Driver Issues Urgent Warning After 'Black Oil' Scammers Sabotage His Mercedes
A driver from Folkestone, Kent, has issued an urgent warning to motorists selling vehicles online after falling victim to sophisticated "black oil" scammers who sabotaged his car. Jay Cross, 64, says conmen posing as potential buyers distracted him while secretly pouring used engine oil on his Mercedes in a calculated attempt to convince him the vehicle was worthless.
The Disturbing Encounter
Mr. Cross was contacted by two men who found his 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Sport, valued at £12,000, listed for sale online. They visited his home between approximately 5pm and 6:30pm on Tuesday, January 13. "They said they wanted to buy it," Mr. Cross recalled. "Within two or three minutes they asked me to move the car away from the security camera for better light, which I thought was a bit odd."
While one man distracted him by asking to inspect the boot, the other quietly opened the bonnet, poured used black engine oil into the water reservoir, and sprayed oil across the entire engine bay. When the car was started, smoke began billowing out dramatically. The pair immediately claimed the engine had blown and would cost £10,000 to replace.
The Prolonged Harassment
The scammers opened the water reservoir cap and insisted oil had seeped into the cooling system, rendering the engine beyond repair. They persistently claimed the car was worthless and pressured Mr. Cross to let them tow it away for free. Growing suspicious, he requested an AA inspection, but the men refused to leave, repeatedly arguing and browbeating him for 90 minutes.
"I didn't feel something was quite right," said Mr. Cross. "I was under pressure, I was beginning to feel really tired and it was clear that their argument was quite pressing. With the smoke, the oil everywhere, they'd managed to convince me that the engine had blown up. It was just the persistence and the argument that the car was valueless. It became almost a battle of wits. I thought the best thing I could do was just pay them off, give them some cash and ask them to leave."
The Aftermath and Expert Assessment
Mr. Cross eventually emptied his wallet of £200 cash just to make the men leave his premises. The following day, a technician inspected the silver Mercedes, which had covered just 38,000 miles and recently received a clean bill of health during servicing. The mechanic confirmed there was absolutely nothing wrong with the engine and noted the vehicle was otherwise in excellent condition.
While the car was successfully cleaned of the spilled oil, the sprayed oil caused significant damage to Mr. Cross's driveway. Builders have estimated repairs will cost £4,500 to complete. The technician warned that this particular black oil scam is becoming increasingly common across the country.
Broader Pattern of Fraud
Similar incidents have been reported elsewhere in the United Kingdom, including Gloucestershire last September. Motoring experts confirm this scam has been circulating for some time, targeting unsuspecting sellers of valuable vehicles.
An AA spokesperson provided crucial advice: "Our recommendation would be to sell your vehicle through a trusted buyer. Otherwise, we strongly advise sellers to remain vigilant during the transaction and to have a friend or relative present throughout the entire process. One effective method of reducing the chances of the oil trick occurring is to demonstrate that the oil and coolant levels are perfectly fine at the beginning of your vehicle tour. The AA also advises only permitting a test drive if the buyer can provide verifiable proof of insurance, accompanying them during the drive, and meticulously recording the contact details and registration of anyone viewing the car."
Mr. Cross emphasized his motivation for speaking out: "There is an overriding duty to warn and safeguard others who may be fooled into believing these very persuasive scammers. Anyone trying to sell a car online needs to look out for these criminals." Authorities recommend reporting any suspicion of foul play immediately to local police.
