'I'm in the Military, Shipping the Car' Scam
A too-cheap vehicle is sold by a 'deployed service member' who can't meet, uses a fake escrow, and takes your payment for a car that doesn't exist.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
A vehicle (or boat, RV) is listed well below market value by a seller who says they are deployed military and must sell fast. They cannot meet, so they route you through a fake escrow or 'shipping' service and ask for a wire or gift cards, promising delivery and a return period. There is no vehicle; the sympathetic story and discount are the hook. You wire the money and nothing arrives.
What it usually looks like
- A vehicle priced far below market.
- A seller who is 'deployed' and cannot meet.
- A fake escrow or shipping service to 'protect' you.
- Payment by wire or gift cards, with a promised return period.
Common warning signs
- A sympathetic reason the seller cannot meet.
- Prices too good to be true.
- Escrow chosen by the seller.
- Wire or gift-card payment for a vehicle sight-unseen.
Example wording scammers use
“I'm deployed overseas and must sell my truck fast. Payment goes through the shipping company's escrow; you have 5 days to inspect.”
“Send the wire to escrow and the car ships to your door with a money-back guarantee.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- A wire or gift-card payment for a nonexistent vehicle.
- To hide behind fake escrow/shipping.
- Your trust via a military story.
What to do
- Never buy a vehicle you cannot inspect in person.
- Do not use escrow the seller chose; avoid wire/gift cards.
- Verify the VIN and seller independently.
- Walk away from deployed-seller-can't-meet stories.
What to do if you already responded
- Contact your bank immediately to try to recall a wire.
- Report to ic3.gov and reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Keep all listings and messages.