Scam with luxury cars: Lithuanian cheats 586,000 euros!

Scam with luxury cars: Lithuanian cheats 586,000 euros!

Neumünster is currently experiencing a trial that sheds light on the dark side of the car trade. A man from Lithuania is on trial for being involved in a high-priced vehicle scam. To be precise, he is said to have swindled a total of around 586,000 euros from unsuspecting car buyers in Neumünster and Oberhausen by offering vehicles via sales platforms, concluding sales contracts and collecting deposits before he became unreachable for the buyers. The defendant offered noble vehicles such as an AMG Mercedes for around 166,000 euros under the company names “Meerstein” and “Autokreisel”. kn-online reports.

In Oberhausen, the defendant offered other luxury cars such as the Porsche 911 and Audi A8, Q7 and Q8. The dispute over the fraud allegations has now developed into a larger legal case. Despite extensive investigations, the allegation of fraud could not be proven. Instead, the defendant was sentenced to one year in prison for money laundering, which was suspended for three years.

Internet scams

The Lithuanian's actions are an example of the current risks of buying a car online. The ADAC advises buyers to always exercise caution when it comes to tempting offers. The “Safer Car Buying on the Internet” (ISAK) initiative, which is supported by organizations such as ADAC, AutoScout24 and mobile.de, points out the most common scams. These can range from requiring deposits to forged vehicle documents. Interestingly, such offers often disappear before the purchase is completed, forcing users to remain vigilant, as adac.de informs.

Scammers also often use fake websites and escrow accounts to trick buyers into transferring money. Offers that sound too good to be true should be viewed with skepticism. Especially in today's digital world, buying a car can easily become a risk if you are not well informed.

Protection measures for buyers

But how can you protect yourself? mobile.de recommends only communicating via their platform and showing additional photos directly in the advertisement. Anyone who comes across unsolicited messages should be suspicious. Fraudsters often try to move communication from the platform to personal email addresses or messenger services to minimize traceability. It is also not recommended to use cash transfer services such as Western Union, as they often increase the risk of fraud, according to mobile.de.

Another important means of protection is the Safe Pay escrow service, which protects the buyer by securing the purchase price until the transaction is completed. However, buyers should be careful as scammers often imitate this service and target fake accounts. Buyers should insist that the money ends up in a trusted and definitely genuine account before handing over a car.

The current events in Neumünster illustrate how important it is to be vigilant when buying a car. The Lithuanian defendant's case is not only a warning for potential buyers, but also a wake-up call for anyone considering purchasing an expensive vehicle online. It is important to be well informed and, if in doubt, to take a step back so that you don't end up on your face.