12/7/11 – Online car scam – Ten News Perth

Presenter:
A warning tonight about an increase in bogus classified scams.  Consumer Protection says dozens of people have lost thousands of dollars when trying to buy cars, caravans and even machinery.

Reporter:
Coogee retirees, Graeme and Monika Lance, never thought it would happen to them, scammed of almost nine and a half thousand dollars after answering a For Sale ad for a bobcat.

Graeme Lance:
This has obviously burnt us, you know, it’s just a bad experience.

Reporter:
Graeme said he wasn’t able to view the bobcat in person because the bogus salesman said he had to visit a sick relative last minute overseas.  The scammer suggested they transfer the money by what the couple thought was ebay.  Once it was transferred, they received an email back stating the money hadn’t gone through, requesting it be sent again.

Monika Lance:
I got suspicious and I said no I am not sending any more money until we get the first lot back.

Reporter:
Consumer Protection says the couple aren’t alone.  It says these sorts of scams involving cars, caravans, boats and certain types of machinery are common and increasing.  More than 60 people have been scammed since the beginning of the year equating to about $94,000 in losses.  Consumer Protection says the scams are becoming more sophisticated than we have seen in the past.  Scammers posing as representatives from popular websites such as ebay and copying and modifying existing advertisements.

David Hillyard, Consumer Protection:
You should be dealing with these transactions face to face and have the goods in your hands when you hand over the money.