Australian Cameron Jurd has launched RetroRides, the country’s first ID-verified classic car marketplace, after losing $16,000 to an online vehicle scam.
The platform requires all users to verify their identity through the Attorney-General’s ID Check system before buying or selling vehicles, addressing a problem that cost Australians more than $3 billion in scam losses during 2024.
Jurd says he took every precaution when making his purchase, including checking the seller’s ABN and reviewing what appeared to be a legitimate business website.
“I checked everything, the ABN, the website looked legitimate, and the person I spoke to on the phone had all the technical knowledge,” Jurd says.
“Once I transferred the payment, everything went dead. My calls were blocked, my emails went unanswered. It made me feel sick.”
When police confirmed his money could not be recovered, Jurd realised the vulnerability facing even experienced online buyers.
“I considered myself a savvy online buyer. I’d done all the right things. But the truth is, scams today are extremely well-organised and believable. These people know exactly how to build trust, until it’s too late,” he says.
Vehicle sales were among the categories hardest hit by scams in 2024, according to Scamwatch data, with fake listings and sophisticated impersonation tactics becoming increasingly common.
RetroRides targets the classic, collector and performance car market with ID verification as its core differentiator. The platform uses the same government-backed identity system adopted by major Australian institutions.
“We know people can be hesitant to share ID details online,” Jurd says. “But it’s far better than the alternative. I’d rather verify once through a secure, government backed process than risk losing thousands to a scammer.”
The platform offers free listings with Standard, Premium and Boosted options, plus a Platinum service featuring concierge support, professional photography and video production for high-value vehicles.
A key feature is free vehicle valuation data across most listings, providing real-time market insights by analysing comparable vehicles and displaying benchmark price ranges.
“This is about bringing honesty and confidence back into the market,” Jurd says. “Whether you’re buying your dream classic or selling your pride and joy, you deserve to know what it’s truly worth.”
Jurd brings more than 30 years of media and content experience to the venture, including executive producer roles on Performance Car of the Year videos and Wheels magazine’s Car of the Year announcements. He also created automotive lifestyle programme Cruise Mode, which aired for two seasons on Network Ten.
The founder describes himself as a collector with eclectic taste spanning American muscle, Australian muscle and European performance cars from the 1960s through to the 2000s.
“Our community is made up of genuine enthusiasts who just want to trade safely, and we want to make sure they can,” Jurd says.
Automobile Magazine-AU
