Graves sheriff warns of fake online vehicle sellers

Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden posted Wednesday that a number of local residents have been recent victims of fake sellers of cars and other vehicles on Facebook Marketplace and other internet sites.

The scam occurs when a local buyer makes the online deal, then travels to meet the seller. After paying for the vehicle and out-of-state transfer funds, they bring the vehicle back to Graves County to be transferred. That's when the victim finds out the bill of sale and title are fake, and the vehicle is stolen.

At that point, the vehicle must be seized and the victim loses the vehicle and the money they spent.

Hayden said this happened recently with vehicles purchased and brought back from Memphis, Missouri, and Texas.

Hayden said most of these instances involve the seller agreeing to meet you in a parking lot or somewhere else that has no video surveillance. 

He said if you are looking to purchase a vehicle out of state from someone you do not know, you can come to the sheriffs office and they can assist you in researching the VIN number of the vehicle being sold, or check it through CarFax. 

There is also an “Internet Sales Parking Spot” located directly in front of the Graves County Sheriff’s office that is under video surveillance for your protection and safety. 

If the seller hesitates to meet you at a police station, that seller is probably not legitimate.