Styrian hands over Audi Q5 for 40,000 euros: This is how he was cheated!

Styrian hands over Audi Q5 for 40,000 euros: This is how he was cheated!

In a regrettable incident in the Bruck-Mürzzuschlag district, a 65-year-old wanted to sell his car worth 40,000 euros. He set the vehicle on an online platform, hoping to find a buyer. As the page reports 5min, an unknown buyer reported and there was an agreement on the purchase price.

However, the matter took a surprisingly tragic turn. Two men who spoke as employees of the prospective buyer appeared at the seller's address and checked the vehicle. In the assumption that the money had already been transferred, the seller spontaneously handed over the car including keys and documents to the two fraudsters. These assembled test drive marks a short time later and drove away with the Audi Q5. It was only a few days later that the seller noticed that he had fallen for a fraud and filed a complaint on June 2, 2025.

The influence of online sales

More and more people are traveling online when buying cars, which is convenient, but also carries risks. According to ADAC, fraud stitches are not uncommon on the Internet. It is astonishing that many buyers and sellers are not informed about the large number of tricks that use fraudsters to get money or vehicles. The "Safe car purchase on the Internet" Initiative has been launched to clarify consumers about uncertainties and security issues. Platforms like Mobile.de are also committed to this Enlightenment.

In the current case, the fraud not only flew up to the seller, but also the investigation by the police led to ensuring the stolen Audis, which was resold to a 22-year-old man from Upper Austria. This had acquired the vehicle in Vienna for 28,000 euros. In the meantime, the Leoben public prosecutor has ordered the return of the car. But the legal questions about the purchase contracts still have to be clarified.

tips for avoiding fraud

experts advise great caution. It is important to only hand over the vehicle, keys and papers after the actual payment of payment. The police also give several practical tips for secure online transactions. This includes being suspicious of transfer confirmations in payments via bank transfers that were only transmitted to screenshot or WhatsApp. The ADAC also expressly warns against striking immediately or paying payments at temptingly low prices.

• do not make an advance payment.
• A written purchase contract is essential.
• Wait with the transfer of the vehicle until the payment has been made.
• Check general information on purchase contracts.

The experience of this 65-year-old is an urgent indication of how important it is to follow the security guidelines when buying online. Relevant platforms and organizations such as Mobile.de and the Isak support consumers in protecting themselves from similar experiences. Further tips can be found on the pages of the ADAC that deal with fraud stitches when buying a car.

Finally, it remains to be said that a healthy distrust of selling vehicles on the Internet can work wonders. Because as the story shows, a fraudster can also hide behind every tempting ad.

Further information on the security measures when buying a car can be found on the websites of 5min , adac and