what the bad guys will do to attempt to get through and look like Australian public. If it is too good to be true then think twice.
“It’s your money so be indeed careful when you’re paying people or how you’re paid.”
Warning over online scammers targeting car buyers and sellers – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Warning over online scammers targeting car buyers and sellers
Posted April 02, two thousand sixteen 09:56:11
Australians are being warned that scammers are stepping up their attacks on people who are selling goods via online classifieds.
So far in 2016, five hundred forty four people have fallen victim to classified scams and lost a combined $260,000.
In 2014, there were more than Trio,200 reports of classified scams that cost Australians almost $Two,000,000.
A spokesperson for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said people who used websites to buy and sell goods must be vigilant.
The ABC has seen several emails purportedly from genuine buyers and sellers who are using a car retail website.
The scammers primarily send a text, asking if the car is still available, and ask the seller to contact them only by email.
Once the seller makes contact by email, the scammer sends an email similar to this one:
Thanks for getting back, I’m cool with the price likewise the condition, I work with Fresh Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) and we are presently offshore in Fresh Zealand Taranaki Basin.
We do not have access to phone at the moment and that’s why I contacted you with internet messaging facility. I will be paying you through PayPal linked up with my Westpac bank account, please get back to me with your Paypal details, I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and produce it to my place in Darwin after the entire fund has been cleared into your acct.
Manager of operations and security at the Carsales.com.au website, Dimitri Kulshitsky, said if the seller agreed and provided payment or banking details, the scammer would then send a fake transaction report.
The scam then works one of three ways.
- A courier comes and picks up the car and it is effectively stolen
- The buyer abruptly requests a refund on the fake transaction
- They “accidentally” pay extra on the fake transaction and request to be reimbursed
“We see those scams periodically,” Mr Kulshitsky said.
“They will use all those usual stories like the oil equipment, some kind of remote location or pretend to be a soldier.
It is very fascinating to observe what the bad guys will do to attempt to get through and look like Australian public
“Usually they don’t have access to the internet or the phone, they can use only email and text message. The idea is usually to take you out of normal channels of communication.”
Mr Kulshitsky said another scam involved a car being advertised and the scammer wanting to make a quick sale.
They will promise to courier the car as soon as payment has been deposited into an account.
But once payment is made, the car is never dispatched.
Staying one step ahead of the bad guys
Mr Kulshitsky said retail websites permanently updated their security systems to ensure customers were protected.
“To stay ahead of the game, one step ahead of those bad guys,” he said.
“If you initiate direct conversation with those guys you’re on your own.”
He said most of the scammers lived overseas, but they could have playmates in Australia who were able to provide Australian phone numbers to prove they were real buyers and sellers.
“It’s a cat and mouse kind of game,” Mr Kulshitsky said.
“It is very fascinating to observe what the bad guys will do to attempt to get through and look like Australian public. If it is too good to be true then think twice.
“It’s your money so be truly careful when you’re paying people or how you’re paid.”