Fake bank transfer when selling a car

In one real case, a man contacted a vehicle seller and claimed to have connections to Spain while currently being in Tallinn. His questions about the car, its condition and the price initially appeared completely normal.

He later travelled to Tartu with a woman to inspect the vehicle. They looked at the car, spoke with the seller and said they liked it but wanted to inspect another vehicle before making a decision.

Later that evening the situation suddenly changed. The buyer said he urgently needed to leave and wanted to purchase the vehicle immediately. He then sent an image intended to prove that part of the money had already been transferred.

The remaining amount was supposedly going to be paid later in Tallinn. The seller checked their own bank account and no payment had arrived. The vehicle was not handed over, and the buyer subsequently disappeared.

The strength of the scheme is not necessarily the quality of the fake payment confirmation. The psychological situation created beforehand is often much more important.

The seller has already met the buyer. The car has been inspected and the price agreed. Mentally, the seller may already consider the transaction complete.

Urgency is then introduced. The buyer suddenly needs to leave, travel to another city or gives another reason why the transaction must be completed immediately.

A screenshot on the buyer's phone, PDF document or email should not be treated as proof that you have received payment.

If money is being transferred to you, always check your own bank account. The vehicle, keys and documents should only be handed over once the agreed amount has actually arrived.

Another warning sign is a sudden change to previously agreed payment terms.

For example, the buyer may propose paying half today and half tomorrow, taking the car immediately while the payment arrives later, or paying the remaining amount in cash in another city.

This does not automatically prove fraud, but there is no reason for the seller to take on financial risk caused by the buyer's payment arrangements.

The vehicle should not leave before the money is in your account.

Not a screenshot. Not a promise. Not a notification displayed on the buyer's phone. The money must actually be credited to your own bank account.