[Koa]

Originally Posted by srizzors25

On the STI, basically what happened is I got played haha

Was looking for a car for awhile after I sold my 330i. Found that one, was listed for 10.5k which was a really good deal (should have been the first red flag!) had around 110k miles something like that. I test drove it with a friend and it was pretty nice. Clearly needed some work which is why I wasn't completely scared off by the low price. mechanically it was solid. Body needed a little love. It was obvious it had been rear ended and fixed at some point, had a super janky exhaust, really tasteless paint inside and out (lime green calipers, blue and green spray paint under the hood and blue matched accents inside the car). Was fairly dirty inside. It drove well but it really needed some tlc.

So I bought it! but here was the second red flag. The problem was I too anxious to get a car and it bit me. He told me he had a lien on the car, needed some cash to pay it off. So I paid him half, and he gave me the car. He later said that if I gave him the rest of the money (said the title was paid at this point and on its way) he would take some off the total and call it good. Great I thought (stupid in hindsight). Drove the car for a couple months, started to clean things up etc. I keep on him about the title (even got it insured and all) but nothing really. Couple months go by, I get a call that his check supposedly bounced to the dealer where he bought it, and now they have to reposes the car. Well that's awesome. Says he'll bring cash with him and come take the car back. Supposedly there wasn't another option

So he shows up, with his "dad" and girlfriend. Turns out he didn't have money on him so stupid me (again with the hindsight) write up an agreement for him to pay me back and full and like an idiot I let him take the car.

We keep talking keep trying to meet up for money he keeps putting it off, making excuses, etc that sort of stuff. Last time he supposedly has a friend coming to help me, we meet downtown but he never shows up. I keep calling/texting him while I wait , no answer no reply that stuff. Leave him a nice message letting him know what I think of the situation and that was that.
Next day I get a call from the police, supposedly they called the cops on me for harassment. They tell me to stop calling and get someone else to deal with it.

I file a police report with the Westminster PD end up dealing with a very nice detective who is very helpful. Turns out the guy is a repeat felon on minor things (around 10 cases lol and he's 24 like me ...) Detective gets the guy and his girlfriend in, gets their story as well.

Turns out they bought the car, financed it or something through a dealer, ended up buying the car about 2 weeks before I bought it which means they intended to use the car as bait to rip someone off. Their down payment check bounced and they were force to self repo the car or get in big trouble. Turns out both the guy and his GF can both be in trouble for title fraud or something like that.
However, the cop tells me to go to civil court because criminal cases take forever and won't guarantee me any money back.

So I've been dealing with civil court for awhile. its a pain but has been relatively easy. They never show up to court so everything has been ruled in my favor.

The case finally closed last week which is awesome, currently in the process of getting information from them (court mandated) about where they work/bank/what cars they own/any property/houses owned etc. I can basically empty their bank accounts, put liens on property and garnish their wages until I get my 10k back.

It sucks and it'll take time but I'm finally en route to getting my money back. Not fun and I'll never be an idiot like that again. An expensive mistake on my part but hopefully I can get a decent portion back in a reasonable amount of time.

Luckily I had that legacy to sell in the meantime and was able to finance the BRZ so I'm happy with my car situation now and I have a nice paying job (engineer!) so I'm not hurting too bad but it would be super nice to get that money back asap

wow. I just read this...

brother. so glad you got the court on your side and yes, we all do foolish things when a "too good to be true" offer comes our way.

What a piece of trash for trying to do that to you..

Hope all is well