A new fraud method reportedly targeting citizens selling second-hand vehicles has become a hot topic on social media. The post describes how a person listing their vehicle for sale was targeted by individuals posing as buyers who accepted the price without negotiation and attempted to manipulate the seller using “safe payment” and “notary” rhetoric.
According to the account, the suspect contacted the seller and accepted the vehicle price without objection. The next day, the person called the seller, claiming they could not come to the notary due to work commitments, and suggested they would deposit a down payment via a safe payment system to initiate the process.
Shortly after this conversation, the seller was reportedly called by another number, with the caller identifying themselves as a “notary.” Allegedly, this person asked the seller to log into their banking app, send money in the amount of the deposit to a provided IBAN, and enter a code they would provide in the description field.
It was reported that the suspect tried to convince the seller by claiming the money would not leave the account but would only be secured. However, the vehicle owner became suspicious, did not proceed with the transaction, and shared their experience on social media, believing they had been subjected to a fraud attempt.
Experts remind the public that for vehicle sales, confirmation should only be obtained through official channels regarding bank transfers, deposits, and notary procedures; they advise against following instructions received over the phone or sending money to unknown IBANs. It is crucial for vehicle owners to contact the relevant institutions directly before performing any transactions in similar situations.
News Source: 12punto
