(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment is investigating a fraud after being contacted by concerned resident at a Windham Road 7, Windham, Norfolk County, Ontario address.
Between Friday, November 8, 2013 and Tuesday, November 19, 2013 a resident located an ad on a website for a motor vehicle that was for sale. Communication was established at which time the seller of the vehicle advised that they were currently in Orlando Florida, and was selling a vehicle that was stored in St John’s Newfoundland.
A price for the vehicle was negotiated and funds were subsequently sent through the use of a money wiring service. Additional funds were requested and sent in order to cover the insurance of transporting the vehicle however the vehicle never arrived.
Some scam artists use stolen photos in their ads, claiming they are pictures of vehicles for sale. Actually, the seller does not have the vehicle that he/she is trying to sell. The seller will ask for money in advance and refer the unsuspecting person to a money wiring service. The buyer waits for few days and when they do not receive the vehicle, attempt to contact the seller, receiving no answer.
In order to avoid these types of scams, remember the following general words of advice:
Know whom you are dealing with – independently confirm your seller’s name, street, address, and telephone number.
Resist pressure to “act now.†If an offer sounds too good to be true it usually is.
If the buyer wants to use a service you have not heard of, be sure to check it out to be sure it is reliable – check its Web site, call its customer service hotline, and read its terms of agreement and privacy policy. If you do not feel comfortable with the service, do not use it.
NEVER wire money or use a bank-to-bank transfer in a transaction.
ALWAYS try to deal locally when buying or selling an automobile or other high-value merchandise
DO NOT sell or buy a car from someone who is unable or unwilling to meet you face to face.
NEVER buy a car that you have not seen in real life and had inspected by a professional.
“The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment continues to receive reports from residents stating they have been or attempted to be defrauded. Don’t be a victim. Fraud is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that will only stop when the scammers stop getting money, banking information or personal information,†comments Constable Ed Sanchuk, Norfolk County OPP.