Better Business Bureau.“Since this year alone, we’ve actually received over 260 reports and those reports are coming up to $650,000 in losses,” BBB Mainland B.C.
spokesperson Karla Laird said.The virtual vehicle vendor scam uses fake vehicles and escrow companies to steal money from unsuspecting consumers.
Fraudsters lure victims on websites like Craigslist, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace and Autotrader.Scammers often use the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse not to meet with potential buyers for safety reasons.
Instead, the victim is instructed to send money to a supposed third party to hold the funds while the vehicle is shipped to the victim to inspect.