Wallapop users in Spain are losing money to fake scrap yard scams: buyers pay for car parts that never arrive, and legitimate businesses face reputational fallout. More than 100 authorized auto dismantling centers in Spain have filed an official complaint with Wallapop, demanding stricter controls, Noticias de Álava reported.
Scammers target popular car parts, list them at unusually low prices and use the names and details of real Centros Autorizados de Tratamiento (CAT), the official auto dismantlers known as "desguaces." Stolen photos and business information make the fake sellers look legitimate. When someone tries to buy, the scammer sends an invoice bearing the real CAT’s credentials and asks for a bank transfer. The money goes to the fraudster. The part never arrives.
The problem extends beyond classified ads. Some scammers copy entire websites of established desguaces, reproducing their logos and layouts along with contact details to create convincing fake storefronts. Buyers pay for parts through these sites, only to learn later that the real business was never involved. Reports from Marca and other Spanish media say scammers have also bought Wallapop accounts with good reputations to appear more credible. The tactic has surfaced in other online fraud cases across Spain. For legitimate companies, the fallout includes lost trust and reputational damage they did nothing to cause.
Spain’s Association of Auto Dismantlers and Recyclers (AEDRA), which represents over 600 desguaces, is pushing for change. It has given Wallapop five proposals to fight fraud: verify accounts belonging to professional or frequent car-part sellers; require CIF, contact details and CAT authorization numbers; create a dedicated category for parts from authorized CATs; quickly remove fake ads and profiles; and provide a channel for reporting suspected scams with supporting evidence.
AEDRA is not asking Wallapop to ban used car parts. Its president, Germán Catoira, wants professional sellers clearly identified and stronger controls to distinguish real CATs from fakes. AEDRA says the goal is transparency and traceability while keeping used parts available.
For buyers, the basic moment is the bank transfer. AEDRA advises checking that the seller is a real CAT and being wary of prices that seem too low. Before sending money, buyers should contact the business directly using the details on the invoice or ad. If scams continue or controls remain weak, AEDRA says it will take the issue to authorities for investigation and possible legal action.
This rise in online scams is part of a wider problem in Spain’s used-car market. Regulatory gaps have left buyers at risk before, as seen in the odometer fraud cases in the Canary Islands.
Wallapop is under pressure to act. Its response will determine whether trust can be rebuilt among buyers and honest businesses. Without effective verification and fast action, online marketplaces risk becoming a haven for scammers, hurting legitimate sellers and everyday buyers alike.
