Buying and selling vehicles, especially pickup trucks, always carries potential risks. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office (Texas, USA) is warning the public about a rise in fraudulent vehicle title scams, particularly targeting the Hispanic community. Many victims have been deceived into purchasing stolen pickup trucks with forged ownership documents. Scammers exploit victims’ fear of reporting to the police due to concerns about their immigration status. The Sheriff’s Office assures that they will not inquire about immigration status when taking crime reports.
Sophisticated Tactics of Pickup Truck Title Fraudsters
In 2020, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office investigated over 125 cases of vehicle title fraud. A notable case involved the arrest of Jose Luis Marin, 26, for felony theft. Marin illegally sold a stolen GMC Denali pickup truck after advertising it on Facebook Marketplace. The victim paid $24,500 for the truck, which was valued at approximately $55,000. Upon attempting to register the vehicle, the victim discovered it had been reported stolen and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) had been altered. Marin confessed to “re-papering” and repairing the vehicle for sale. Following the Sheriff’s Office’s announcement of the arrest, another victim from Kansas contacted them, reporting a $25,000 loss from purchasing a stolen pickup truck from Marin.
Collaborative Efforts to Combat Pickup Truck Fraud
Individuals are not the only victims; even law enforcement screening personnel have been targeted. In November 2019, a staff member purchased a stolen 2017 Chevy Tahoe for $11,500 in cash. Through collaboration between the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety, suspect Sasha Maria Morales was arrested and charged with Felony Theft and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.
Heavy Financial Losses for Victims of Pickup Truck Scams
Estimates from the 125 investigated cases indicate that buyer losses exceeded $707,676, while the estimated value of all recovered vehicles totaled $1,337,225. Victims often cannot recover their money.
Prevention Measures When Buying a Pickup Truck
To avoid becoming a victim, always verify ownership information before purchasing a vehicle from an individual seller. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles provides low-cost vehicle history and title check tools at: https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/title-check-look-before-you-buy
Police Advice for Pickup Truck Transactions
Conduct purchase transactions in public places with surveillance cameras. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office encourages citizens to use designated parking spaces under surveillance cameras outside their office at 1302 Preston Street for transactions.
The Sheriff’s Office also offers a free VIN verification service. Deputies will attach a special device to the vehicle to check if the VIN has been altered. If the number on the vehicle’s internal computer does not match the dashboard VIN, it could indicate a stolen vehicle.
Contact Sgt. Darrell DeFee at (713) 274-8362 or [email protected] if you have been a victim of a similar scam. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is working in partnership with the Harris County Tax Assessor’s Office to combat this type of crime.
