OMVIC warns of Oklahoma car sales scam


The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) is warning Canadian dealers that high-end, late model vehicles at prices too good to be true found on Canadian used-vehicle sites could be part of a bogus scam.

The warning comes straight from the Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle and Parts Commission (UMVPC) and concerns a company called Ambient Auto Center of Oklahoma City.

UMVPC alleges that Ambient advertises on the Canadian sites of Autotrader, Wheels, E-bay, Craigslist, Kijiji and Autocatch offering high-end late model vehicles at prices that may be too good to be true.

“We have received numerous enquiries about this operation. Their website became active in October and yet they are not a licensed dealer,” UMVPC Investigator John Cobb said in a statement. “From what we have seen thus far, all their advertising is targeting Canadians.”
 


A review of Ambient Auto Center’s website finds claims of “hundreds of used exotic vehicles” for sale and “award-winning service” and they offer to “ship world wide” (sic). Cobb said the dealer has no physical presence and that the advertised address for this supposed extensive dealer operation is in fact an empty cornfield next to a warehouse owned by the State of Oklahoma.

“We are making this information public to stop this scam from finding a victim”.
 


OMVIC also strongly cautions Ontarians about buying vehicles remotely, whether privately, or from a dealer in another state or province.

According to Terry O’Keefe, OMVIC manager of communications and education, OMVIC and Ontario’s consumer protection laws only protect Ontarians when they buy from an Ontario-registered dealer.

“If consumers buy privately and something goes wrong, they are basically on their own,” OMVIC said, adding that if a consumer buys from a business in another province or state and then need help, they will have to utilize the regulatory body, if any, in the jurisdiction where they bought the vehicle. 



Oklahoma’s UMVPC would like to hear from any consumers who have dealt with Ambient Auto Center. They can be reached at 405-521-3623.