LAKE WALES, Fla. - Bid Chasers, which lists its address as 237 Eagle Ridge Mall Ent, Lake Wales, FL 33859, US, is a scam. A buyer reported wiring $11,000 for a 2016 Bobcat 5600 and receiving no machine.
The listing claimed a late model Toolcat with low hours, an enclosed climate-controlled cab, a front bucket and a hydraulic dump bed - features that matter to buyers seeking a versatile work machine and a full value transaction that never produced a unit.
The listing
The seller's published description advertises a 2016 Bobcat Toolcat 5600 with 2,982 operating hours, four-wheel steering, a 60-inch bucket and a hydraulic dump bed. The page lists a four-cylinder diesel engine, a hydrostatic transmission, an enclosed cab with air conditioning and heat, and auxiliary hydraulics and electrical outlets. The asking price listed was $11,000 and the posting includes the phrase "Paid transportation can be arranged directly to the buyer’s location." The listing also gives the machine location as Dakota, Minnesota.
What made the advertisement attractive was the combination of model year, reported hours and attachments: a late-model Bobcat with under 3,000 hours, a front bucket and a hydraulic dump bed. The text suggested the machine was ready for property maintenance, material handling, landscaping or construction use, and the low price and transport offer would appeal to buyers wanting a turn-key purchase.
How the sale unfolded
According to the buyer's account, the listing was found while searching online for a Bobcat Toolcat to replace an aging unit. The buyer compared machines and found the 2016 5600 appealing because of the hours, attachments and the price. The buyer reported contacting the seller through the listing's published contact details and discussing the machine in general terms.
The buyer reported agreeing to pay the posted price and then sent $11,000 by bank wire to complete the purchase. The payment method and the full amount sent are described in the buyer's account; the buyer chose to transfer funds before taking possession of the equipment.
After the transfer, the buyer said they expected the machine to be transported to their location under the listing's transport arrangement. The buyer waited for the machine to arrive and for any pickup or delivery confirmation referenced in the listing.
When the machine did not arrive, the buyer reported that they were unable to obtain the equipment. According to the buyer's account, $11,000 was sent by bank wire and no unit was delivered.
What the website shows
The homepage and listing pages advertise auctions and direct sales of cars, trucks, tractors and heavy equipment under the Bid Chasers name. The site publishes a Lake Wales street address, a phone number of +18632718613 and an email of sales@bidchasers.com as points of contact.
Public registration information lists the domain as registered on Sept. 21, 2026 with HOSTINGER operations, UAB; the registration date makes the domain only days old at the time of the buyer's report. The site does not publish dealer licensing or Department of Transportation credentials, and the listing gives a separate machine location of Dakota, Minnesota rather than a visible yard or lot tied to the Lake Wales address.
How these schemes work
Government consumer agencies warn that some listings will advertise late-model, low-hour machines with attachments and an attractive price and will be hosted on recently created domains. Those warnings note that paying the full amount before seeing equipment in person removes common protections buyers rely on when assessing condition and provenance.
That pattern is reflected in the facts reported here: the listing claims a late-model Bobcat with specific hours and attachments for $11,000, and the domain was created only days before the listing appeared. According to the buyer's account, the buyer sent full payment and the machine never appeared.
If you sent money
Buyers who transferred funds by bank wire in similar circumstances should contact their financial institution about whether a recall or reversal of the transfer is possible and preserve every message, invoice and receipt related to the transaction. Keep a copy of the listing URL and any contact details published on the site.
Report the incident to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov and to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and include the domain and the listing link when you file your complaints.
