- The victim lost $23,000 after buying a car rented on Turo and later listed online for sale.
- That same victim worked with police to find a similar listing and then officers set up a trap.
- Police apprehended two men believed to have scammed others with the same scheme.
Sometimes, thieves’ biggest mistake is being too obvious. In Corona, California, that’s precisely what happened when a buyer who thought they were purchasing a car for $23,000 in cash discovered the hard way that the deal wasn’t what it seemed. What followed was a chain of events that ended with the perpetrators getting caught—thanks to the victim’s determination.
The victim told the police that they believed everything was legitimate after they found and paid for a car that was for sale on Craigslist. The seller even had DMV paperwork, including a title to verify things. It was only when the buyer went to the actual DMV that they found out the truth: the car was stolen after being rented on Turo.
The Police Get Involved
The buyer didn’t simply hang their head in grief though. Instead, they worked with Corona Police to find another similar listing. When the department’s Investigative Services Division determined that the seller was likely the same person, officers set up a trap. They agreed to meet the suspect in the interest of buying the car listed for sale.
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When the seller arrived, police detained them and found that they were driving another vehicle that they had no right to sell. In fact, the findings didn’t stop there. The suspect, Sebastian Flores, had an active felony warrant for conspiracy and auto theft. He also had fraudulent paperwork on him at the time of his arrest.
In addition, police found another man believed to work with Flores named Lasso Floris. He also had a felony warrant for trafficking stolen vehicles. Notably, Corona police believe that there could be other victims of the same scam.
“Flores and Floris also have extensive criminal histories for similar crimes, and it is likely there are additional victims. If you believe you have been victimized by either suspect, we urge you to contact your local law enforcement agency,” the department said.