Ford Dealer Enlists Internet’s Help To Track Down Fraudulent Buyer

Automotive theft has exploded in recent years, and we aren’t just talking about criminals stealing them from individuals – rather, dealers are increasingly becoming targets of these crimes, too. On top of all that, we’ve seen a rise in fraudulent transactions being committed at dealerships as well, with more than a few folks trying to pass fake checks or relying on other nefarious methods in an attempt to make off with vehicles without actually paying for them. The latest example of this comes to us from a Ford dealer in New Hampshire, which recently asked the internet for help in tracking down a fraudulent buyer.

According to Automotive News, this Ford dealer – Best Ford – asked its Facebook followers to help it track down a man who purchased a 2020 Ford F-250 Lariat Crew Cab pickup using a fake check in the amount of $25,000 – half the selling price of that particular model. When the dealer discovered that the check was in fact fake, it reached out to the buyer and asked him to return it, which he refused to do. Thus, along with contacting police, Best Ford posted a $1,000 reward on its Facebook page for anyone who could help them locate the F-250.

It didn’t take long for that to happen, as two different followers knew precisely where the truck was and sent Best Ford that location, after which the Nashua Police Department arrested the man and repossessed the truck. Humorously, the thief commented on Best Ford’s Facebook post and even interacted with commenters working to track him down, though it appears that karma got him in the end.

Now, the man is facing charges of felony theft and forgery, but this isn’t exactly his first time heading to jail or court – in fact, he also has outstanding warrants for stealing from a local big box store, and has also apparently written several other fake checks in the past. Now, he’ll be answering for all of those crimes, it seems, thanks to a handful of internet sleuths.