The scam spreads across Google search results and then on WhatsApp. The rental offer is tempting: a car, a late-model Panda, is available for a month for €510 plus a €120 deposit, which will be refunded upon return. The victim accepts and pays: "By instant bank transfer, thank you." The deal is done, and the money is gone.
It happened in Elmas , Manuela Palmas will go to the Carabinieri this morning to file a complaint: "I found the car rental agency's number with a simple Google search, I called, and we finalized the terms of the agreement on WhatsApp."
Then, she explains, "they sent me the details for an instant bank transfer. I made the payment and went to Elmas Airport to pick up the vehicle. There, I discovered I'd been scammed. Obviously, they stopped answering the phone and then blocked my number. It would be helpful to report what happened to me so it doesn't happen to others."
Manuela says she spoke to a certain Filippo, who actually answers even when we try to call the number. His accent sounds like southern Italy, as the woman described, but the last name we're given is different. We ask if we can rent a car for a week, and he also suggests a Panda (the alternative is a Jeep).
The price is very low: €150 plus a €400 security deposit, which will be refunded when you return the car. Insurance is included. We accept the offer: "Payment must be made by bank transfer or voucher. Send us your driving license to this number so we can get a quote. You can pick up the car at Terminal 1 ( there is only one, ed. ) at Elmas Airport."
The conversation moves to WhatsApp , the car rental company (or supposed rental company) accepts the document without even realizing it's been altered by artificial intelligence, and sends the quote. The header says "Noleggio Rent," the VAT number is attributable to a well-known car rental brand, and there's no personal information about the customer. The payment method says "instant bank transfer" addressed to a natural person.
We promise to pay, then explain that we'd just gone to the airport parking area near the arrivals area and discovered that the rental car we'd been told wasn't there. We say we checked with the police and received confirmation. At that point, the blue ticks on WhatsApp disappear: we've been blocked.
