“I should have known better.” That was how one man reacted last year after losing his hard-earned cash – EC$25,000. He had answered a Facebook ad for a car. The victim went to a meeting spot where the car was supposed to be, but instead, the supposed seller and an accomplice robbed him after he got into their vehicle.
Even though police have repeatedly warned people to be careful, many still fall for fake vehicle sale scams.
This week, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) increased their efforts to stop these scams by launching the Tell-A-Friend Campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness about vehicle scams on Facebook Marketplace.
Police say the campaign is meant to educate people about crimes happening on social media, especially on Facebook.
The RSLPF believes the problem is serious. Scammers target people by advertising vehicles that might not exist, do not belong to them, or are listed with false information. This has led the police to step in.
Police say scammers use several tricks to fool people. One is the “multiple buyers urgency”, where victims are told there is high demand and they must pay quickly to secure the car. Some scammers pretend to be customs officers selling repossessed cars. The most common scam is luring buyers to remote places to pick up a car, only to rob them.
With the “Tell-A-Friend” campaign, the RSLPF urges everyone to be careful before sending money, making deposits, or agreeing to buy a vehicle online.
The public is encouraged to tell a friend and check the deal before paying any money. Police say getting a second opinion from someone you trust, like a friend, family member, or mechanic, could help you avoid losing money.
The RSLPF also reminds people to check vehicles in person, verify the ownership documents are genuine, confirm the seller’s identity, and not let anyone rush them into paying quickly.
“If a deal appears too good to be true, it probably is,” the police said in an announcement on Tuesday.
“Tell a friend. Verify before you pay. Protect yourself from fraud” is part of the campaign message being rolled out this week.
