That is kind of puzzling to me as well that it didn't show that it was a fleet car.
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That is kind of puzzling to me as well that it didn't show that it was a fleet car.
I agree...here is the carfax.
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SageBrush
REJECT Fascism
IF I was feeling suspicious (and I'm not at all sure of that), I may have seen the CA registration and titling as a red flag.
Maybe. Can we see a scan of the car title ?
That’s what I am not seeing in this thread. They agreed to buy a car you would expect to be handed a full legal title of ownership which No rental place would hand over. Any vehicle I have ever purchased I get the title mailed to me Before taking a trip out to pick it up so I can verify title And register for plates and trip. Where is the title?
Banks try to do their best to stop fraud and illegal activities though. Even if it was cash if they suspected illegal activity they would flag your transactions, refuse your transactions until you provided sufficient proof of legitimate actions that would explain the transaction, etc. Try opening a new account somewhere and making multiple deposits of cash in large amounts (usually over $10k is a red flag) and they would get suspicious unless you explained you had a business or something. Then they might ask for more information about your business etc.
I agree with you that it is not their prime directive to stop financial crimes, but they absolutely do watch for that stuff regardless of the financial instrument. I’m addition, cashiers checks can be counterfeit and it would be in the banks interest to verify they’ll actually get the money they are paying out. Maybe they called and verified the funds and it was all good, but in that case I’m astonished they basically gave the middle finger to the police report and essentially shrugged and said “not our problem.”
All of this also sets of a gazillion red flags if the sums of money are large ($10k+), you want cash instead of deposit, and you’re not an established customer. That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised if whoever processed the transaction was either a friend or knew about the scam.
How many people legitimately just carry around $30k or stash it at home? Most people would deposit that even if they were going to relocate that money to other accounts or pay off a loan. If he cashed it at the issuing bank, well that would be less suspicious (because you would think the issuing bank would be more comfortable verifying it wasn’t a fake check etc) but then again, flag the cashiers check and you put a stop to illegal activity.
For this transaction the bank would have required a CTR to be filled out that would have required verifying ID and recording down a social security number or tax ID. Likely these were fake in this case, but still there is that extra step. If someone backs away from the transaction when asked for this additional information than a SAR (Suspicious activity report) would be filled out once the customer left. Banks are required to try to avoid and stop illegal activities. In fact, I’m sure the original poster had to provide that info (likely didn’t realize it if he was an established customer already at that bank).
To clarify I’m not saying the bank is legally at fault, just that they are a S*** bank that should have more due diligence. Legally as long as they collected his ID and social security number they are in the clear. As good business practice and to minimize financial crimes, absolutely dropped the ball.Maybe this will stop the insanity here:
Cashiers Check-Stop Payments
What are your procedures for processing a stop payment request for a cashiers check purchased by your customer, made payable to another entity, the check is lost in the mail...who has the right to place a stop on the check? Now one step further, if the payee signed a registered letter, is ...www.bankersonline.com
Again, I don't post these things with glee or any enjoyment for the OP's predicament, it really sucks and I'm emphathetic. But ranting about hire a lawyer and the bank is at fault is completely misguided IMHO.
Work with LEO and hopefully this dirtbag gets caught. Good / painful lesson for others buying a used vehicle to not fall into a similar trap.
EVer Hopeful
Active Member
Here is the title....bank was a Credit union, so he most likely didn't cash it at one...simply because most credit unions don't have a way to take a check in and cash it in the same transaction. He would have had to deposit it, wait a few days, and cash it after he made sure he could access the money.
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I've never looked at a CA title before but it looks legitimate enough to me. The name / address doesn't match the ID that you originally posted however. Might want to blur out some of the PII details on that title unless it's for sure (one of?) the fraudster. DOX'ing a bystander isn't too cool in my book.
Damn, what a *sugar* show, hope your luck turns, and they catch this dirt bag.
The name and address do match the CA license that he had...the NV was used to rent the car.
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pepperoni
Member
Yikes, what a story! I hope this guy gets caught soon. Good thing you have closeup photo of this guy.
So that does indeed look like a CA title. Could have fooled me. Does it have the watermark? Did he hand it to you presigned? In the past when I’ve bought and sold used cars, the title would usually be signed in the presence of the buyer, and the license checked to verify a match. Also I notice the odometer reading isn’t filled out which is usually done at the point of sale.
All that was done in front of me. It's crazy how good of a fraud it was....as I even had the car next door look as I didn't want any issues to arise after I left.
SageBrush
REJECT Fascism
Amended post ...
The car was stolen in NV and sold in CA.
Does that make it an FBI case ?
I will say though that trying to catch the perp and getting money back are quite separate concerns.
The car was stolen in NV and sold in CA.
Does that make it an FBI case ?
I will say though that trying to catch the perp and getting money back are quite separate concerns.
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I have to assume title is counterfeit. As for out of state...again....he sold me a CA car, in CA, with a CA drivers license....all very normal, straight forward.
SageBrush
REJECT Fascism
Can you find out ? If this scam is collusion you have a party to sue.
I don't know if CA does the same thing, but I think if I were to ever buy a car private party now, I would insist on going to the DMV, and filling out a duplicate title form, without change in ownership. (That's what they call it in Washington). This way, you can be sure the title is authentic, becuase the DMV will issue the title in person, on the spot. If the title the seller supplied was faked, this will be readily apparent when the DMV fetches the title info from their db. This way I can be sure that the title is authentic/valid... I'd tell the seller, no offense to them, it's for my benefit. If the title is authentic, they have nothing to worry about.
RedWhite19
Member
Have you tried contacting maybe some of the news affiliates in San Diego to air your case? It seems interesting enough for them to air it, maybe he’ll get recognized. Email them the story, with the pictures, fake title and etc. Also try Santa Barbara and Las Vegas. It’s local news, so who knows…
