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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Criminal gangs target car buyers | Criminal gangs target car buyers |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Criminal gangs are duping car buyers out of millions of pounds each year by using adverts on reputable trade websites, the BBC has learned. | Criminal gangs are duping car buyers out of millions of pounds each year by using adverts on reputable trade websites, the BBC has learned. |
| The "virtual vehicle" scam also involves fake shipping websites that promise to safeguard the buyer's money. | The "virtual vehicle" scam also involves fake shipping websites that promise to safeguard the buyer's money. |
| The Metropolitan Police say 21,000 fraudulent sites were shut down in the UK last year. | The Metropolitan Police say 21,000 fraudulent sites were shut down in the UK last year. |
| The Met warn that unless buyers see the car for themselves, it is likely to be an offer that is too good to be true. | The Met warn that unless buyers see the car for themselves, it is likely to be an offer that is too good to be true. |
| According to BBC correspondent Fiona Trott, criminals will place an advert on a reputable website, like Auto Trader or E-Bay, but for a vehicle that does not belong to them. | According to BBC correspondent Fiona Trott, criminals will place an advert on a reputable website, like Auto Trader or E-Bay, but for a vehicle that does not belong to them. |
| But the ad looks legitimate and the websites themselves are none the wiser. | But the ad looks legitimate and the websites themselves are none the wiser. |
| Then, the fraudsters direct you to another website that is supposed to look after your cash until the car is shipped to you. | Then, the fraudsters direct you to another website that is supposed to look after your cash until the car is shipped to you. |
| But this one is fake and the money goes straight into their bank accounts, our correspondent added. | But this one is fake and the money goes straight into their bank accounts, our correspondent added. |
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