
A brazen criminal sold a BMW to an innocent buyer for $6,000 cash on Facebook Marketplace, then returned days later to steal the same vehicle at gunpoint in a shocking double-crime that exposes the dangerous lawlessness plaguing our communities.
Story Snapshot
- Criminal sold 2018 BMW for $6,000 cash on Facebook Marketplace, then robbed victim at gunpoint for the same car
- Victim from College Point, Queens lost both his money and vehicle in elaborate scam-robbery scheme
- NYPD investigating the audacious double-crime that highlights growing online marketplace dangers
- Incident represents escalating pattern of Facebook Marketplace violence targeting honest Americans
Elaborate Criminal Scheme Targets Honest Buyer
A College Point resident became victim to an unprecedented criminal scheme when a thief sold him a blue 2018 BMW for $6,000 cash through Facebook Marketplace, only to return later and steal the vehicle at gunpoint. The elaborate fraud occurred on 124th Street near 25th Avenue, where the victim believed he was making a legitimate private vehicle purchase. Law enforcement sources confirm the investigation focuses on what appears to be a premeditated double-crime designed to maximize the criminal’s profit while devastating an innocent buyer.
Gunpoint Robbery Completes Devastating Loss
The criminal returned to the victim’s neighborhood days after the initial transaction, confronting the buyer at gunpoint and demanding the keys to the BMW he had previously sold. This brazen act left the victim without both his $6,000 payment and the vehicle, representing a complete financial devastation orchestrated by the same individual. The gunpoint robbery demonstrates the calculated nature of this crime, where the perpetrator planned from the beginning to steal back the vehicle after collecting cash payment.
Facebook Marketplace Becomes Criminal Haven
This shocking incident highlights how Facebook Marketplace has become a hunting ground for criminals targeting law-abiding Americans seeking legitimate transactions. The platform’s minimal verification requirements and anonymous communication features provide perfect cover for sophisticated criminal operations. Experts warn that cash transactions for high-value items like vehicles create ideal conditions for fraud, as criminals exploit the trust and good faith of honest buyers who assume they’re dealing with legitimate sellers.
Investigation Reveals Broader Criminal Pattern
NYPD sources indicate this case represents part of a growing trend of online marketplace violence, where criminals use digital platforms to identify and target victims. The investigation examines whether this perpetrator has conducted similar schemes, potentially victimizing multiple innocent buyers across the region. Law enforcement officials emphasize that such crimes undermine community safety and trust, requiring aggressive prosecution to protect citizens from predatory criminals who exploit online commerce platforms.
The case serves as a stark reminder that criminals increasingly view online marketplaces as opportunities to victimize honest Americans, requiring heightened vigilance and stronger platform accountability to protect law-abiding citizens from such predatory schemes.
Sources:
Albuquerque police arrest man accused of shoplifting, selling items on Facebook Marketplace
Fake cash haul found after car theft attempt
News Releases – Middlesex Borough Police Department


