A Folkestone man has warned Kent residents selling vehicles online after falling victim to a 'black oil' scam. Jay Cross, 64, was targeted by two men posing as buyers who sabotaged his Mercedes to convince him it was worthless.
The scammers visited Mr Cross's home on Ivy Way on Tuesday, January 13, after finding his 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe, valued at £12,000, for sale. Within minutes, one man distracted him while the other poured used engine oil into the water reservoir and sprayed oil across the engine bay.
When the car was started, smoke billowed out. The pair claimed the engine had blown and would cost £10,000 to replace, pressuring Mr Cross to let them tow it away for free. Suspicious, he refused, but the men harassed him for 90 minutes until he paid them £200 to leave.
The following day, a technician confirmed the engine was in good condition. However, the sprayed oil damaged Mr Cross's driveway, with builders estimating £4,500 in repair costs. The AA warned sellers to remain vigilant and have a friend present during viewings.
Kent Police received a report of criminal damage on January 13 but closed the investigation due to lack of leads. Similar scams have been reported in Gloucestershire and elsewhere.
