Volkswagen has issued urgent warnings to buyers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, urging them to contact law enforcement if they’ve encountered fake used car websites. The scams involve highly realistic, Volkswagen-branded sites that trick customers into sending money for vehicles that don’t exist. This isn’t an isolated incident; similar fraudulent schemes have been reported globally, including in the United States, and are becoming increasingly common.
The Scam’s Mechanics
The fake websites mimic official Volkswagen sales platforms, displaying attractively low prices to lure potential buyers. These sites use counterfeit contact details—fake email addresses, phone numbers, and bank account information—to collect payments for nonexistent cars. Volkswagen’s official statement explicitly warns residents of the affected countries about this deception, advising anyone defrauded to immediately report the incident to local authorities.
A Recurring Problem
This isn’t the first time Volkswagen has had to warn its customers. Similar alerts were issued in mid-2025, following warnings from other luxury automakers like Mercedes and Audi. The persistence of these scams suggests a growing trend of sophisticated online fraud targeting car buyers.
US Warnings Echo the Issue
In Wisconsin, state officials reported a nearly identical scheme last year. Scammers create fake dealership websites featuring stolen stock images or photos of legitimate Wisconsin dealerships to appear trustworthy. These fake listings typically offer vehicles at prices significantly below market value, enticing victims to send money before realizing the scam.
“The fraud scheme starts online as a fake storefront,” explained Maura Schifalacqua, Chief of the DMV Dealer and Agent Section in Wisconsin. “An individual creates a website or a social media profile claiming to be a Wisconsin dealership…However, there is nothing legitimate about it.”
Why This Matters
The rise of these scams highlights the increasing sophistication of online fraud. The fact that automakers are now directly warning customers underscores the severity of the problem and the difficulty in stopping these operations. The persistence of these schemes suggests that scammers are adapting quickly, making it harder for both authorities and consumers to stay ahead. The best defense remains vigilance: if a deal appears too good to be true, it likely is.
Consumers must remain cautious when purchasing vehicles online and verify the legitimacy of dealerships before sending any payments. This is not merely an inconvenience; it’s a direct financial threat that requires increased awareness and reporting to prevent further exploitation.
