An vehicle scam turns deadly on another e-commerce site

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

As reported in Colorado around August 16th, A couple answered an ad on "L-G" for a Toyota Rave and met with a scam seller at a location, he claimed he brought the wrong title with him and asked the couple to follow him to his residence, he admitted he robbed them and shot them both. He then stated he put the truck back on this site in a different name. This investigation is still ongoing. 

This scamming auto thing is getting way out of hand with these e-commerce sites, about 2x weekly, in the forum we read someone questioning gift cards, fake invoices from Ebay, texting and/or harassments. I really don't know what needs to be done here, but every site needs to team up and get together to figure this out as 2 people are now dead and 5 children have lost their parents. Any thoughts?

[soh.maryl]

Our local PD has a designated space (or two) in their parking lot for meet-ups like this.

[aldente28]

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@hurrrhaha_0 wrote:

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Again part of the problem here is the buyer...

The INSTANT that buyer understood the title wasn't free and clear they should've moved along.

Yes, that opportunity presented itself and had they taken it they likely would be alive today.

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Rather than blaming the victim, I would like to propose that the entirety of the problem here is that a seller decided to rob and murder two people who simply wanted to buy a car.

Yes, we should all be careful in life, but when a murderer jumps out of the bushes and does his murderous thing, we don't say "if they hadn't been walking down that dark street, they would be alive today". We say "murderers are bad, evil people who are entirely responsible for the mayhem they create". When they murder people who came to buy a car, we don't say "they should have known better".

If it makes you feel better to blame murder victims for their own murder, I think you should question that. There is nothing inherently dangerous in following someone from location A to location B because he "brought the wrong title". They were shot while sitting in their car at location B. It could have just as easily happened in location A.

Just sayin'

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

Our police dept does as well soh.maryl. This whole story is just so tragic it breaks my heart, why oh why did they follow this scammer to his apt? The news report did not say what that listing price was on Let go but I'm sure it was enticing. It has been said a thousand times...If it sounds to good to be true....it probably is...Everybody needs to be careful from local pickups to searching online for autos, beware of your surroundings always.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

Excellent advice! 

[1grandmashope_1]

Thank you for sharing something so heartbreaking. This can happen with any purchase where one has to meet a stranger. Please please, those of you that have the option to pick up be sure to pick a safe place. I am just so very sorry that this is something important to share, but it is. Thanks again silverstatetreasureboxes.

Stay safe and be well,

Grandma

[aldente28]

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@silverstatetreasureboxes wrote:

why oh why did they follow this scammer to his apt? The news report did not say what that listing price was

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The shooter told them he brought the wrong title and had the correct one at home, so they followed him there. When they arrived, he walked up to their car and tried to rob them at gunpoint. The man tried to drive away and the robber shot him and the passenger. The sale price was $3K.

Lesson: Whenever you buy a car and intend to pay cash, tell the seller beforehand that if you like the car, you will make arrangements to get the cash to them.

[definingcolor]

This is the norm these days. Blame the victim because the criminal is also a victim of life, What **bleep** In some states not you can't even call a criminal a criminal, you will get a fine. This world has truly changed. My 18 year old granddaughter would say " oh Grammy that guy who just shot you in the face is just a victim of life" don't be mad about it. Yeah right.

I don't know what kind of kool - aid people are drinking these days, but I want no parts of it. Just Sayin.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

Thank you Grandma, it is so sad, and you stay safe as well!

[dosprompt]

I wanted to share my story, how I was sweet talked into a unusual situation then I had planned:

I used to repair and sell laptops and computers.

I would meet people at a local Taco Bell to demonstrate the laptops and use the Wi-Fi  to sell them, without letting people come to my home.

I advertised locally on CL and sold several without a hitch until one day, a couple years ago....

Started texting with a potential buyer. Gave her my home address, she needed the laptop right away to replace one she broke. She texted me at 10:30pm that night, saying her car broke down, but could I meet her at her work the next day and she would buy the laptop for sure.

Okay, I would now meet her at the VFW hall, which was only a couple blocks over, from the Taco Bell.

Next day, she texts and I now agree to meet her, in the parking lot of a local supermarket by her home.

I arrive and wait in the supermarket parking lot.

She shows up in a brand new vehicle and tries to write me a check, then says she has the cash at home about a block away.

I shouldn't have, but I followed her,  to where she drove. Residential area, nice area.

And I went inside the home.  Her husband and son were there. Odd, a 9 year old wasn't in school. 

All the furniture was stacked up to the ceiling in the living room-they said they were doing repairs on the home. Did I want to buy or know someone who wanted to buy the furniture? Nope.

I know I shouldn't be there, and that no one knew where I was.

Again, she tries to write me a check for the laptop, and I said no, cash only.

Something wasn't right, and I wanted out of there. I agreed to meet her at a store downtown, where I knew the owner and she would go cash a check.

She never showed up or called or texted me again.

So what happened? Was I about to be a victim, and then they changed their mind?

People need to be careful about where, and who they meet up with.   I know better, but there are people that can make you feel so comfortable and normal during an interaction, that you let your defenses down. I did.

And I still have a bunch of laptops, and desktops...sigh....might see about donating to a school for some kids without...:)

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

So the vehicle was listed for $3000??? A 2017??? And then the shooter relisted back in a girls name on Letgo??? It's unbelievable, thank you for sharing that and the advise about the cash and arrangements to pay.

[chapeau-noir]

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@silverstatetreasureboxes wrote:

Thank you chapeau-noir, the reports came from various news sources: The Denver post, ...people.com crime...msn.com. If you just Google the Aurora Co. couple killed buying a car on Letgo it will pop up. It's also on Gofundme.

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Found it - thanks!  I like to get background but didn't have enough to go on to find the sources and was coming up with all this other stuff.

[fab_finds4u]

True dead battery story.

My significant other who was my bf for 22 years was terminal and had just weeks to live. His Dr said put your affairs in order. He put his Astro van in my name and told me to sell it, keep it or whatever.

It was in good shape. It was his daily driver and "key down" van so it was equipped with lots of leece-neville alternators and several gel cell batteries to run a 32 pill amplifier.. Those alone were worth way way more than the van alone was worth. After he passed I couldn't bear to get rid of it. I'd sit in it and listen to the radio sometimes. And cry.  Sometimes I'd drive it to keep it running.

ANYWAY recently one of his old friends contacted me and asked if I was ready to sell it. I WAS. But for the pandemic costing me a part time job I would've said no.

Lol, he showed up with a battery charger and a battery.  He didn't  need either one, I got it running. The tires were bad though..He asked what I wanted for it. I said make an offer. He told me I would have a hard time selling it with all that cb cr*p under the hood. REALLY?..He offered me $800 and acted like he was doing me a favor. I said excuse me, my gun is under the seat. Let me get my gun before I forget it and you drive off with it if we can come to a price. He hauled buggy out of my yard. He didn't wait to see if I really had a gun.  I was born at night but not last night. ( I didn't have a gun under the seat. )

[wesk_36]

I feel sad for their 5 children that were left behind.

"why oh why did they follow this scammer  psychopath murderer to his apt?"

at midnight, that's what I don't get.

[soh.maryl]

You are missing a point here.  The "don't have the correct title with me" story is a ruse to get the buyer to follow them to some unknown location as happened in the case cited here.  

[southern*sweet*tea]

Out here in the country, both parties generally show up carrying in the open. (it's allowed where we live.) Everyone behaves stunningly well. Nobody gets hurt, robbed or killed. The deal is made, hands are shaken (at least before Covid) and everyone goes on their merry way.  Wonder why?