ExAutoTrade: How Hundreds of People Became Victims of Automotive Fraud

ExAutoTrade is one of the most notorious scams in the car purchasing industry, which deceived hundreds of trusting clients. Under the guise of a reliable company, the fraudsters offered cars at “great” prices, using fake documents, false reviews, and psychological pressure. Let’s take a closer look at how this scam worked and how to avoid similar situations.

1. Unrealistically Low Car Prices The main “hook” of ExAutoTrade was offering cars at prices that seemed too good to be true. On the company’s website, ads featured vehicles with prices significantly lower than the market rate. In reality, these cars existed only in photos stolen from other resources. The fraudsters convinced clients to make an advance payment to “reserve” the car and disappeared after receiving the money.  Tip: If the price is too low, it’s a clear red flag. Reliable sellers never offer cars at prices far below market value.

2. Fake Cars and Forged Documents ExAutoTrade actively created the illusion of a large selection of cars. Clients were offered “exclusive” deals and supposedly official documents for the vehicles, which were meant to convince them of the company’s legitimacy. However, all these offers and documents turned out to be fake. The buyer transferred money for a non-existent car and was left without funds and without the car.  Tip: Verify the authenticity of documents and the company through official sources. Reliable organizations operate transparently and provide genuine documents.

3. Avoiding Bureaucracy: Another Deceptive Tactic ExAutoTrade scammers cleverly played on clients’ desire to avoid the complexities of paperwork and customs clearance. They promised to complete the deal without “unnecessary formalities,” which seemed like an attractive offer. In reality, this was a way to cover their tracks. The absence of official documents meant clients had no proof of the transaction and no way to recover their money.  Tip: Never agree to simplified deals without proper documentation. Documenting all stages of the transaction guarantees your safety.

4. Prepayment Without Guarantees A key element of the scam was the advance payment. Clients were persuaded to pay money to “reserve” the car or cover transport costs. After receiving the funds, the fraudsters disappeared instantly. Neither the money nor the promised cars ever returned to the customers.  Tip: Only send money when you are completely confident in the company’s reliability. Use payment methods that protect your funds.

5. Fake Reviews: Creating an Illusion of Reliability ExAutoTrade actively worked on creating a positive image. On the company’s website and social media, there were glowing reviews supposedly from satisfied customers. However, most of these reviews were written by fake accounts or people working for the scammers. Real victims were ignored, and their reviews were disregarded.  Tip: Trust reviews only from independent sources. Fake comments often seem too perfect and do not reflect the real experience of clients.

6. Empty Promises of Fast Delivery Another tactic to lure clients was the guarantee of lightning-fast delivery. ExAutoTrade assured buyers that the car would arrive shortly after payment. In practice, this promise was never fulfilled. The money disappeared, as did the scammers, leaving clients completely in the dark.  Tip: Demand precise delivery information and supporting documents for the transport. Reliable companies provide detailed delivery information.

7. Constantly Changing Websites To cover their tracks, the fraudsters behind ExAutoTrade regularly changed domains. When the reputation of their website was tarnished by numerous complaints, they launched a new site with the same design and promises. Clients, unaware of this, continued to fall into the trap. The last known domain used by the scammers was exautot.com.  Tip: Before working with a company, check the age of its website, reviews, and domain history. This will help you avoid scammers.

8. Attractive Facade Hiding the Deception The ExAutoTrade website appeared professional and trustworthy. It featured high-quality photos, detailed service descriptions, and many promises. However, behind this facade were fraudsters. As soon as clients sent money, communication with the company ceased.  Tip: Don’t rely solely on the appearance of a website. Check the company’s information on independent resources and demand official confirmations.

ExAutoTrade Scammers’ Contacts: • Instagram: instagram.com/ex_trade_auto
• Instagram: instagram.com/ex_auto_trade
• Telegram: t.me/exautotrade
• Phone numbers:
+359 243 724 10
+359 87 754 5092
• Email: [email protected]

---

Conclusion ExAutoTrade is a classic example of how scammers exploit people’s naivety and trust. They create the illusion of a great deal using fake documents, fraudulent reviews, and false promises. To avoid falling victim to similar schemes, always verify the company you’re dealing with, never make advance payments without guarantees, and pay attention to the smallest suspicious details. Remember: real car businesses operate transparently and don’t promise the impossible. Spread information about such scams to protect yourself and others from fraudsters!