AZE.US
Cases of fraud involving cars ordered from abroad are becoming increasingly common in Azerbaijan, with dozens of complaints reported over the past year.
One victim said he was among 86 people who were allegedly deceived, paying nearly 19,000 manats for a vehicle that never arrived. According to him, neither the car nor the money was returned.
Local media have reported numerous similar cases. Although different companies and individuals are involved, the schemes often follow the same pattern: intermediaries promise to import vehicles at prices cheaper than those available on the domestic market, attracting buyers looking for a bargain.
Experts say many victims are recruited through social media or personal recommendations. In some cases, the intermediaries do not even have a physical office. Trust is often built through acquaintances who claim they successfully purchased cars through the same people.
Legal specialists warn that informal agreements significantly increase the risk of fraud. If payments are made without proper documentation, it becomes far more difficult for victims to prove wrongdoing.
To reduce the risk of being scammed, experts recommend several precautions.
Key steps buyers should take:
-
Conduct the transaction officially and with a written contract.
-
Verify the company’s legal registration and business status.
-
Make payments via bank transfer rather than cash.
-
Request documents confirming that funds were transferred abroad to purchase the vehicle.
-
Avoid paying the full amount upfront.
Lawyers emphasize that such incidents should not always be treated as simple civil disputes. If a person takes, for example, $20,000 to purchase a vehicle but never intends to do so, the act may qualify as criminal fraud rather than a breach of contract.
Experts urge buyers to carefully check intermediaries and avoid transferring large sums without proper legal guarantees.