A Virginia man is speaking out after losing thousands of dollars in a fraudulent online car sale, hoping to prevent others from falling victim to similar scams. Jeffery Carr had spent years saving to buy a classic car—a dream he had nurtured since his teenage years. “I feel like I’ve been kind of striving for this ever since, you know, I was able to drive,” Carr said, recalling how his father had collected classic cars.
When he came across a listing from an alleged car broker in the Cleveland area, it seemed like fate. The vehicle was the same model as his father’s first car, and at $22,000, it was significantly cheaper than the usual $50,000 market price. The broker provided what appeared to be legitimate documents, including contracts via DocuSign, a bill of sale, company records, as well as numerous convincing photos.
Confident in the deal, Carr took out a loan and wired the funds. But when the delivery date arrived, the car never showed. “I took the day off work thinking this was going to be a miracle day, and it never showed,” he recalled. “I must have emailed and called them 100 times that day, and it was just total radio silence.” Shortly after, the broker’s website vanished—along with Carr’s money. He was forced to withdraw from his 401(k) to cover the loss.
Carr’s experience is not unique. Local automotive professionals warn that these types of scams are becoming more sophisticated. Abe Hamed, owner of Inshi Automotive, says buyers must be extra cautious. “It’s a very critical thing to speak with or meet the seller directly. Try to deal with cash,” Hamed advised.
He recommends researching sellers thoroughly, checking reviews, and searching their name online. Another red flag is when a seller posts multiple ads for the same car. Hamed encourages potential buyers to ask themselves one simple question: “Why is this a scam?” rather than assuming it’s legitimate.
Even the smallest details in listing photos can reveal inconsistencies. “If you look at photo backgrounds, you’ll say… hey, why are there mountains in the background? We’re in Ohio—there’s not mountains in Ohio,” Hamed pointed out.
Experts emphasize the importance of verifying a vehicle’s authenticity before making any payments. Buyers should request key documents, such as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and title, and run a history report through services like Carfax. Though these reports may cost a small fee, Hamed argues they are a worthwhile investment. “I’d rather lose $40 than $20,000. You take the $40 as a blessing,” he said.
Carr has yet to track down the fraudster who scammed him, but he hopes sharing his story will serve as a warning to others. Reflecting on the ordeal, he offered a hard-learned lesson: “I guess, you know, in summation, [it’s] the old saying, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.”