Warning to anyone buying a used car in South Africa

• South Africans are advised to remain cautious when buying used cars in South Africa due to rising digital scams targeting buyers, particularly those using generative AI to defraud victims.
• The domestic used-car market has seen a recent surge in sophisticated digital scams, with 85% of participants in South Africa reporting encountering a scam in the past year according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance.
• Consumers are advised to prioritize accountability by transacting through established and accredited car dealerships, which provide statutory protection under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).