High-Flying Deception: How to Spot and Avoid Aircraft Transaction Scams

Buying or selling an aircraft is not like purchasing a car. Deals often involve millions of dollars, cross-border paperwork, and multiple intermediaries. Unfortunately, these same factors make the aircraft market attractive to scammers. From fake listings to fraudulent escrow services, the risks are real—and the consequences can be devastating.

Whether you’re an airline acquiring a regional jet, a leasing company handling fleet rotations, or a private operator buying your first business jet, it pays to understand the warning signs.

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The Hallmarks of an Aircraft Scam

Scams evolve with the market, but most follow familiar patterns. Watch out for these red flags:

1. The “Too Good to Be True” Listing

If a Boeing 737NG, A320, or Gulfstream is priced well below market value, pause. Scammers use unrealistic prices to generate urgency and lure in unsuspecting buyers. Real bargains do exist—distressed assets, lease returns, or part-outs—but they never bypass standard due diligence.

2. Manufactured Urgency and Emotional Stories

Pressure tactics are common:

• “I need to liquidate quickly due to divorce or bankruptcy.”
• “I’m deployed overseas and must sell immediately.”
• “We have multiple offers—decide today.”

Urgency is designed to cut short inspections, logbook checks, and escrow processes. Any seller who discourages a pre-buy inspection should raise immediate suspicion.

3. No Access to the Aircraft

A legitimate seller makes the aircraft available for viewing. Common excuses from scammers include:

• “It’s stored overseas and crated for shipping.”
• “It’s under customs control.”
• “It’s with a shipping agent and cannot be shown.”

In commercial deals, physical inspection or independent verification is non-negotiable. Never rely solely on photographs.

4. Payment & Escrow Manipulation

The financial stage is where most scams become operational:

• Fake Escrow Services: Fraudulent websites posing as escrow companies steal funds once deposited.
• Wire Transfers Only: While wires are standard in aviation, scammers insist on them without safeguards. Once sent, funds are nearly impossible to recover.
• Overpayment Tricks: In sale scams, the “buyer” sends an inflated payment, then asks you to refund the difference to a “shipping agent.” The original payment later bounces, leaving you liable.

5. Dubious Documentation

Aircraft records are central to any deal. Be cautious if logbooks, registration, or airworthiness certificates appear:

• Blurry or poorly scanned
• Inconsistent in dates, serial numbers, or signatures
• Missing service bulletins or AD compliance history

Legitimate operators and brokers maintain organized, verifiable records—a messy paper trail is a red flag.

6. Questionable Communication

• Reluctance to hold phone or video calls
• Excessive personal stories designed to win sympathy
• Poorly written emails from “brokers” or “owners” claiming to represent multi-million-dollar assets

In aviation, professionalism matters. A sloppy pitch is often a scam.

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Your Pre-Flight Checklist for Transaction Security

Protecting yourself requires discipline. Treat every step as part of your due diligence flight plan:

1. Verify the Aircraft

• Registration: For U.S.-registered aircraft, use the FAA Civil Aircraft Registry. For Europe, check EASA/EU databases. Always confirm details (make, model, serial number) match.
• Title Search: Engage a reputable aviation title company. This reveals liens, encumbrances, or legal disputes tied to the aircraft. In commercial deals, this is standard practice.

2. Demand a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI)

Never skip this step:

• Hire your own MRO or independent inspector, not the seller’s recommendation.
• Choose a facility with type-specific expertise (e.g., Rolls-Royce, GE, Pratt & Whitney engine centers).
• The inspection must include airframe, engines, avionics, and full logbook audit.

3. Verify the Seller or Broker

• Check broker licenses, references, and prior transactions.
• Confirm a physical office address and contactable references.
• Use live video calls—ask the seller to walk you around the aircraft and records in real-time.

4. Use Trusted Intermediaries

• Escrow Services: Use established, verifiable companies. Examples: AeroTitle, Insured Aircraft Title Service (IATS), or Escrow.com (for smaller GA deals). Always verify contact details independently.
• Aviation Attorneys: For deals above $1M, a specialized aviation attorney is not optional—it’s a safeguard. They handle contracts, compliance, and escrow oversight.

5. Listen to Your Instincts

If a deal feels rushed, vague, or inconsistent—walk away. Aircraft come and go, but lost funds in a fraudulent wire transfer are rarely recovered.

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What to Do if You Suspect Fraud

1. Stop Communication Immediately
2. Freeze Payments—never send funds if doubts exist.
3. Report It:
   • U.S.: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), FAA Fraud Division, FTC.
   • EU: EASA fraud reporting channels.
   • Listing platforms (Controller, Trade-A-Plane, GlobalAir, Aircraft.zone classifieds).
4. Warn the Community: Aviation forums and associations rely on shared vigilance. Posting about your experience could save someone else millions.

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Conclusion

Aircraft transactions should be exciting, not stressful. Unfortunately, where large sums of money move quickly, fraud follows. The aviation market’s global nature, reliance on digital communication, and high asset values make it especially vulnerable.

By verifying every step—aircraft identity, seller legitimacy, escrow safety, and technical inspections—you protect yourself against the most common scams.

Remember: In aviation, a good deal withstands scrutiny. A scam collapses under it.