Colchester car dealer warns residents over online scammers

Several suspicious-looking posts advertising expensive vehicles at affordable prices have been making their way onto Facebook Marketplace.

The advertisements have been finding their way onto the feeds of social media users in Colchester, sparking fears residents could be scammed.

One of the most recent cars to be posted for sale is a second hand Toyota RAV4 for just £3,500, despite the car usually commanding a minimum of £12,000. 

Scam - The Gazette found a 2016 Toyota RAV4 for cheap on Facebook marketplace (Image: Newsquest)

After contacting the seller posing as a potential buyer, the Gazette was told, despite the low price, the car is in "great condition" and has only done "22,890 miles".

However it soon became clear the vehicle was currently being stored in a warehoue and would have to be transported all the way from Glasgow.

When we asked the seller how much we would have to pay upfront, before even setting eyes on the car, they simply replied "total price is £5,000 plus £135", as they reassured us of their five day money back gurantee. 

The Gazette was made aware of the potentially fraudently posts by a Colchester car dealer with more than thirty years of experience in the business.

The expert, who is often “looking to buy stock” online and will often peruse adverts on Facebook Marketplace, has urged residents to think before they buy.

Suspicious - After enquiring about the car, The Colchester Gazette was told to send an email (Image: Newsquest)

Dodgy deal - Once The Gazette sent an email and after an initial conversation, the scammer asked for the full payment upfront for the car and stated they would arrange for it to be transported to our location (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking anonymously, he said: “[I see it] on Facebook all the time, as a car dealer, I’m looking to buy stock. 

“When you see something that looks much cheaper than it should be…. [it raises alarm bells].

“When I go on Facebook and find listings that are fake, they have about 20 cars that are grossly undervalued.

“[After messaging one], they replied to my message and wanted to take me away from the marketplace and contact them by email.

“They will tell [potentially interested buyers that] there are a lot of people who are interested and will ask for a deposit.

“The unsuspecting public can easily fall victim to these people.”

Speaking about how this sort of scam has impacted his dealership and the motor industry in general, the man said he believes it puts off potential customers from trusting authentic car sellers.

He said: “A lot of people in the motor industry rely on delivering cars as part of a transaction, so we are required to receive a deposit.

“We get some sort of deposit to cover the delivery segment of the car sale but [these scams online] are putting people off making payments to bona fide car sellers like myself [as they are worried].

“These scams are making life difficult.”