by The Emotional Hook for the Victim
If you use Facebook or Instagram, you’ve likely seen this scam. It often starts with an emotional hook. A heavy heart, a beloved family member suddenly falling ill, a move to a nursing home or hospice, and, most importantly, a family performing the painful task of downsizing assets like used cars as quickly as possible.
Next comes a neatly organized list of assets, all with prices that impress with their discounts. Imagine finding a nice 2019 Toyota Camry for $3,000 or a 2018 Honda Accord for the same amount. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to buy a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon for $5,000? How about a 2018 GMC Sierra for just $7,500?
A Polished Scheme That Draws You In
Such prices would make sense if the cars were wrecked beyond recognition, but the ads show something entirely different.
Instead, these vehicles and other items offered for sale usually look simply wonderful. And remember, it’s your friend on Facebook or Instagram selling these things. All they ask is that if you’re interested, you provide a small, fully refundable deposit.
It’s needed because this friend is out of town for a few days, and there are many interested parties. In some cases, the list of items even includes ones that are already reserved. Of course, it’s all just a scam, and it victimizes people all over the world.
When Your Account Is Hijacked
Personally, I watched this exact scheme unfold after a friend’s Facebook account was compromised last month. The scammers blocked his access, posted a fake sale in his name, and began demanding deposits via private messages. More than a week later, the post is still active, and Meta has not yet restored his account.
The scenario is horrifyingly consistent. Scammers hijack legitimate Facebook or Instagram accounts, instantly lending credibility to the post. The emotional backstory lowers caution, while a long, detailed list of items creates an illusion of legitimacy. The vehicles and equipment are priced just low enough to create a sense of urgency, but not cartoonishly fake.
Anyone who messages the account is informed that phone calls are often impossible due to hospital rules, poor reception, or unavailability. Deposits are presented as fully refundable and are typically requested via Zelle, Cash App, Apple Pay, or other non-reversible payment methods. Once the money is sent, the scammer disappears.
This is not a local problem. Versions of the same scam have been documented in the USA, Australia, Europe, and elsewhere for over a year. A post on Reddit in the r/CarsAustralia community from almost a year ago describes an almost verbatim identical scheme, down to the “out of town” justification and discounted car prices.
Facebook’s Slow Response Only Makes It Worse
The most alarming part may be how long these posts remain online. Even when friends report the scam ads, action can take days or not happen at all. While researching this article, it took only a few minutes to find five examples of the scam, with some posts dated over a year ago still active.
Meanwhile, scammers continue to collect deposits, sometimes from dozens of victims, using accounts that seem trustworthy because they belong to real people.
How to Recognize the Scheme
The conclusion here is simple: if a Facebook sales post combines an emotional family crisis, an unusually large list of high-value items, and a demand for a refundable deposit before you can see anything in person, don’t walk—run.
At the very least, contact that person since they are already your friend. If you don’t have their contact information, get it from a mutual friend and confirm the situation before sending any money.
The scale of this problem points to systemic gaps in content moderation on social platforms. The prolonged existence of such schemes, despite numerous complaints, calls into question the effectiveness of automated detection and response systems. When a real person’s account becomes a tool for criminals, it’s not just financial fraud but also an undermining of social trust, the foundation of any network. Protection against such attacks requires not only caution from individual users but also more transparent and prompt support mechanisms from the companies managing these platforms. The stories of victims often disappear in news feeds, but they are what form the overall picture of vulnerability in the digital space, where identity can be so easily stolen and used.
