Greece: They extort advance payments from unsuspecting buyers – the scam sweeping the internet

Complaints of online scams are on the rise, with unsuspecting consumers “buying” non-existent cars being the victims.

In recent months, they have become a scourge Internet scams With victims unsuspecting citizens and “bait” Car sales ads.

Scammers post ads online to persuade their victims to bid Advance payments for car purchases. The latter, of course,… does not exist, though the citizens do They lose their money.

just yesterday, Monday, January 30thThe General Regional Directorate of Police of Epirus, after complaints from citizens, was able to do so Solve two online scams With car sales ads.

In particular, the Philiaton Police Department filed a case against four foreigners, who, they have Post an online advertisement for the sale of a carThey took her away Tuesday 01/03/2023 amount of money 500 euros By a citizen who has deposited the specified amount into his account as an advance payment for the purchase of the vehicle.

A related case has also been investigated before Igoumenitsa Security Sub-Directorate, that identified three persons Which, with a baited e-ad for the sale of a IX truck, on Monday 5/12/2022 persuaded a potential buyer over the phone to transfer to their bank account as a down payment The amount of 1000 euros.

They were getting cars without… paying

“Monkey” ads aren’t the gangs’ only “weapon” for making a profit.

Recently there have been accidents Online communication files with the people who posted cars for sale and convince them of that Provision of vehiclesunder the pretext of depositing money with them.

Such cases of cheating were discovered just a few days before Security Department in Nea Ionia From the Attica Security Directorate, which filed a case file against two citizens, a 33-year-old woman, a 31-year-old woman, and their other accomplice for fraud by complicity, follow-up, and occupation.

It also emerged from the investigation of the accused They were communicating online with people who posted cars (and cell phones) for sale when buying and selling websites, social media and convinced that they intend to buy it. Then they requested a face-to-face meeting to complete the buying and selling process.

At their accused meetings Show the unsuspecting seller an electronic receipt for the payment of the agreed amount of moneyExplaining the reasons why they cannot pay in cash.

But the victims found out in the following days No money has been sent to their bank accounts Where the transactions are canceled before the amount of money is added.

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