AZE.US
Several people in Azerbaijan say they paid thousands of manats to purchase vehicles advertised on social media but received neither the cars nor refunds.
One buyer said he inspected a vehicle in person before paying AZN 8,500 ($5,000), along with another AZN 100 ($59) for the contract. Company representatives allegedly told him to return three days later to collect the car. The handover was then repeatedly postponed.
Another customer said he paid AZN 9,000 (about $5,294) and was also told to wait several more days. At one point, he was reportedly sent to another location after being assured that the vehicle and a company representative were waiting there.
The man said he remained at the location until the evening, but no one arrived and subsequent phone calls went unanswered.
According to the complainants, potential customers were attracted through social media videos, favorable payment terms and promises of rapid delivery. Despite signing contracts, some buyers say they have been unable to recover their money or obtain the promised vehicles.
Journalists contacted a man identified as the head of the company. He initially denied allegations that customers had been deliberately deceived, attributing the delays to operational problems.
During the conversation, he promised that one of the vehicles would arrive within approximately 30 minutes. The car, however, did not appear. When contacted again, the man said the customers’ payments had been accepted by company employees rather than by him personally and appeared to shift responsibility to a member of staff.
According to the report, some customers who eventually received vehicles later encountered additional difficulties, including alleged legal or financial restrictions affecting the cars.
One complainant said he was ultimately left without either the vehicle or nearly AZN 10,000 – approximately $5,882.
The affected customers have filed complaints with law enforcement agencies. Authorities have not yet publicly announced whether a criminal case has been opened or provided a formal legal assessment of the allegations.
AZE.US