Roseville police warn of ‘smoking car’ scam

(FOX40.COM) — Another car selling scam has made its way into the Sacramento area that has caught the attention of the Roseville Police Department and shares similarities with previously reported car selling scams.

Police say that when meeting with the car seller a group of people will arrive together to look at the car.

While one person chats up the seller another person goes under the hood and pours oil into the radiator tank. This causes the car to smoke upon start up and makes it appear as if the cars is damaged.

This scam is similar to what the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office reported in January where during a scheduled test drive of a vehicle the potential buyer will show up with two additional people.

Then during the test drive or the inspection, the owner is distracted and the accompanying scammers tamper with the vehicle to make it seem damaged or broken to the surprise of the seller.

Sellers who feel like anything is wrong with the transaction or unsure about the buyers should hold off on making a deal and not succumb to any pressure brought on by the “potential buyer,” according to law enforcement.

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