Something Fishy...

[santana338]

So what else can be done about this scammer? I looked on the Edmunds site and this site and the email address used has come up before. They suggested reporting the site to Google (easy, so I did that), the IC3 and FTC (not so easy, so I didn't do that).

 

[TEG]

I have seen many other instances of situations like this in the past. I think organized international criminals target online car sales. I think they may scam people out of deposits to hold.

I wish we had a better way to get these shut down... But it also feels like "whack a mole" where one gets shut down and two more pop up somewhere else.

Getting the sites shut off is only a temporary "band-aid". The groups behind all this ought to be put in jail so they stop doing this.

 

[DrivingTheFuture]

I'm glad I at least reported it here and set the dogs loose on this instance...

 

[kp.sfo]

Same scam now on cargurus.com for $53k...

 

[copyhacker]

Just showed up again listed on cars.com under a dealer. I emailed the dealer and was told that they'd been hacked. At the same time, I received an email (from a ProtonMail address) claiming to be from the owner who is selling because he moved to the UK, and claiming the car is in Santa Monica. Sigh...

 

[ted.hawaii]

Link actually goes to this address http://www.edmunds.com.en-us.vehicl...a2ddb1f7e&ee=19cfe1fc18bbaf10067fd6fa2e671376


Robert <[email protected]>

Jul 2, 2018, 12:34 PM (1 day ago)

It is still for sale and I'm willing to sell it for US $53.000. The car is registered on my name, it has 8,500 miles, the title is clear (VIN 5YJXCBE22GF004462- no lien, accident free) also it drives and runs great. It is located in Santa Monica, CA and I'm selling it because I'm not in US anymore. I live in UK with my family now.

Cheers
Rob

--------------------------

Yes, it's still under warranty.
The car(title included) is in Edmunds possession. They will ship the vehicle and transfer the ownership on my behalf. So for our both security and insurance that nothing will go wrong, our deal will be done under Edmunds surveillance:
http://www.edmunds.com.en-us.vehicle-usa.org/overview

Your payment will go directly to Edmunds, they will receive and secure your funds until you will receive and inspect the vehicle. You will have a 3 days inspection period. If you like it, you'll approve the payment, they will pay me and transfer the ownership, if not, you'll reject the vehicle. In this case Edmunds will refund your money and pick it up from you.

 

[copyhacker]

Not that it means a whole lot, but the email I received had the exact same content.

ETA: I didn't receive any of the Edmunds stuff below the line. Just the top part ending in "Cheers Rob"

 

[TEG]

Where's Waldo?

Tesla Model X 2016

State: OH, Logan
ZIP code: 43138
VIN: 5YJXCBE22GF004462
Contact me for more details! TANSKY MOTORS INC IS A FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS THAT HAS BEEN IN OPERATION AT THIS LOCATION FOR 70 YEARS.PEOPLE LOVE OUR SMALL TOWN DEALERSHIP, AND THE EXCELLENT SERVICE THEY RECEIVE WHETHER IT BE BUYING A VEHICLE,OR COMING IN FOR SERVICE AT OUR SERVICE OR PARTS DEPARTMENT.WE DON'T PLAY GAMES,JUST STRAIGHT FORWARD,AND FAIR PRICES!

https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/37305347

2016 Tesla Model X 90D90D AWD 4dr SUV
$58,000 SOLD
Indy Motors WEST
Indianapolis, IN

Tesla Model X 90d Silver - Low Milage - Mint Condition - Lots Of Upgrades - Used Tesla Model X for sale in Naples, Florida | autoquid.com

Location: 34104, Naples, Florida
SellerID: gadgettry
VIN#: 5YJXCBE22GF004462

https://carsdesk.com/Used-2016-TESLA-MODEL-X-for-Sale-in-Fitchburg-MA-5YJXCBE22GF004462-29608785

VIN: 5YJXCBE22GF004462
Mileage: 6000
Color: SILVER
Body Style: Sport Utility
Transmission: Automatic
Engine Type: Electric
Drive Train: AWD
Fuel: ELECTRIC
Location: Fitchburg, MA
Information about Dealer
USA Auto Service
91 Laurel St, Fitchburg, MA, 01420
(978) 716-2793

https://www.carstory.com/detail/2016-tesla-model_x-edgewood_wa-5YJXCBE22GF004462

 

[TEG]

For what it is worth, that VIN is currently registered in Winter Park, Florida

 

[TEG]

Name: www.edmunds.com.en-us.vehicle-usa.org
Address: 192.99.34.204
OVH Hosting, Inc.
Montréal
Canada

Index of /

Index of /
Name Last modified Size Description
cgi-bin/ 2018-04-02 14:14 -
www.edmunds.com.en-us/ 2018-04-23 09:25 -
www.edmunds.com.en/ 2018-04-23 09:18 -
www.edmunds.com.us-en/ 2018-04-23 09:25 -
www.edmunds.com.us/ 2018-04-23 09:25 -

 

[TEG]

From Edmunds:


Thank you for reaching out to Edmunds. What you have described to us is a known scam, employing fraudulent websites that were making use of our logo and name. Both those fake websites and their URLs (addresses) are designed to look similar to ours.

Edmunds is not, and has never been, a car broker or the operator of an escrow service.

Also, note that Edmunds only has vehicles for sale from dealerships on our website. We do not accept listings from private parties. However, in some instances, the perpetrators of this fraud pose as legitimate car dealers.

Please let us know the website on which you originally saw the car for sale. We recommend you reach out to that website to let them know about the scam.

We also recommend telling the purported seller that you know it is a scam and/or ending communication with them immediately. If you have already sent payment, you will need to reach out to your bank ASAP and see if it can stop the payment. You can learn more here.

The best thing you could do to help is spread the news! We published an article to help get the word out. If you don't mind, please read and share this article from the Associated Press, "Edmunds: How to avoid fraud when buying a car online".

This fraud is well-known to the authorities, but we encourage you to file a complaint about the fraudulent escrow website and vehicle offer with the following:

IC3 - FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center
Google Report Malicious Software
FTC Complaint Assistant

Thanks again for letting us know.

 

[brkaus]

One would think edmunds would attempt to shut down the fake site?

 

[TEG]

They have... And then two more pop up somewhere else. They can't keep up with it.

Also, for many of those sites, as long as the content provider is paying their hosting bills, the hosting company has dis-incentive to shut it down.

 

[Peteski]

It's a good lesson to learn whenever something appears to be way too good to be true, then it almost certainly isn't! The very word "escrow" = "scam" in my book too! But someone will probably fall for it sooner or later while their brain is fogged up by the apparent bargain of the century. That's scamming 101 and will be an expensive lesson for someone to learn! These scammers will always exist while people are willing to take a punt on an apparent bargain.