Police are searching for a suspect who apparently scammed a Pinecrest homeowner out of a jet ski.
Police are searching for a suspect who apparently scammed a Pinecrest homeowner out of a jet ski.
The incident happened when the homeowner put the green jet ski up for sale on OfferUp and was visited by a possible buyer back on Aug. 16.
The buyer, who gave a fake name, agreed to buy it for $12,500 and wrote a personal check, but said he didn't have a way to transport the jet ski and would come back the next day with a truck.
The owner deposited the check through mobile banking and confirmed the money was available, officials said.
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The next day the buyer returned with a white Ford truck, took the jet ski, the title, and some accessories, and left.
A camera at the home captured the suspect, who was wearing a blue shirt, loading it up.
But days later, on Aug. 22, the seller's bank notified him that the check was fake and his account was overdrawn by $12,500.
"We certainly want to make sure that the funds have cleared," Police Captain Ivan Osores said. "That doesn't mean that checking your mobile app for the funds in your account necessarily means that the funds are available. It's just a courtesy that the bank offers."
The seller tried to contact the buyer, who claimed he was out of town and would fix the problem, but hasn't been paid and believes he was scammed.
Police are investigating the case as possible fraud and are trying to track down the buyer. Officials said the case is a good reminder for sellers to be extra careful when accepting personal checks. Or if someone tells you they have the cash in their checking account, go to their bank with them have them make the check out to cash, and then collect the cash or a cashier’s check at the bank.
Anyone with information is asked to call Pinecrest Police at 786-397-3009.
