We hear about importing scams every month. Almost none happen on Copart or IAA themselves — those auctions are regulated. The scams happen in the gaps: fake brokers, off-platform 'private deals', and shipping middlemen who disappear with deposits.
Red flags
- Anyone asking for full payment by mobile money or crypto with no contract
- 'Insider deals' below auction value
- Photos that don't match the VIN you can verify
- A 'broker' with no registered business in Ghana
How to protect yourself
- Always verify the VIN on Copart/IAA directly
- Work with a partner that has a physical office (we're in Tema, Community 25)
- Pay in stages tied to milestones (auction, shipping, clearing)
- Get a signed agreement listing landed cost, timelines and responsibilities
Why working with a local team matters
If something goes wrong, you want to be able to walk into an office, not chase a WhatsApp number. That's the single biggest protection against scams.
