How Can You be Safe of Car Scammers Who Deposit Fake Cheques?

Authorities warn UAE residents to exercise caution while dealing with online transactions for buying or selling cars as scammers closely monitor these websites in an effort to dupe potential buyers or dealers.

The Sharjah Police General Command alerted the public to the increased risk of fraud and theft when using websites dedicated to the sale and purchase of cars. Authorities claim that scammers are now taking advantage of the weekends and holiday periods, when banking operations are shut down, to commit fraud.

To trick the people they target into thinking the transactions are legitimate, they use fake cheques deposited at ATMs as part of their strategy. Unaware people fall for this scam as they are closing deals, only to eventually realize that they have been a target of theft and fraud.

Numerous reports of individuals being exposed to and becoming victims of fraud have been made to Sharjah Police. During official holidays, scammers use auto websites to contact their victims (sellers) and make false deals. They agree to conclude the first purchase transaction by placing a fake cheque into the seller's account.

The bank texts the seller informing him or her that "A cheque has been deposited for the agreed amount and that the deposit process is under the transaction." The seller completes the entire selling process and delivers the vehicle (to the fraudster) after getting the bank's SMS, all before getting paid. The seller discovers after the holidays that he had been the victim of financial fraud and that his car had been taken.

The Sharjah Police warned residents against falling for commercial fraud and encouraged them to take security measures.