A screenshot of what the Hugheses thought was a Kia Rio 2015 Hatchback Sportiva on Gumtree.
Camera IconA screenshot of what the Hugheses thought was a Kia Rio 2015 Hatchback Sportiva on Gumtree. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Meadow Springs couple fall victim to Gumtree car scam

Victoria RificiMandurah Coastal Times

A MEADOW Springs couple claim they have been scammed out of $6000 after purchasing a stolen car off Gumtree.

Joel Hughes and his wife Krystal found a Kia Rio 2015 Hatchback Sportiva car advertised online with low kilometres for $6500 on December 11.

The couple, who were recently living in British Columbia in Canada, needed a new car to suit their family and 18-month-old daughter Amelia Hughes.

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They negotiated a $6000 price for the car, met up with the sellers and paid them in cash.

Mr Hughes said it wasn’t until he got home alarm bells went off.

“We met up with them and it seemed fine at the time but we didn’t do a REVS (Register of Encumbered Vehicles) check beforehand,” Mr Hughes said.

“I also checked the engine when I got home and it was a 2017 model not a 2015 as advertised.”

After doing a REVS check of the car, the couple found the car had been stolen.

“I took it down to the police station and they did a check and apparently found it was owned by a hire company,” Mr Hughes said.

“I cant believe we fell for it because it was so obvious.”

The car is no longer in the hands of the couple and back with the hire company.

“At the time we had just flew in from Canada so we definitely weren’t thinking straight,” Mr Hughes said.

“We have very little chance of getting our money back.”

Mr Hughes said he will be more wary next time he purchases anything off Gumtree.

“It makes me angry thinking about it,” he said.

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