South Africans looking for replacement engines and gearboxes online have been urged to remain cautious following an increase in sophisticated scammers who create fake automotive businesses to steal thousands.
These have become so intricate that fraudsters are creating professional-looking websites and social media pages that imitate legitimate automotive businesses.
This is according to the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), which noted that some are even using real workshop addresses to appear credible.
Teresa Spenser Higgs, MIWA Regional Vice Chairperson for the Eastern Cape and Manager at D&T Servicing, discovered that her workshop’s physical address has been listed on a fake website advertising engines and gearboxes.
“We were shocked when people started arriving at our premises asking to view engines they believed we had advertised online,” she said.
“Fortunately, some of these customers visited us before making payment and realised they had been dealing with scammers.”
Spenser Higgs investigated the situation to find out how many people had been scammed, identifying several similar websites that operate in the same way.
“These fake businesses are surprisingly easy and inexpensive to create. They often have matching Facebook pages, sponsored advertisements and convincing websites,” she said.
To an unsuspecting buyer, all of this may make these scams look completely legitimate.
Pieter Niemand, National Director of MIWA, added that the association is not aware of how widespread the problem is outside of the Eastern Cape.
He said that scams are particularly concerning as more motorists are turning to the used parts market to keep older vehicles on the road for longer.
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with purchasing quality used engines or gearboxes from reputable suppliers. Many legitimate businesses provide this service every day,” Niemand said.
“The problem is that criminals are exploiting consumers’ need for affordable repairs by creating fake businesses that disappear once payment has been made.”
Consumers shouldn’t rely solely on a professional-looking website or social media presence before transferring money, because modern fraudsters understand digital marketing.
Buying car parts without getting scammed
Rather than buyers relying on any single indicator, Niemand urged consumers to approach every online purchase with a good amount of scepticism.
His first suggestion is to start by verifying that the supplier is a genuine trading business, while remembering that even this is not foolproof.
What the D&T Servicing case demonstrates is that fraudsters may use a legitimate workshop’s address without the owner’s knowledge, which means an address on a website is not proof that the seller is legitimate.
Where possible, buyers should independently verify that the business they are dealing with actually operates from that location, or that the contact details match those of the genuine business.
If a buyer intends to inspect an engine or gearbox in person, they should do so at a verified location, rather than the seller’s address, and preferably take someone with them.
Buyers have been urged to look beyond a seller’s website and social media pages, search for independent customer reviews, and request a formal invoice with the company’s registration details.
Ultimately, parts buyers should avoid paying the full purchase price until they are satisfied that the supplier is legitimate.
“Unfortunately, none of these steps can guarantee that a transaction is risk-free. Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are constantly adapting their methods,” noted Niemand.
“The best protection is to remain cautious throughout the buying process, particularly if the price seems significantly lower than comparable offers.”
“If something doesn’t feel right, rather walk away and buy through an established workshop or reputable parts supplier.”
Urgency or a potential bargain should not cloud a buyer’s judgement, and they should instead verify as much as they can, remembering that no single check is enough on its own.
“Ask questions, trust your instincts and only make payment once you are satisfied you’re dealing with a legitimate business. A little caution upfront can prevent a very costly mistake,” concluded Niemand.
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