FACEBOOK FOOLED - Man Scammed out of $25K
By Staff Reporter
Bronx Voice
February 20, 2026
BRONX, NY - A social media buyer got scammed when he lost $25 Grand to a man who sold him stolen car, cops said.
According to police, the incident happened on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at approximately 11:00 a.m., in front of 230 West 246 Street within the 50th Precinct.
Investigators say a 42-year-old man arranged to meet an unidentified seller after communicating through Facebook Marketplace about purchasing a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The meeting was intended to finalize the private vehicle sale in person.
During the encounter, the victim allegedly paid about $25,000 in exchange for the vehicle’s keys. Police say the seller then fled the location on foot in an unknown direction.
Shortly afterward, the buyer discovered that the vehicle identification number (VIN) appeared to have been altered. Authorities later confirmed that the 2022 Toyota Highlander had been reported stolen.
The case is now being investigated as a Bronx grand larceny tied to an alleged online marketplace car scam in New York City.
Police describe the suspect as a male with a medium complexion and a heavy build and about 200 pounds. He is between the ages of 40 and 45 and is 5 foot 8. He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, black pants, a gray hat, and white sneakers.
Authorities are urging anyone who recognizes the individual involved in this Facebook Marketplace stolen vehicle investigation in the Bronx 50th Precinct to come forward.
How to Avoid a Facebook Marketplace Stolen Car Scam in NYC
As more people search for affordable used SUVs in New York City through online platforms, police warn that high-value cash transactions carry significant risk.
Here are several safety tips for buying a used car from a private seller in NYC through Facebook Marketplace:
- Always verify the VIN through an official database before exchanging money.
- Meet at a designated NYPD safe exchange location when possible.
- Avoid large cash payments; use traceable payment methods.
- Request proper identification and matching registration documents.
- Consider having a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle before completing the purchase.
Searching for terms like how to verify a VIN before buying a used car in NYC, safe places to meet for Facebook Marketplace car sales in the Bronx, or how to avoid a stolen vehicle scam when purchasing a 2022 Toyota Highlander online can provide additional guidance.
The investigation remains active within the 50th Precinct. Anyone with information regarding this stolen 2022 Toyota Highlander Facebook Marketplace scam in the Bronx is encouraged to contact authorities. Tips can be provided confidentially.
As online vehicle marketplaces continue to grow in popularity across New York City, this case highlights the importance of due diligence when purchasing a used vehicle from a private seller. What may appear to be a straightforward deal can quickly turn into a costly loss if proper verification steps are skipped.
Police continue to seek the public’s assistance in identifying the individual connected to this grand larceny investigation involving a Facebook Marketplace car sale in the Bronx.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips.
All calls are confidential.
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