Affordable-Cars.net Scam
Affordable-Cars.net claimed to offer rare and vintage carslike classic Mustangs and Jaguars at irresistible prices. The listings were dressed up with high-resolution images, vague shipping guarantees, and an urgent tone suggesting “limited availability.” Many vehicles were advertised as repossessions or part of an estate clearance.
How the Scam Worked
A Florida-based car enthusiast came across a 1972 Mercedes SL listed at a significantly discounted price. After making contact, the seller quickly insisted that:
- The car was in “secure storage” at a logistics center.
- It couldn’t be viewed in person due to “insurance restrictions.”
- Only cryptocurrency was accepted for payment, with instructions
- He didn’t want bank because of the delay
The buyer transferred the equivalent of $54,800 USD via cypto. Within hours of payment confirmation, the seller vanished. email bounced back, and the phone line went dead. The website Affordable-Cars.net was taken offline shortly thereafter.
Why This Was a Red Flag
Key warning signs included:
- Unverifiable domain: Affordable-Cars.net was registered anonymously and only a few weeks old at the time.
- Crypto-only payment: A major red flag for online purchases—especially for physical goods like cars.
- No dealership credentials: The site lacked a physical address, license number, or corporate background.
- Too-good-to-be-true pricing: The vehicle was valued well below its market rate.
Recovery with ST9 Investigations Ltd
Luckily, the victim was referred to ST9 Investigations Ltd, a UK-based forensic recovery firm specializing in crypto scams.
Here’s how they helped:
- Blockchain tracing: Using advanced tools, ST9 traced the Bitcoin from Rypto to downstream wallets.
- Engagement with crypto exchanges: ST9 issued legal notices and collaborated with one European exchange to flag and freeze part of the laundered funds.
- Cross-jurisdictional coordination: They linked the wallet to other known fraudulent domains through cluster analysis.
- Recovery outcome: Within 6 weeks, ST9 successfully recovered 100% of the stolen amount and returned it to the victim’s personal wallet.
This case was cited internally as a strong example of why early reporting and professional crypto tracing are critical.
⚠️ Scam Risk Summary
| Risk Factor | Red Flag at Affordable-Cars.net |
| Domain Age | Newly registered, no public owner |
| Payment Method | Crypto only, |
| Buyer Protection | None—no escrow, no contracts, no paperwork |
| Inspection Refused | No test drive or physical verification |
| Post-Payment Outcome | Disappearance of seller & site |
| Recovery Option | ✅ Recovered via ST9 Investigations Ltd |
💡 Final Advice
The Affordable-Cars.net scam is a textbook example of modern crypto-enabled fraud targeting high-value emotional purchases like vintage cars. If you’re asked to:
- Pay in cryptocurrency only
- Avoid seeing the product in person
- Accept terms without a legitimate contract
If you’ve already paid and been defrauded—time is critical. File a police report, preserve all evidence, and contact a specialist like ST9 Investigations Ltd. Their crypto tracing methods are among the few proven ways to retrieve funds once they hit the blockchain.