Overview
- A 27-year-old private seller in Augsburg sold a Skoda Octavia to a 28-year-old used-car dealer with pre-existing damage noted in the contract.
- Days later, the buyer sent a photo showing the car in flames, claimed the recorded damage caused the fire, and demanded a full refund.
- Police say the image was apparently created with artificial intelligence and are investigating the buyer on suspicion of attempted fraud.
- The seller then found the same vehicle advertised by the dealer on an online platform appearing undamaged, according to local reporting.
- Polizei Schwaben is examining whether the AI image was used to deceive to unlawfully recover the purchase price, with the probe ongoing and no charges announced.