I Flew To Houston to Buy a Ford F-150, It Was An Elaborate Facebook Marketplace Scam Says Sheriff’s Office, I’m Out Thousands of Dollars and the Truck

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. 

Facebook Marketplace has become popular for buying and selling cars and trucks. I recently sold my 2014 Subaru Outback on the website. It's also a breeding ground for scams to take unsuspecting buyer's money. 

Imagine flying from Denver, Colorado, to Houston, Texas, to get a great deal on a Ford F-150 pickup. You pay for the truck with cash and drive back to your home in Eagle County, Colorado, only to find out the truck is stolen. 

A report from 11 News in Colorado Springs says the Eagle County Sheriff's office in Colorado says buyers need to be aware. 

Here is what happened to this truck buyer.  

"An elaborate Facebook Marketplace vehicle scam has left one local without the significant money paid to purchase a vehicle, and the vehicle itself this holiday season," the Sheriff's office began a message to residents.

The scam involved a stolen truck, forged documents, and a cloned tracking device, making it a sophisticated and well-planned operation.

According to the Eagle County Sheriff's office, the trouble started for the victim when he saw an ad for a pickup on Marketplace. The report did not say what the truck was, but the Ford F-150 is the most stolen vehicle in America, so it was likely the popular F-150. 

The Sheriff said the victim told them, "I ultimately flew to Houston, Texas, to make the purchase. I met with a real person to exchange the documents, which appeared to be legitimate. I initially checked out, and then I paid cash for the truck. The seller only had one key fob and told me the other had been lost." The buyer, despite the missing key fob, trusted the transaction.

The buyer said there weren't any red flags. 

11 News reports that despite the truck's missing key fob, the transaction went off seamlessly, and the victim drove the truck from Houston back to Colorado, "not sensing any red flags." That changed when the victim went to register the new vehicle in Eagle County, where he lives. 

"That's when the truth began to unravel," said the Sheriff's office. The buyer was shocked to discover the truth.

According to the report, the Eagle County Clerk and Recorder's Office spotted something suspicious about the truck's title. They suggested the new owner get an inspection by a certified VIN inspector at the Eagle County Sheriff's Office, which he did.

"The initial inspection revealed the VIN numbers on the title matched all of the VIN information on the vehicle, inside the doors, on the dash, and even under the hood. The name on the title came back to a real person, and even the license plates matched," the Sheriff's office said.

They said, "However, on closer inspection, our detective discovered the title had been washed. The scammers had illegally removed information from the car title and altered it. He also discovered the license plates had been cloned, which means they were replicated from a legitimately owned car and then used on a stolen car." 

The Facebook Marketplace scammers aren't done with their illegal scheme yet. The scam takes a twisted turn. These scammers want more money from the truck. 

"Also, there was a tracking device hidden in the truck," says the report.

The tracking device was attached to the truck, usually hidden underneath on the frame so that the scammers could track the location of the Ford  F-150 pickup and the buyer. They find the truck and then steal it again.

"With scams like this, the crooks steal the truck, forge paperwork to sell them, and then use a tracking device to show up at your home a few days later with a second key to steal the F-150 back and re-sell it," the Sheriff's office said.

The Eagle County Sheriff's office learned from law enforcement in Houston that the F-150 pickup was stolen in late November, and an insurance payment had already been made to the original owner. "The truck will now be retrieved by the insurance company that legally owns it,"

It's a double whammy. The buyer says, "I'm out thousands of dollars, and I don't have a truck." 

The Sheriff's office warns anyone using Facebook Marketplace or similar sites to be extremely cautious.

The Eagle County Sheriff's Office warns car and truck buyers, "If you see a deal online that's too good to be true, trust your instincts, especially if it might be listed below market value. DO NOT USE CASH. Utilize guaranteed funds like certified checks or a payment method that offers fraud protection."

How do you protect yourself when buying a used car or truck?

In addition to checking the car's title, Consumer Reports recommends getting a vehicle history report, having the car inspected by a trusted mechanic, and being cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.

What you should do to avoid used car scams: 

A report from Aura says, "Buying and selling used vehicles can be stressful. There's a lot of money at stake, and the last thing you want is to get scammed on such a huge purchase or sale." 

"Take the time to inspect a used vehicle's title for signs of fraud or tampering. Check the VIN online and try to meet the seller at the DMV to make sure everything is above board." 

"With a bit of extra due diligence, you can be sure the great deal you found is really worth it."

Have you ever been scammed when buying a car or truck on Facebook Marketplace? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and tell us your story.

Check out another amazing Ford F-150 story:

A Ford dealership in New Hampshire needed help finding a customer who paid for a $50,000 Ford F-250 pickup with a fake check. They say Facebook played a crucial role in finding the guy. Here is their fantastic story. Read my report here.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Curbside Classic