The Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Division is warning Georgia's agricultural community to be vigilant after receiving multiple reports of sophisticated online scams targeting farmers searching for farm equipment.
Investigators have identified fraudulent schemes in which scammers create highly convincing websites and online advertisements that appear to represent legitimate farm equipment dealerships. In many cases, the dealerships themselves are real businesses; however, criminals are using artificial intelligence and other advanced technology to imitate those businesses, creating convincing websites, advertisements, emails, and communications designed to deceive potential buyers.
Victims typically locate tractors or other agricultural equipment advertised online at attractive prices. After expressing interest, they are contacted by individuals posing as dealership representatives through telephone calls or text messages. The scammers then instruct buyers to wire funds or electronically transfer money to complete the purchase. Once payment is made, the equipment does not exist or is never delivered, and the funds are often unrecoverable.
"Unfortunately, our state’s #1 industry is not immune to crime, and Georgia farmers are being targeted by online scammers.
Source : georgia.gov