Lexus Marketplace Deal Goes South Thanks to Scam

Someone looking to purchase a Lexus IS 200T went home with neither the money nor the car.

By Brett Foote - May 19, 2023
Lexus Marketplace Deal Goes South When Car Is Stolen
Lexus Marketplace Deal Goes South When Car Is Stolen
Lexus Marketplace Deal Goes South When Car Is Stolen
Lexus Marketplace Deal Goes South When Car Is Stolen
Lexus Marketplace Deal Goes South When Car Is Stolen

Another Scam

These days, those looking to buy either a new or used vehicle must be a bit more diligent than in prior years, largely due to various types of elaborate scams people like to pull. We've seen this time and time again, with some crooks even figuring out how to create a cashier's check so realistic that it can take banks days to figure out what's really going on. However, as one Canadian shopper recently found out the hard way, you also have to worry about people selling cars, too.

Photos: Lexus

Making a Deal

It all went down in Oakville, acceding to InSauga.com, after the victim came across a for sale ad on Facebook Marketplace for a 2016 Lexus IS 200T and proceeded to contact the seller. The two worked out a potential deal, and everything seemed to be quite normal at first.

Photos: Lexus

Seems Legit

The two agreed to meet at a location on Doral Road, and wound up coming together at that precise spot. The seller proceeded to pay the owner of the Lexus $18,000 for the car, after which both got into the car and drove to another location to put plates on the vehicle.

Photos: Lexus

Big Turn

However, that's precisely when things went horribly wrong. After the buyer and seller reached their location, both got out of the vehicle, but the seller then suddenly jumped back in and took off with the Lexus and the cash the buyer had plunked down to take possession of it.

Photos: Lexus

Important Lesson

The matter is currently under investigation by the Halton Regional Police, who have a rather vague description of the suspect, but little else to go by. Thus, we should let this incident serve as an important reminder - we should always be on the lookout for potential scams when buying or selling a vehicle because they sure seem to be quite common these days.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about this scam right here at ClubLexus.com.

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