Approximately fifty individuals have fallen victim to a sophisticated scam on the online platform Leboncoin, resulting in financial losses of around 1.5 million euros. The scam involved a fake car dealership, Mondial Auto 42, which appeared legitimate through its professional website and positive reviews. Victims, including a student and a professional, lost significant sums after making deposits. Despite evidence, the online bank Qonto has refused to reimburse the victims, who are now banding together to seek justice.
Victims Fall Prey to Elaborate Scam on Leboncoin
Approximately fifty individuals have been duped by a well-organized scam that unfolded on the online classified ads platform, Leboncoin. The total financial loss from this fraudulent activity has reached an alarming 1.5 million euros.
Identifying Red Flags in Online Transactions
There’s a common adage that warns, “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” However, when an offer appears entirely legitimate, how can potential buyers avoid falling into a scam? This dilemma faced Jean, who was scouring Leboncoin for a pre-owned vehicle.
During his search, he came across an enticing listing from a supposedly certified professional account named Mondial Auto 42. Jean conducted thorough research, confirming that the company had a functional website, positive reviews, and a registered Siret number. To verify authenticity, he even called the contact number provided and spoke to a salesperson with a distinct Southern accent, further convincing him that Mondial Auto 42, based in Nîmes, was a legitimate business.
The company touted its credibility, claiming to specialize in exporting vehicles from Germany and Spain, all in impeccable condition. They boasted seven years of operation and impressive revenue figures from vehicle import-export activities. Feeling reassured, Jean proceeded with the transaction. He received an order form detailing the vehicle, alongside a document that allowed for a cancellation within 14 days, along with the company’s banking information.
After confirming that the bank account belonged to the reputable online bank Qonto, Jean felt secure enough to place a deposit of 20%, totaling 7,000 euros, and received the vehicle’s chassis number.
However, just two days before the scheduled delivery, communication from Mondial Auto 42 ceased entirely. The phone went unanswered, the voicemail was full, and Jean soon realized that the seller’s advertisements had vanished from Leboncoin. Recognizing he had been scammed, he promptly filed a report at the Toulouse central police station, only to discover that he was far from alone in this unfortunate situation.
Currently, there are reports of fifty victims scattered across France, including four in Toulouse and additional individuals in regions such as Hérault, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and beyond. Among the victims, one professional reportedly lost 130,000 euros, while a student invested her entire savings of 15,000 euros into a vehicle. The scam’s timeline spans from December 2024 to January 2025.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, Qonto has refused to reimburse the victims. The total amount stolen is estimated at around 1.5 million euros, with the scammers managing to close their account and vanish. Victims like Jean and others have sought recourse through Qonto, only to encounter obstacles. Marie-Ange, another victim who lost nearly 27,000 euros, shared her frustration: “The institution refuses any refund without justification.”
Initial investigations suggest that the perpetrators may be part of an organized group operating from Spain, where many of the vehicles were reportedly located in Barcelona. To enhance their credibility, the scam ring even created fake registration certificates for some of the vehicles.
In response to their ordeal, the fifty victims have united as a collective and are preparing to present their case to the Toulouse prosecutor’s office. They come equipped with compelling evidence, including photographs of six sales representatives from Mondial Auto 42 and the CEO, identified as Razvan Salason, who allegedly took control of the company 18 months ago. One can only hope that these images are not mere AI-generated creations.