Brazil: Online vehicle scams target residents via Facebook Marketplace

Two separate incidents of online vehicle scams involving Facebook Marketplace advertisements have been reported in Brazil.

In Barretos, a 43-year-old man fell victim to a fraudulent car advertisement. After communicating with an individual posing as a seller, the victim transferred R$ 1,000 via Pix to cover alleged notary and transport expenses. The scammer subsequently requested additional funds, claiming the vehicle had mechanical issues, prompting the victim to cease payments and report the incident to the police.

In São José do Rio Preto, a 75-year-old retiree lost R$ 13,000 in a similar scheme. The victim was lured by an advertisement for a pickup truck priced significantly below market value. The fraudsters posed as representatives of an auto auctioneer, claiming the vehicle was being sold due to previous owner delinquency. After making three Pix transfers based on fraudulent documents, the victim became suspicious when asked for an additional R$ 7,000 for administrative fees. Local authorities are investigating the bank account holders involved.