"Launch Automotive" has to be a scam, right?

[B_Wagon136]

Listings don't say anything about salvaged titles here. Absent that, prices seem too good to be true (and I bet they are) - anybody dealt with Launch Automotive before?

Some half-assed internet research doesn't inspire confidence. I initially found this dealer after the blue model appeared on Auto Trader and had a "verified" tag on it (I have sold on AutoTrader myself and they typically have a good process of verifying title, etc), but Auto Trader seems to have removed that listing from their site now.

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[seanocono]

If a deal is too good to be true, it usually is.

 

[DeafPug]

Yeah, scam of some sort - they don’t have a vehicle, it’s a salvage one that is broken, will sell you a Matchbox toy instead of a driveable vehicle, etc…

 

[csharp]

All of their reviews are within the last week.
The physical address doesn't exist. It IS an office building, but suite 51 which is what they claim, doesn't exist.
Domain was registered about a month ago.


Definitely a scam.

 

[DeafPug]

Biggest indication it’s a scam: the listing says the vehicle includes Apple CarPlay!!!!

 

[NeedSumCoffee]

Launch Automotive went out of business 2 months ago. Their actual website was launchautos.com. The website launch-autos.com is a scam. It is common for scammers to run a script to essential copy a website, then create a fake version of it. Doing a who.is lookup of the fake website, it was literally created a month ago in hong kong.

 

[PappaBolt]

It is common for scammers to run a script to essential copy a website, then create a fake version of it. Doing a who.is lookup of the fake website, it was literally created a month ago in hong kong.

I used to wonder why these scammers put so much energy into faking this stuff, but it clearly works on some and prolly took 10 mins to clone with ChatGPT. The dark arts of AI.

 

[NeedSumCoffee]

I used to wonder why these scammers put so much energy into faking this stuff, but it clearly works on some and prolly took 10 mins to clone with ChatGPT. The dark arts of AI.

Takes very little effort to set up these scams. It’s extremely common in the whiskey/bourbon world. Nearly every popular online liquor retailer will have several fake variations of their website name to trick people.

 

[Greg Chick]

We are in the Con/scam/lie age. Emptor!

 

[JM.]

I have access to unlimited phone numbers, addresses, IPs, etc. So I got in touch with them and will see how the scam goes.

 

[PappaBolt]

ImIt’s extremely common in the whiskey/bourbon world.

I need to build the bourbon rocket and fly over to this world.

 

[NeedSumCoffee]

I have access to unlimited phone numbers, addresses, IPs, etc. So I got in touch with them and will see how the scam goes.

Any vehicle you want, they will reply and say there is a lot of interest on it and urge you to put down a deposit to hold it. Once they get the deposit, they will stop responding to your emails and disappear.

 

[JM.]

Any vehicle you want, they will reply and say there is a lot of interest on it and urge you to put down a deposit to hold it. Once they get the deposit, they will stop responding to your emails and disappear.

No calls or emails yet. Maybe they've already been shut down? Maybe it's not working hours in Pakistan? But yeah, I work with IT security and am familiar with the scams, I was curious which way this would go.

Steam gift cards?

BTC?

I often conference call multiple scammers and put them in a room to scream at each other. Hilarity ensues.

 

[gravitype]

i almost bought something from them because it was a great deal. The sales guy (over email) even promised 7 day returns no questions asked once its shipped. Missed their call so didn't get to talk to anyone over phone, just emails. From my research, Launch autos used to exist as a legit business but looks like they closed down couple years ago and now it might he some scam. I tried to contact the previous owner based on some quick google search to see if he reopened or sold business to someone but couldn't get his email or phone. So i didn't followup. Anyway glad i didn' t act on it.

 

[ndmiller]

Pay them in Switch 2 reorder places in line.

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