Scammers never sleep. So always be in the lookout, specially when buying a car online. This one felt 100% custom made for me, to trap me. This scam was very well put together, you must have a higher awareness. With AI these scams will proliferate AND be nearly impossible to detect. Check the signs of a scammer website and how they do the transaction in this investigation.
In today’s digital age, online scams have become increasingly sophisticated and pervasive. Unfortunately, even the most cautious individuals can fall victim to these fraudulent schemes. One such insidious scam targeting car buyers is orchestrated by a website called PAC MOTO Traders. With a range of deceptive tactics, PAC MOTO Traders preys upon unsuspecting buyers who are seeking their dream cars. In this article, we will delve into the workings of this scam, expose its red flags, and provide tips on how to protect yourself from falling victim to similar traps.
The Alluring Trap:
Picture this: You stumble upon the perfect candidate to replace your beloved and recently totaled Jaguar XKR on Facebook Marketplace. I found this 2014 Jaguar XKR listed in Southern California, with a great price within reason. The seller responds to your inquiry, but instead of conducting the transaction through Facebook, they direct you to an email or a link. Beware, as this is the first red flag. Scammers often create new Facebook accounts to avoid detection, making it harder to trace their activities. In this case, the ‘seller’ is a new FB account
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1863107407390690
The PAC MOTO Traders Website:
The seller replied to me 3 days later, giving me an email and a link to a site and saying car is NY. Once you follow the link, you find yourself on the PAC MOTO Traders website. At first glance, the website may appear legitimate, with enticing links to seemingly trustworthy platforms such as AutoCheck and Trustpilot. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll discover a web of deceit.
Looks ok at first glance. The business presents itself as a consignment shop, that deals with Boats and Cars. The page where the car is for sale looks fine. There is a ‘very helpful’ Autocheck button (see more below) and the VIN number matches a real car. So, if you were to stop here and didn’t see anything else, you may think this is a real company selling a real car.
There isn’t an ‘inventory for sale’ page at all, but the direct URL link works. So cant see any other deals. That was very odd. Exploring further, in the ‘About Us’ reveals quite a lot. The website’s text looked odd with many ebay references. Eventually I figures out these are shamelessly ripped off from an old ‘Mail Boxes Etc.’ website, with minimal modifications. This blatant copying should definitely raise suspicions about the site’s legitimacy. They also claim to be registered with NY state as a corporation,and even give you a number, but I searched and there is no such company.
Furthermore, PAC MOTO Traders exclusively accepts payment via bank wire, an uncommon and risky method for online transactions. Legitimate sellers typically offer a range of secure payment options to accommodate buyer preferences. ‘You have one day’ to make your payment after agreeing. So that is definitely sketchy, despite their ‘7 day satisfaction guarantee’
Fake AutoCheck Reports and Reviews:
Another element of this very well done scam involves the presentation of really well done fake AutoCheck reports and dealer review pages. If you, like me, want to check reviews of a dealer, you will check the traditional review sources.
Additionally, the website helpfully showcases fake positive reviews to mislead potential victims. However, you can spot these red flags by examining the details closely.
The Trustpilot, Cars.com and Dealer Rater logos are linked to go to very convincing pages, only if you look at the domain, you will understand you are NOT at the right page.
If you click on those logos, you will get a totally fake Trustpilot reviews page. Only clue is the domain address in the address bar that will show you is the wrong website:
While the car being advertised may be real and the VIN too, the accompanying AutoCheck report is entirely fabricated. Scammers use this tactic to create an illusion of authenticity and gain the buyer’s trust. Check the domain of the AutoCheck fake page, is self hosted:
Exposing the Scammers:
PAC MOTO Traders employs some basic search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to appear organically when searching for review pages. They even faked a few forum pages, going the extra mile there, scammer. However, with a little investigation, the scam’s true nature becomes evident. Here are a few key indicators to identify the scam:
- Domain Discrepancy: Pay attention to the website’s domain. Scammers often use variations of well-known websites or domain names that don’t match the expected format. Vigilance is crucial when clicking on any links.
- Suspicious Great Reviews: Glowing reviews that seem too good to be true are often stolen or fabricated. Cross-check the reviews on other reputable platforms to verify their authenticity.
- False Address: The scammers claim to be a New York-registered corporation but provide an address located in Central Park. A quick search will reveal the falsehood behind this claim.
- WHOIS and The Wayback machine or ScamAdviser: These tools will show you the true age of the site. This company is pretending to be 10 years old but the site domain was bought 2 months ago.
Protect Yourself:
To avoid falling victim to scams like PAC MOTO Traders, it’s important to exercise caution and employ the following preventive measures:
- Conduct Thorough Research: Always research the seller, website, and the car’s history independently. Use multiple sources to verify the information provided.
- Verify Online Platforms: When redirected to external websites, scrutinize the URLs to ensure they match the legitimate platforms.
- Secure Payment Methods: Opt for secure payment methods, such as escrow services or reputable online payment gateways, that offer buyer protection.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your gut and refrain from engaging further with suspicious sellers or websites.
Conclusion:
The PAC MOTO Traders scam is a cautionary tale for car buyers navigating the online marketplace. The scammers have grown more elaborate and will not only create fake listings, but also fake reviews, fake customers.
By being vigilant and familiarizing yourself with the warning signs, you can protect yourself from falling victim to such scams. Always prioritize your safety and exercise due diligence when conducting any online transactions. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay alert and enjoy the process of finding your dream car without falling into the traps set by fraudsters. I’ve sent some info and will report what the next steps of the scam are, once I get the scammer on the phone.
