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A LUXURY car salesman has found himself in hot water after a number of drivers lost thousands in an alleged online scam.
The dealer is accused of defrauding drivers out of more than $76,000 across several dodgy deals.
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Sadaf Farooq operated a fake business called Aponic Leasing in the Greater Toronto Area, according to Peel Regional Police.
The Brampton resident advertised offers for several luxury vehicles on social media platforms through the summer of 2023.
Prospective customers were asked to put down sizeable deposits in advance of the cars being delivered.
But they claim that Farooq never handed over the vehicles, leaving them thousands of dollars out of pocket.
One buyer even reported that they met the dealer at a physical car dealership to agree a sale.
Cops allege that this site was unaffiliated with Farooq’s business and that he posed as an employee there to scam the driver.
The 30-year-old was arrested on October 1 and has been charged with defrauding the public and possessing property obtained by crime.
He is set for a hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice at an unconfirmed future date.
However, investigators are working under the assumption that more victims are out there.
Anyone who believes they may have been affected or who have any information is asked to contact the Fraud Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext. 3335.
You can also report information anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers on 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.
Officers have also shared a selection of tips on how to protect yourself from similar hustles in future.
They urge anyone buying a vehicle online to:
- Beware of vehicles that can only be viewed or inspected after purchase.
- Travel to see a vehicle located remotely—don’t rely on pictures or a convincing website. If you can’t travel to see the vehicle, hire an appraiser or mechanic to inspect it. Ensure the vehicle exists and the seller is who they claim to be.
- Check with state or provincial regulators/authorities to ensure a dealer is legitimate and properly licensed.
- Purchase a vehicle history report for the vehicle—don’t simply rely on a report provided by the seller; it can be altered.
- Don’t wire money or provide a credit card number without doing all your homework.
- Beware of sellers who want to close the deal as quickly as possible.
It comes after a driver found himself a much better used car deal after snagging a broken-down VW for $1,000, only to find it just needed a $4 to get back on the road.
