Craigslist Scammer Poses As Car Salesman, Stealing Nearly $4000 From Victims

A Craigslist scammer duped potential Customers of an Atlanta Area dealership.  Reports indicate that Jeff Manders stole around $4,000 from three victims who thought that they were putting a down payment towards a used car from a dealership.

The scam worked like this: Manders posted ads on Craigslist, listing his info as the contact for a car for sale at this Atlanta area Honda dealership. He also had the vehicle VIN number. He then met with three individuals in the back parking lot of the dealership, to look legitimate, then took the money from the three unsuspecting victims and disappeared. Manders had paperwork, a bill of sale and encouraged the scammed buyers to purchase insurance on the vehicle. He met the customers on a Sunday evening, then told them that the deposit would hold the car, explaining that the keys were locked in the service department.

In a strange turn of events for a criminal situation, the local news radio station in Atlanta did get a hold of Manders, who said that the plans to turn himself in by the end of today, Friday, August 8^th. This case can serve as a reminder for all to be weary of Craigslist deals and to never do business at a dealership with an unverified employee after hours.