Once a potential buyer showed interest, they’d be asked to switch the conversation to a messaging app.
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If a car deal online looks too good to be true, it probably is.
That’s the lesson learnt by at least 175 people across Spain, after falling victim to a highly organised scam that promised cheap second-hand vehicles, then vanished with their money.
Spanish Police have now dismantled a full-blown criminal network running a fake car sale operation like a 24/7 call centre.
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Twelve people have been arrested in Madrid, including the ringleaders. Officers seized over €73,000 in cash, fake weapons, dozens of phones, and even luxury goods bought with the stolen money.
24/24: A scam that never slept
This wasn’t your average fraudster behind a keyboard. The gang worked in shifts around the clock, using 69 different phone lines to handle calls from would-be car buyers.
From the outside, it looked like a real business: quick responses, contracts, even multiple “staff” calling you from different numbers.
But it was all fake.
How the scam worked
They posted ads for cars at bargain prices on popular second-hand platforms, using photos and details of real vehicles, but without the owners knowing anything about it.
Once a potential buyer showed interest, they’d be asked to switch the conversation to a messaging app (often WhatsApp). There, the scammers would request a deposit to reserve the car, along with a photo of the buyer’s ID, claiming it was to “prepare the sales contract.”
To make the scam feel more legit, victims were sent documents — like copies of supposed ID cards or contracts — all of which were just recycled from earlier victims.
And if someone got suspicious? The scammers didn’t stop. In some cases, they even threatened to commit fraud using the victim’s stolen ID.
60 bank accounts, electronics and luxury watches
The scam ran like a business empire, with Spanish Police discovering a pyramid-style structure: at the top were eight leaders, supported by layers of people who helped collect and move the stolen funds.
They used more than 60 bank accounts to hide the money trail and bought electronics, luxury watches, and gold to launder the profits.
On May 20, police raided 13 properties in Madrid (in Alcala de Henares, Torrejon de Ardoz, Anchuelo, and Cobeña), arresting 12 suspects and uncovering a small fortune in electronics, vehicles, and fake weapons.
So far, €380,000 in damages has been confirmed, but the number could rise as the investigation is still ongoing.
What you should watch out for
This scam worked so well because it looked and sounded legitimate, and the prices were just low enough to tempt people into acting quickly.
Here are a few red flags to keep in mind when buying a car (or basically anything) online:
- If it’s too cheap, ask why. Unrealistically low prices are a huge red flag.
- Never send money upfront just to “reserve” a vehicle.
- Don’t share your ID photo until you’ve verified who you’re dealing with.
- Beware of switching to private messaging apps, especially if they avoid official platforms.
- Always double-check the ownership of the vehicle (ask for original paperwork, verify registration).
The victims thought they were just buying a used car — instead, they walked straight into a scam that was built to look professional and trustworthy.
Unfortunately, fraudsters are getting smarter. It’s our duty to remain sceptical and aware, so we can stay ahead of them.