North Carolina Man Scammed Out of $19K UTV in DeKalb County
DEKALB COUNTY, GA — A North Carolina man says he was left with a massive financial loss after a scammer posing as a buyer stole his $19,000 UTV during a test drive in Georgia.
Corey Brooks, who connected with the buyer through Facebook Marketplace, said he spent a week exchanging photos and details before making the five-hour drive to DeKalb County to finalize the sale.
How the Scam Unfolded
Brooks said he met the man at what appeared to be his residence on Abram Way. The supposed buyer asked to take the UTV for a short test drive.
“We could see the stop sign, he was like, if I could drive it to the stop sign and back, you know, everything checks out, we’re good,” Brooks recalled.
Instead of returning, the man accelerated away, disappearing with the vehicle. Brooks later discovered he had been blocked on Facebook by the suspect.
A Costly Loss
Brooks told FOX 5 Atlanta that he had financed the UTV and is still making payments. “Now I’m paying on something that I don’t have anymore,” he said.
He added that the buyer even carried what appeared to be a bank envelope of cash, which convinced him the deal was legitimate.
Brooks has since filed a police report with DeKalb County Police and is offering a $5,000 reward for the vehicle’s return.
Police Investigation Ongoing
Authorities confirmed the theft is under investigation but have not yet identified a suspect. Brooks said he’s heard of similar scams involving test drives, though police have not linked his case to others.
He urged others to be cautious when meeting online buyers: “Meet at a police station, meet at a bank, meet somewhere public. Let somebody else hold the money or a driver’s license.”
Have you ever had an online sale go wrong or been targeted by a scammer? Share your story in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
