BOSTON -

In a report from CBS affiliate WBZ-TV from Boston, online car shoppers have reason to be wary. 

What WBZ reported as “thousands of used-car buyers,” may be walking right into a scam, which the FBI told the station could be the work of an international organized crime ring.

And the scammers might be working their tricks on popular shopping site eBayMotors.com.

WBZ gave the example of Ethel Allen, who had apparently gone on the site to buy her daughter a car.

And though eBayMotors.com warns shoppers not to go outside of their system to pay someone, Allen agreed to the seller’s request to send the money directly via Western Union, WBZ reported.

Then, East Bridgewater Police took pictures of the man they believe to have picked up Allen’s money.

WBZ reported it had learned police in Connecticut believe the same man could be responsible for similar crimes there.

So, where does international crime come into the picture?

FBI special agent Russ Brown, who is in charge on investigating cyber crimes in the Boston office, believes this scheme is, “Facilitated by organized crime members who are teaming up with cyber criminals. They are spending a lot of time, they have a lot of sophistication and they really work hard to identify people to victimize,” reported WBZ.

And the agent thinks a large portion of the “big” and “growing” alleged crimes begin in Romania.

“From 2010, we’ve been able to tabulate that losses have been over $15.5 million within the United States, and that only represents about 10 percent to 20 percent of the actual loss. We believe that it is much higher, and within Massachusetts we have seen over 76 individuals through the year 2010 with a loss of over $140,000,” Brown was reported saying.

Lastly, besides not agreeing to pay individuals outside a site’s system, the FBI also says consumers should watch out for cars marked way below their value, or a seller giving a hard luck story, WBZ reported.

To view the video report from WBZ, see here.