A Tyabb resident has fallen victim to an online vehicle sales scam, urging others to stay vigilant when dealing with potential buyers.
Donald, 44, listed his car for sale on Facebook Marketplace and was contacted by a buyer named Tom. The conversation felt legitimate, and the account appeared trustworthy. They arranged an inspection time, but before meeting, Tom insisted on a “VIN Expert Report”, claiming it was a more “in-depth” vehicle background check than a standard VIN check from VicRoads.
“I have bought and sold vehicles all my life and never heard of a VIN Expert Report,”
Donald told STPL News.
“I should have been suspicious when he rejected the VIN report from VicRoads, but I was eager to sell my vehicle and ignored the red flags.”
Tom then provided a link to a third-party website that claimed to offer comprehensive vehicle checks, with pricing tiers up to $100. Wanting to reassure the buyer, Donald purchased the premium package, but soon realised that nearly $200 had been deducted from his account—almost double the advertised price.
He never received the report, and when he tried to follow up, Tom had blocked him.
A Widespread Scam Targeting Online Sellers
This scam is a well-documented fraudulent scheme targeting sellers across Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and Carsales.com.au. Carsales.com.au has published a warning about this very scam, explaining:
“The scammer poses as a buyer and asks the seller to purchase a vehicle history report from a specific third-party website. If the seller complies, the scammer obtains the funds through the third-party site, but often no legitimate vehicle history report is supplied.”
How to Avoid This Scam
To protect yourself from falling victim to this scam, follow these safety tips:
- Use official sources: In Australia, legitimate vehicle history reports can be obtained through VicRoads, the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), or other government-endorsed websites.
- Beware of unusual buyer demands: A legitimate buyer will typically conduct their own vehicle history check rather than requesting the seller to pay for one.
- Research suspicious websites: Before making payments online, check the website’s credibility using tools like ScamAdviser or online reviews.
- Never send money to unverified third-party websites: Scammers often use these fraudulent websites to steal funds without providing any service.
Report Scams
If you have encountered a similar scam, report it to:
- Scamwatch: www.scamwatch.gov.au
- The Australian Cyber Security Centre: www.cyber.gov.au
- Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree Support
Unfortunately, Donald’s money is lost, but he hopes his story will prevent others from falling into the same trap. His experience serves as a cautionary tale—always verify before making online payments, and trust your instincts.
Donald has since reported the profile to Facebook and also completed a separate report with ScamWatch.
Disclaimer: This story is real. The age and location of the man are accurate, but his name has been changed to protect his privacy.
Additionally, STPL News has decided not to show the image of the profile used in the scam account because the account or the image used has likely been stolen from an unsuspecting victim of identity fraud.
