Florida Man Charged After Using $115,000 in Fake Cash to Lure Watch Seller, Shooting Captured on Tesla Camera
FLORIDA — A 21-year-old man from Orange County has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery after allegedly shooting a luxury watch seller during a $115,000 Facebook Marketplace scam that ended in gunfire — an attack caught in full by the victim’s Tesla camera system, according to authorities.
Deputies identified the suspect as Abijah Antonio Javois, who police say used prop money to stage a fake high-end purchase and later opened fire when the victim pursued him after realizing the cash was counterfeit.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Javois faces multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and shooting into an occupied vehicle, stemming from the November 10 incident.
Facebook Marketplace Deal Turns Violent
Investigators said the victim met Javois to sell a Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren edition watch — a timepiece valued at over $115,000 — at the Altamonte Mall.
After the exchange, the victim quickly discovered that the stack of $100 bills Javois handed over were prop movie notes, not real currency. He then attempted to follow Javois, who had fled in a vehicle, prompting a high-speed pursuit spanning roughly 11 miles across the Orlando metro area.
According to deputies, Javois eventually stopped near the 1400 block of 45th Street, got out of his vehicle, and opened fire with an AR-style rifle at the victim’s car.
Victim Shot in Jaw and Shoulder During Escape
Authorities said multiple rounds were fired into the victim’s car, with bullets striking him in the jaw and shoulder. Despite his injuries, the victim managed to drive away but later crashed near I-4 and Kaley Avenue.
He was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was able to speak with detectives.
“The quick thinking of the victim — and his Tesla’s onboard camera system — played a huge role in identifying the shooter,” one investigator said.
Tesla Camera Footage Led to Arrest
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Tesla Sentry Mode cameras recorded the entire incident, capturing both the suspect’s face and license plate. The footage became a key piece of evidence that led to Javois’s arrest shortly after the shooting.
Police recovered digital evidence from the footage, corroborating the victim’s account of the events. Javois was later taken into custody and booked into the Orange County Jail, where he remains held without bond.
Community Reaction and Legal Consequences
The violent encounter has reignited concerns about online sales safety, particularly through platforms like Facebook Marketplace where high-value scams and robberies have been increasing across the state.
Under Florida law, attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm are first-degree felonies, carrying potential sentences of up to life imprisonment. Authorities are also reviewing possible charges related to fraud and counterfeit currency use.
Law enforcement officials are warning the public to use designated police “safe exchange zones” when conducting in-person sales involving large sums of money or luxury items.
“This case could have ended much worse,” said a spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. “The victim’s survival and the Tesla’s footage were instrumental in preventing this suspect from getting away with a very violent act.”
The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors prepare to file formal charges.
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