Motorists urged to beware of online engine and gearbox scams

South Africans searching online for replacement engines and gearboxes are being urged to exercise extreme caution as increasingly sophisticated scammers create fake automotive businesses designed to steal thousands of rands from unsuspecting consumers.

According to the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a constituent association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), fraudsters are creating professional-looking websites and social media pages that imitate legitimate automotive businesses, often using real workshop addresses to appear credible.

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MIWA regional vice chairperson for the Eastern Cape and manager at D & T Servicing, Teresa Spenser Higgs, recently discovered that fraudsters had listed her workshop’s physical address on a fake website advertising engines and gearboxes for sale.

“We were shocked when people started arriving at our premises asking to view engines they believed we had advertised online. Fortunately, some of these customers visited us before making payment and realised they had been dealing with scammers. It immediately made us wonder how many other people had already transferred money without ever receiving anything,” said Spenser Higgs.

After investigating, she identified numerous similar websites operating in exactly the same way.

“These fake businesses are surprisingly easy and inexpensive to create. They often have matching Facebook pages, sponsored advertisements and convincing websites. To an unsuspecting buyer, they can look completely legitimate,” she said.

National director of MIWA, Pieter Niemand, said: “At this point we are not aware of exactly how widespread the problem is outside of the Eastern Cape, but these scams are particularly concerning because more motorists are turning to the used parts market as they keep older vehicles on the road for longer.”

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“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with purchasing quality used engines or gearboxes from reputable suppliers. Many legitimate businesses provide this service every day.

“The problem is that criminals are exploiting consumers’ need for affordable repairs by creating fake businesses that disappear once payment has been made,” he said.

He said consumers should never rely solely on a professional-looking website or social media presence before transferring money.

“Today’s fraudsters understand digital marketing. A polished website, Facebook page or paid online advertisement is no guarantee that the business actually exists,” said Niemand.

Niemand added that, rather than relying on any single indicator, consumers should approach every online purchase with a healthy degree of scepticism.

He advised consumers to first verify that the supplier is a genuine trading business. However, he warned that even this is not foolproof, as fraudsters may use the address of a legitimate workshop without the owner’s knowledge.

He said a genuine physical address on a website should not be regarded as proof that the seller is legitimate.

He encouraged consumers to independently verify that the business operates from the listed address and that its contact details match those of the legitimate company.

Those intending to inspect an engine or gearbox in person should only visit a location they have verified themselves and, where possible, take someone with them. If travelling is not practical, consumers should request a live video inspection before committing to a purchase, while exercising extreme caution.

Niemand also advised consumers to look beyond the seller’s website or social media pages. He urged buyers to search for independent customer reviews, request a formal invoice with the company’s registration details and be cautious if the only contact provided is a cellphone number. Above all, he advised consumers not to pay the full purchase price until they were satisfied that the supplier was legitimate.

“Unfortunately, none of these steps can guarantee that a transaction is risk-free. Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are constantly adapting their methods.

“The best protection is to remain cautious throughout the buying process, particularly if the price seems significantly lower than comparable offers. If something doesn’t feel right, rather walk away and buy through an established workshop or reputable parts supplier,” he said.

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Niemand urged consumers not to let urgency or the promise of a bargain cloud their judgement. He encouraged buyers to verify as much information as possible, ask questions and trust their instincts before making any payment.

“No single check, not even a professional-looking website or a genuine physical address, is enough on its own. A little caution upfront can prevent a very costly mistake,” he concluded.