POLICE have urged online shoppers to not buy cars without sighting them first and use only secured payment portals for transactions.
The advice has come after a man lost money trying to buy a vehicle through a fake site.
A Queensland Police Media spokesperson said scammers had ripped the car’s details from an online advert and linked them to a payment page, which appeared legitimate.
The man later found spelling errors on the site on closer examination after payment.
“Unfortunately the man lost his money,” the spokesperson said.
“Be on the lookout at all times when purchasing online and if in doubt, do further research to verify the sites you purchase from and use to transfer your money.”
Western Union scam
QUEENSLANDERS who may have been the victim of a scam or lost money through Western Union have been encouraged to take action by February 12.
A police spokesperson said Western Union had agreed to pay a penalty of US$586 million to the United States’ Department of Justice (DOJ) after admitting to aiding and abetting wire fraud.
“The DOJ is using this penalty to provide refunds to eligible people worldwide who were tricked into paying scammers via Western Union between 2004 to January 2017,” the spokesperson said.
Australian consumers can find out more information and how to apply for a possible refund of money lost via a scam at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Scamwatch page at scamwatch.gov.au/news/victims-scammed-via-western-union-may-get-refund.
Detective Superintendent Terry Lawrence of the Financial and Cyber Crime Group said it was a great outcome for consumers.
“I encourage any Queenslander who has lost money in a scam involving a Western Union money transfer to visit the ACCC website and take the necessary steps to recover any funds you may have lost,” he said.
