Smart Police Sting Arrests Turo Scammers Selling Rented Vehicles on Craigslist
Corona Police Department
The positive aspect of Turo is the potential to earn money by renting your car to a stranger. However, the downside is that you are renting your vehicle to an unknown individual, which always carries a certain level of risk. Recently, law enforcement in California apprehended two individuals believed to be renting cars through Turo and subsequently selling them on Craigslist with counterfeit titles and other legitimate-looking documents to unsuspecting buyers.
According to a press release from the agency, officers in Corona, California, initiated an investigation after a person who had bought one of the stolen vehicles reported the scam. The victim discovered a car listed for sale on Craigslist and contacted the seller, eventually paying $23,000 after allegedly "reviewing what seemed to be authentic DMV documentation at a local bank." The forged papers must have been convincingly crafted to deceive a bank.
The victim collaborated with the Investigative Services Division of the Corona Police Department to locate the seller and noticed a similar advertisement for another car online. The police then devised a plan: they arranged a meeting with the seller to inspect the vehicle in person and arrested him on the spot. As anticipated, the car he was attempting to sell was also rented via Turo, and the registration documents were likewise fraudulent.
"Our investigators scheduled a meeting with the suspect, and it turned out he had another rental car prepared with a fake title, license plates, and identification to sell," stated Corona Police Sergeant Robert Montanez to local news channel ABC7.
Authorities report that the suspect had an outstanding felony warrant for conspiracy and auto theft. A second suspect was also apprehended, having a felony warrant for trafficking stolen vehicles. Both men are facing multiple felony charges, including conspiracy, auto theft, and fraud.
Law enforcement believes the suspects reside in Phoenix, Arizona, but have connections to Southern California. They also suspect there may be additional victims, so individuals who think they have been scammed are encouraged to contact their local police department. The Corona Police Department advises everyone to verify a car's documentation with the DMV before making any payments to the seller or signing a purchase agreement.
Have any tips? Send them to [email protected]
Other articles
A McLaren SUV appears to be unavoidable at this point, but the company will not develop it independently, according to reports.
Last year, an Abu Dhabi holding company purchased McLaren, and the company's first SUV could potentially be launched in collaboration with one of the other brands owned by its new owner.
Trucker Discharges 2,000 Gallons of Fuel onto Road Instead of Driving to Nearby Station
The jet fuel leaked onto a bridge that spans a creek, prompting a hazmat team to swiftly intervene to prevent contamination of the waterways.
This Toyota RAV4 with a Mazda Two-Rotor swap is pure humor.
The rotary engine in this Toyota RAV4 is so compact that two people can stand on the ground within the engine compartment.
This racing game from the 2000s allowed you to recklessly damage a Mercury Sable and Ford Ranger.
Vanishing Point was not so much a genuine racing game as it was a demonstration of physics featuring delightfully regular, everyday vehicles.
Witness Claims Cybertruck Doors Failed to Open During Fatal Crash in California | Carscoops
The safety features of the Cybertruck, such as door unlocking, are still uncertain following the fatal accident.
F1 has returned. Who are you placing your bets on?
The 2025 F1 season is set to be one of the most fiercely competitive yet, and it remains uncertain who will dominate in Australia.
Smart Police Sting Arrests Turo Scammers Selling Rented Vehicles on Craigslist
The scammers had successfully created counterfeit titles, plates, and other registration documents that were so convincing they deceived loan officers at reputable banks.