‘It opened the door to a lot of other victims’: Georgia police are warning of a surge in stolen cars being sold on Facebook Marketplace — here’s what to watch out for when buying a new car

“They are pretty pricey,” he told Atlanta News First. “They are making out with a lot of victims’ money.”

The investigation began when a local buyer reported VIN inconsistencies after taking their CR-V to a mechanic. That tip led police to uncover multiple victims and triggered a Facebook Marketplace sting, where investigators posed as buyers. The seller tried to flee but was caught.

A second suspect, Karen Mendez, remains at large. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact 911.

Dealerships targeted too

VIN fraud — or “VIN cloning” — involves copying a legitimate VIN from a similar car and placing it on a stolen one. The scammer makes the vehicle appear clean and legal during resale.

The fraud has reached beyond individual buyers. Atlanta Used Cars unknowingly purchased a stolen vehicle through a Carvana auction. They only learned the truth after a customer reported it stolen. Authorities later traced the vehicle back to Hertz Rental Car Company.

“Saving up money for a down payment or the whole car, purchasing it and being accused of stealing it definitely from law enforcement is definitely not a good experience,” said Shameel Shad, the dealership’s general manager.

Carvana reimbursed the dealership after confirming the fraud. Shad said the experience forced his team to tighten their inspection process. They now triple-check VINs on the windshield, driver-side door and vehicle computer.

How to protect yourself

Gwinnett County Police and consumer advocates recommend several steps to avoid becoming a victim of VIN fraud:

• Meet in a public place: Complete private car sales at a police station or designated “safe exchange” zone.
• Cross-check the VIN: Make sure the number matches on the windshield, driver-side door, and title documents. Any mismatch is a red flag.
• Use an OBD2 scanner: These tools reveal the VIN stored in the car’s electronic system, which scammers can’t easily alter.
• Run a vehicle history report: Use services like Carfax, AutoCheck or the free VINCheck tool from the National Insurance Crime Bureau to check for theft or salvage records.
• Trust your instincts: If a deal seems too good to be true or the seller avoids basic questions, walk away.

“There is an endless amount of ways that people can commit fraud in this business, VIN swapping is the simplest and easiest to catch,” Shad said. “But there are a lot of other crafty ways.”

With online car sales on the rise, Gwinnett County Police say vigilance is key. Taking extra steps now could save buyers thousands or prevent legal trouble later.