Ohio Buyer Scammed Out of $9,500 by Fake Online Listing for 1972 Chevy Nova

An Ohio car collector, who has devoted years to finding classic vehicles, lost $9,500 after paying for what appeared to be a cherry-red 1972 Chevrolet Nova. The September transaction initially seemed genuine but quickly fell apart.

The buyer, Brian, discovered the Nova while browsing social media for cars in Cleveland. Known for its compact two-door layout and rear-wheel drive, the 1972 Nova has long attracted enthusiasts. Engine options ranged from a 250-cubic-inch six-cylinder to 350-cubic-inch V8s in SS versions, offering lightweight performance and a sleek design that gave it muscle-car appeal, even if it didnt rival models like the Chevelle SS or GTO.

The listing featured a particularly clean example at a competitive price. The seller claimed the vehicle was located in Missouri, and everything seemed legitimate: a professional website, employee profiles, a title copy, VIN verification, and videos of the car. Convinced by the details, Brian proceeded with the purchase.

Pressure tactics emerged when the seller said other buyers were interested that afternoon and requested $10,000 to hold the vehicle, offering 2% financingan unrealistic rate. Feeling hurried and juggling work obligations, Brian wired $9,500. A driver even provided delivery updates, which abruptly stopped. The car never arrived, phone numbers were traced to disposable lines, and the bank could not recover the funds.

North Olmsted Police are investigating, but tracing wire transfers through multiple banks is challenging, and federal authorities face similar limitations unless the losses are extremely large. According to the Better Business Bureau, classic car scams result in about $45 million in annual losses, with median losses around $12,600 and some victims losing more than $36,000 on nonexistent cars.

Dealers report that scams are increasing. Fraudsters often replicate real inventory on fake sites, reducing prices to attract buyers. AI-generated images and videos are making these scams harder to detect. Experts advise inspecting vehicles in person or hiring a professional before making payments.

Brian hopes sharing his experience will prevent others from losing money on cars that only exist online.

Author: Chloe Ramirez