Warning: Beware of IBAN Scams When Buying Used Cars!
Sales in the second-hand vehicle market have come to a halt, but unfortunately, fraud has started to increase. Notaries are now taking notice of a new fraud method known as the IBAN trap. This revelation has left many people concerned about the safety of buying or selling a second-hand vehicle.
According to Vehicle Sales Representative Sercan Oktay, the scam works by having three different people involved in the transaction: the buyer, the person taking over the transfer in a notary sale, and the person sending the money. Due to the fact that most citizens do not engage in these transactions regularly, they often overlook these details. Once the notary sale of the vehicle is completed, the person who sends the money becomes the key player. Oktay stated, “The citizen complains by saying, ‘I sent you money for the purchase of the vehicle, but you did not give me the vehicle.'”
This method can be applied when both buying and selling a vehicle, making both buyers and sellers potential targets. Oktay warned, “There is a section where fraudsters are sellers. There, they are given the IBAN of a person who has nothing to do with the citizen, and somehow they receive the money into that account. The fraudulent person disappears again.”
Experts are advising individuals to thoroughly check all information between the parties involved when selling a vehicle. Oktay emphasized the importance of checking bank statements to ensure that money has arrived and to confirm the source of the funds. He cautioned, “Unfortunately, citizens are victimized here. When the day comes, he has to pay that money.”
With sales in the second-hand vehicle market at a standstill, it is important for individuals to remain cautious and diligent to avoid falling victim to this elaborate scam.
