The Kansas Highway Patrol is urging caution to individuals looking to purchase a vehicle online, particularly through platforms like Facebook Marketplace.
In a recent incident, a driver from western Kansas made a cash purchase of a pickup truck through a mobile app. However, when they went to register the vehicle, they discovered that the VIN numbers were counterfeit, and the truck had actually been stolen.
Troopers have reported another incident, this time in Topeka, where a 2020 1794 Special Edition Tundra underwent an inspection for the purpose of obtaining a Kansas title.
During the inspection, the troopers from KHP observed certain discrepancies between the out-of-state title and the vehicle. Upon closer examination of the truck, it was discovered that the VIN and other identifying markers had been replaced with counterfeit ones.
A stolen 2020 SR5 Tundra, which had been taken earlier this year in Colorado, was recently discovered. The truck was being sold on Facebook Marketplace at a significantly reduced price, with the seller only accepting cash payments.
When you come across a product or service being sold at a discounted price, it’s important to exercise caution, especially if the seller insists on accepting payment in untraceable forms like cash. It’s always wise to keep in mind that if an offer appears to be too good to be true, it most likely is.
The Kansas Highway Patrol provides valuable tips to help you avoid scams when buying a vehicle. The tips can be found here.