Jay Cross, a 64-year-old driver from Folkestone, Kent, has issued a warning to other motorists after falling victim to a car scam dubbed ‘black oil’. This scam involved two men who posed as potential buyers of his 2014 Mercedes, which was listed for sale online. During their visit, they distracted Mr. Cross and secretly poured oil into the car's engine, a tactic aimed at devaluing the vehicle and persuading him that it was worthless.

The harassment lasted for over an hour and a half, during which time Mr. Cross felt pressured to hand over £200 to the scammers just to make them leave his property. He expressed concern that other individuals selling cars online might be deceived in a similar manner and urged caution. Mr. Cross emphasized the need for awareness and vigilance when dealing with car sales to avoid falling for such persuasive tricks employed by scammers.

This incident raises broader concerns about the safety and security of online car sales, highlighting the increasing prevalence of scams targeting unsuspecting sellers. It serves as a reminder for sellers to be cautious, take necessary precautions, and adequately vet potential buyers to avoid becoming victims of similar scams in the future.