Deposits, wires, and the payment traps used on car buyers

Fraudsters do not need you to buy the car. They need you to send the first payment. After that, psychology does the rest: you have already committed, so the next 'customs' invoice feels smaller than walking away.

Build the paper trail before a kobo moves

• A written invoice on company letterhead, with registration number, physical address, and the VIN.
• A named corporate account that matches the invoice. Not a director's personal account 'because SWIFT is down'.
• A contract that states when title passes, who pays duty, and what happens if the car fails inspection.
• A third-party escrow or letter of credit for larger deals — especially anything you have not stood next to.

Channels that should end the conversation

Cryptocurrency, gift cards, cash-to-agent, money-transfer kiosks, and 'use my brother's account in another country' have no legitimate role in a vehicle purchase. They exist to break the recall path. If your bank cannot reverse it, do not use it for a car you have not inspected.

If you already sent money

Call your bank's fraud desk the same hour. Request a recall or hold. File a police report in your city and, if you can identify a jurisdiction, with the seller's. Save the chat, the invoice, and the SWIFT receipt. Do not send a 'final' amount to release the car — that is the second bite. Our aftercare guide covers the full sequence.