Jay Cross, a 64-year-old driver from Folkestone, Kent, has come forward with a stark warning to anyone selling cars online after falling victim to a deceitful scheme known as the “black oil” scam. The fraudsters, posing as potential buyers, sabotaged his 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Sport by deliberately contaminating the engine to make it appear irreparably damaged.
Mr. Cross says the two men arrived at his home after spotting his Mercedes, valued at around £12,000, for sale. Over a 90-minute visit on January 13th, they distracted him, requesting to move the car away from security cameras under the pretext of better lighting. While one man occupied Mr. Cross by examining the boot, the other discreetly poured used black engine oil into the vehicle’s water reservoir and sprayed oil across the engine bay.
When the engine was started, smoke billowed out, leading the scammers to claim the engine had blown and would cost £10,000 to replace. Insisting that oil contamination had made the car worthless, they pressured Mr. Cross to hand over the vehicle for free. Despite his request for an inspection by the AA, the men refused to leave and intensified their intimidation until he reluctantly gave them £200 to make them go away.
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Thankfully, a subsequent technician check revealed the engine was in perfect condition, confirming Mr. Cross was the victim of a scam. However, the oil spill caused damage to his driveway, with repair costs estimated at £4,500.
This incident echoes similar reports nationwide, highlighting the need for sellers to be alert to such manipulative tactics. The AA advises sellers to conduct transactions through trusted buyers, keep a friend or family member present, and verify insurance and identity before allowing test drives. Demonstrating oil and coolant levels upfront can also help prevent this scheme.
Anyone suspecting foul play should report it to the authorities immediately to help protect others from falling prey to these increasingly common automotive cons.