High riskMarketplace

Online Car Shipping Scam

This scam advertises an underpriced vehicle from a seller who claims to be out of state or abroad. They arrange payment through a fake shipping or escrow service that supposedly holds your money and delivers the car, but the vehicle never arrives and the money is gone.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Vehicle sale scam
Main red flag
A cheap car from a distant seller who insists on a 'secure' shipping or escrow service you have never heard of.
What to do first
Do not send money. Be very careful of any car sale where you cannot inspect the vehicle or meet the seller in person.

What this scam usually looks like

This scam advertises an underpriced vehicle from a seller who claims to be out of state or abroad. They arrange payment through a fake shipping or escrow service that supposedly holds your money and delivers the car, but the vehicle never arrives and the money is gone.

Marketplace scams target both buyers and sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and classified listings. Fraudsters fake payments, send bogus "buyer protection" emails, push deals off-platform, or use overpayment tricks to make you ship goods or send money for nothing.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A cheap car from a distant seller who insists on a 'secure' shipping or escrow service you have never heard of. Do not send money. Be very careful of any car sale where you cannot inspect the vehicle or meet the seller in person.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Car Deposit Scam or the Fake Escrow Scam, browse the Marketplace Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that started on social media in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Top category
online shopping is consistently among the most-reported fraud types to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'I'm relocated overseas with the military, so the car is with a shipping company. Pay through their secure escrow and they will deliver it to your door within 5 days: [unfamiliar link]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A cheap car from a distant seller who insists on a 'secure' shipping or escrow service you have never heard of.

Red flags to watch for

  • A vehicle priced well below similar listings to attract quick interest
  • A seller who is conveniently 'out of state' or 'abroad' and cannot meet
  • Payment pushed through an unfamiliar shipping or escrow service
  • A story involving military deployment, divorce or moving as the reason to sell
  • No way to inspect the car or see it in person before paying

What to do

  • Insist on seeing and inspecting the vehicle in person before any payment
  • Verify the seller and any escrow service independently before sending money
  • Be cautious of prices that seem too low for the make and model
  • Run the vehicle identification number through a recognised history service

If you already clicked or replied

  • Stop any further payments to the seller or 'shipping' service immediately
  • Contact your bank or payment provider to try to recall the funds
  • Keep all messages, listings and receipts as evidence
  • Report the listing to the marketplace and to your national anti-fraud centre

What not to do

  • Do not pay for a car you have not inspected in person
  • Do not use an escrow service the seller chose without verifying it yourself
  • Do not send money by wire transfer or gift cards for a vehicle

Similar scams

High risk Marketplace

Car Deposit Scam

This scam uses an underpriced vehicle listing where the seller claims to be away and asks for a deposit or full payment through gift cards, wire transfer, or a fake escrow service before you can inspect the car.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Marketplace

Fake Escrow Scam

In a high-value marketplace deal, the other party insists on a specific 'escrow' or 'secure payment' website to hold the funds, but the site is fake and simply collects your money or card details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Marketplace

Vehicle History Report Scam

When buying or selling a vehicle, the other party insists you first get a history report from one specific website, which is set up to harvest your card details or charge hidden fees.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Why is the car so much cheaper than others?
A price well below market value is often the bait. It is commonly used to rush buyers into paying before they can inspect the vehicle or check the seller.
Is the shipping or escrow service real?
Scammers often set up fake escrow or shipping sites that look professional. Always verify any such service independently rather than trusting a link the seller provides.
The seller says they are abroad in the military. Is that genuine?
This is a common cover story used to explain why you cannot meet or inspect the car. Treat any sale that prevents in-person inspection with caution.
What if I already paid for the car?
Contact your bank or payment provider right away to try to stop or recover the funds, and report the scam to the marketplace and anti-fraud authorities.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.