California dad scammed out of nearly $50K buying SUV online

The SUV was supposed to be shipped from Idaho to Yuba City within three days. The dealer kept changing the delivery date, blaming a shipping issue. With his baby's due date approaching, Deandre Hobbs grew impatient.

[@MicDropBBQ]

Never wire money of THAT magnitude for ANYTHING you haven't witnessed in person. This is 2024, folks. Come on. We should know better.

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

I don't understand why he had to wire the money period. When I bought my last car, I showed up with a check. Why not fly down their with a check and drive it back home? Yeah, no way on earth am I wiring that much money. You get a check AS I'M STEPPING INTO MY CAR!

[@randolphdukes5383]

NEVER

[@longlivetheclash]

I wouldn’t wire a penny much less $47,000. Stupid is as stupid does.

[@Yaamilshakur]

Rule number 1

[@justiceexodus7801]

I wired $73k to an out of state dealership for a BMW last month, full online transaction. It was delivered a week later. Gotta know what you’re doing.

[@Nattyrute]

How dumb you gotta be to pay someone online and not see the car “IN PERSON?”

[@charliej766]

Man saved up $50K in two years so I wouldn’t call him dumb. But he’s definitely naive. He seems resilient so I’m sure he’ll bounce back. Lesson learned…the hard way.

[@RobertGray-wf6py]

Really dumb! But he’s also black.

[@Diaz-Ramos]

@@charliej766dumb 100%

[@bigfishy7816]

😆. This guys been paying his taxes with gift cards for years as well

[@wileyjohnson5681]

You would be surprised. Did you hear the guy say the feds reported $12m a month in online scams?

[@JayTee2985]

When a deal seems too good to be true, it's most likely fake.

[@lp3960]

Not true in all cases. Do your research and always try to pay with a credit card.

[@JayTee2985]

@@lp3960 credit card allows you to wire $47,000? Really?

[@wileyjohnson5681]

That has nothing to do with it.

[@amtravelingservice4400]

@@lp3960 I agree with you on that one.

[@andyleo8418]

He wired $47k with basically no recourse. That's just crazy. I mean how about a down payment of $1k and pay the rest at delivery? I would be too embarrassed to get on TV but good for him to show people what not to do.

[@juanfranco2527]

I will never ever go on TV and show the F^%& I did, The White Man and The Brother ✊🏿 will never do that !

[@shelbynamels7948]

scammers count on people being too embarrassed to go public. peoples' shame is to their advantage.

[@mamadouaziza2536]

He's already received a few donated trucks because people are feeling bad for him and his family.

[@pytube777]

The guy never searched Google map to make sure there’s a legit dealership there and call to confirm the SUV existed?

[@microscopic.caterpill]

People really don’t be doing their research. Some dude bought property here in the bay for 100K +~ (March 2023) only to find out that it’s underwater. It’s still on the market since he’s been trying to resell it

[@Yoduh1]

People don’t be doing? It’s time to take that English class.

[@traybern]

He’s VERY STUPID.

[@traybern]

They DO have BBB in Idaho.

[@mamadouaziza2536]

They tricked his @ss by sending actual photos and videos of the car.. He should have done a history check on the dealership and its customer service records.. It only costs about $700 roundtrip to fly there and do business in person. He would have saved $46k. Also, there are professional services one can hire to go check these thing out for you. Would have only cost him about $250 bucks.

[@trubullyzzeusfam1546]

Wtf would you give anyone 50k online lol

[@Xx-po1fu]

You don't need an expensive SUV for a family of 3. When I was growing up in a family of 6 my dad bought a 4-door Buick

[@FabienTeulieres93]

You nailed it. It’s a “want”, hardly a “need”.

[@m.b5777]

Or a minivan which is very practical

[@byiza9484]

Station Wagons in the 70s

[@bh2155]

I was thinking the same thing. These people are so caught up on what the media says you have to drive. A cheap 4 door sedan like an Accord is good enought

[@itypethetruthnobshere8975]

@@bh2155not everyone wants to live like that.

[@wolfthornhawkridge5705]

Seems like a minivan and a big screen tv would have been a better investment.

[@sl4983]

Or just buy local.

[@danram247]

I know right? He could have just bought a regular Yukon SLT locally for way less...

[@amtravelingservice4400]

@@danram247 His little women wants the best you know.

[@longlivetheclash]

Yeah. Then he could have only been scammed out of $25,000 or so.

[@Cade55]

Yes, you can get that for about 40K and it's new and if you go with Toyota, Honda that car can probably be driven till that 2 year old can start driving.

[@malibuconv1968]

Dude should have flown to the location and "put hands" on ANY vehicle he was interested in buying from out of State. If you can't physically touch, sit in and drive a vehicle, there's a 99.9999999999% chance it's a Scam.

[@ValerieVitality]

His frugality cost him….. he was too cheap to thoroughly check it out properly…

[@mamadouaziza2536]

no true. I've purchased 3 cars 100% online since 2020.. All I did was do a history check on the dealership and do a LIVE Google Earth map of the address of the dealership. In fact on one purchase I asked the dealership to text me a photo of all the dealers in a group shot around the car I wanted to buy and hold up today's newspaper. That photo came within 2 minutes and 20 minutes later I executed the deal..

[@marcoperez6599]

A fool and his money are soon parted.

[@jblessed2983]

😅 pretty much.

[@6time686]

Deandre has NO idea how to properly purchase a car.

[@traybern]

HERE’s the REAL problem: NOW he’ll raise TWO kids as DUMB as HIM!!!!

[@alfredgalan1912]

Growing family? 1 child and 1 in the oven doesn't justify a "need" for an SUV. It's a want, not a need.

[@zjones9876]

Not really important. He saved up for it. Tend your own fields you'll live longer.

[@bh2155]

Right and if you go the route of SUV you don't need to pay 50k for it

[@alfredgalan1912]

@@zjones9876 I have eternal life partner. Are you the one that's going to end my life?

[@suwandikie5316]

Should just wired $1 instead $47k

[@charliej766]

Scammers are receiving $12M a month?!?! 😳😩😡 Sickening.

[@Runner8617]

He said that was JUST in Sacramento region!!😮😬

[@wileyjohnson5681]

​@@Runner8617SMH

[@1MiketheMechanic]

Sounds like Californians have been in the sun too long. No common sense.

[@broadwayshack1664]

i’m curious what the guy does for a living. i don’t think he’s bright enough to be a mechanic.

[@ScarletAdhesive]

Yeah, I'd like to meet in public. I have a bridge for sell. Buy one get one free.

[@kakarotto389]

It says owner on his shirt

[@traybern]

He SCAMS customers!!! Charging them $800 for $200 of repairs!!!

[@Durkakunibakalaka950]

He wore his little shirt just to try to bring some type of dignity 😂

[@SL-pg4dh]

@@traybern A mechanic buying a used car online sight unseen from out of state. Unreal

[@KE-zk4kc]

Listen, this makes no sense to me. You have $50,000 to spend but you buy a used car thousands of miles away? You can definitely get some type of decent new suv for $50,000 or less. He wanted a big car that, as a new vehicle, would cost upwards of $70, $80 or even $90,000. He got what he got.

[@danram247]

I know right? He could have just bought a new one and financed it. Make monthly payments on it...why just pay all the car at once especially with a baby on the way...

[@traybern]

“Our TEM”?? I BET the ip address on those emails is from a different CONTINENT!!!

[@mamadouaziza2536]

He got scammed, nothing more and nothing less.. There are lots of real legit brick and mortar dealerships that have an online business model and they will ship any car to you. They will also help you get financed if you need it.. Nothing wrong with buying a used trucked.. Poor guy was scammed..

[@mamadouaziza2536]

​@@danram247 I agree.. Or at least leased a truck for a couple of years. I would have used that $47k for a down payment on a house.. Maybe he has money to burn.

[@randolphdukes5383]

No way I'm sending money for a car and I don't even know if it really exists or even runs.

[@wileyjohnson5681]

This is the risk Americans are taking in 2024 unfortunately SMH

[@mamadouaziza2536]

They sent him actual photos of the car and a video of the car with the engine running.. They fooled him very well.. He's naive. For that amount of money he could have easily hopped on a plane as he did in the end and went and executed the transaction in person. He would have saved himself $46k

[@crazydaisy1334]

2024. You can’t trust anything or anyone anymore..

[@MrTmenzo]

Not really it all comes down to wiring funds. Anyone asking to wire funds is a red flag. It even happens when people trying to wire their down payment on a house.

[@wileyjohnson5681]

Well definitely not online

[@jonlj77]

The internet has ruined all industries and made the world a lesser place.

[@WW3_Soon]

There’s a sucker born every minute.

[@crazydaisy1334]

You gotta buy your vehicle from legitimate dealer no one else

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

The issue isn't whether or not it's a dealer. The issue is that he sent the money BEFORE getting the car. I've bought many cars before and I never paid for one BEFORE getting it. Used or new, you show up the day you're going to pick it up with a check in hand. You fill out all of the final paperwork, THEN hand over a check. To wire the money half way across the country and he never even laid eyes on the car is just stupid! Personally, if the car is used, I want my mechanic to look it over first, which is hard to do if it's so far away, which is why I'd never buy a used car that far away. He made a lot of mistakes, but his loss is a lesson for the rest of us.

[@juicyfruit6311]

​​@@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403Pretty much what you said. We were interested in a minivan. The guy was selling it for a price we could afford. Told the seller take it my mechanic for a complete vehicle inspection. We'd pay for the mileage, inspection, and Uber. Seller never showed up or responded back. 😂

[@czonerx66-vc1wz]

Dealers are scammers too 👎

[@crazydaisy1334]

@@czonerx66-vc1wz good call! Your right!

[@zion9860]

Never buy any expensive items through Facebook market. There are just way too many scammers out there.

[@theczar6171]

Maybe it’s me but I wouldn’t wire even $1000 to buy a car without physically touching it smelling it driving it. Not to mention taking a picture of it myself including the Vin number. And that’s for $1000 car , This fool sent how much money.

[@randolphdukes5383]

Exactly

[@annie9855]

Smelling it is right. Smoker cars are unfixable to a non smoker.

[@sl4983]

I did that but at the dealership of the same model. So it was fine. But yes for this situation it wouldn't be good.

[@wileyjohnson5681]

It's not just you You are in the 2 percent group with me.

[@amtravelingservice4400]

@@annie9855 I know , I bought one and it took a year to get that smell out.

[@-----------------------------]

A family with one child doesn't need an SUV. If you plan on having more than one get a Minivan and a real work truck for your towing needs. None of these 70k + luxury SUVs and trucks that break down after the warranty.

[@danram247]

Or at least a smaller SUV..

[@stefanossmitty3318]

Exactly. I’ve seen 4 people on motorcycles in many parts of the world. People are gonna be driving school buses around pretty soon.

[@InternetUser._]

Millions of families did just fine in 1980s Camrys and Civics before the media convinced people they “need an suv” 😂

[@iamwinningrightnow]

You're a grown man...how the heck did you fall for this? Tht's a lot of money to release to thin air.

[@microscopic.caterpill]

I don’t think he know least to even change his oil

[@dt855]

Feel bad for the guy, but come on. Clearly the website is fake. You can easily vet a dealership online, the news guy did it in a few minutes. Above all, why would you wire the money before actually seeing the car in person?

[@wileyjohnson5681]

​​@@hopperbopperYou are missing the bigger picture. Dam the inspection He didn't even see the car to get it Inspected. SMH

[@CihttiBabbuu-dt9qw]

Bro even real dealers scam people🤡

[@jonlj77]

The internet has ruined EVERYTHING

[@user-zf3xb3qx8w]

The Net has proven people are even stupider than we ever imagined.

[@angelscry2323]

Never..never buy a car or house with out 1st in Person physically touching it & fully inspecting it .

[@27Killermike]

I bought my house without seeing it and had zero issues. Granted I didn't buy my house on FB so idk

[@wileyjohnson5681]

Americans are falling for this every day so called smart people doctors, etc....

[@mike112079]

@@27Killermikeyeah but someone at some point saw it, I imagine; either a realtor or home inspector, etc. You knew that there was a house to buy and that was it. Not just a random picture of a house

[@CoolHand273]

Why didn't the guy go to idaho in the first place? There are scams like this all over cargurus for example. If the car is way cheaper than all the other cars it is either a salvage title or a scam.

[@user-zf3xb3qx8w]

Yuba City to Idaho in a two person plane would be fast, and pretty cheap. THAT DAY arrival, so the seller HAS to give you a physical address, phone number, and you can confirm.

[@EricFortuneJr.]

I really don’t feel too much sympathy for him. I would never send money to anyone online. It’s just common sense.

[@clydedufresne5530]

The only crime in this story is paying all cash that you saved for a freaking depreciating asset when you have a baby on way!

[@danram247]

I know right...all that money invested into a vehicle instead of the baby...he just wanted people to feel bad for him mentioning the baby...dude you got $50k saved up use it on actual baby stuff...🤦‍♂️

[@wileyjohnson5681]

Depreciating is the key word. Especially GMC

[@omt4293]

Wiring money for a car. No. Definitely no. Cashiers check, that’s what you do. I feel bad but that was a red flag.

[@Hellcat71782]

How are we still getting scammed in 2024??? How?

[@goldengalsclazy]

For that much money, you're better off buying a NEW SUV.

[@tarrancefrancis7692]

Not in these days

[@ProSePlaintiff]

Why didn't he just buy it from Carvana?

[@liz.8312]

Karma is going to bite those scammer hard for scamming a toddlers father SMH

[@mostofamojlish8255]

There is no karma it’s man made theories. Facts

[@user-li3gm9gd1q]

@@mostofamojlish8255 Completely agree. I can't tolerate people who think like this. What's next, "Everything happens for a reason" ?!? When someone uses these ridiculous platitudes, you know they've never had it hard. Too easy of a life.

[@TruthBeTold121212]

The dealer was Mr. Obongo from Nigeria.

[@user-ls8on7kn3t]

Facebook should be banned

[@SamWesting]

Using your logic, eBay should be banned. So should Craigslist. So should Amazon. Get real. People need to use their brains & figure out how to recognize scams & how to protect themselves against it.

[@user-ls8on7kn3t]

@@SamWesting so no accountability

[@cowarddonnie-ji5yz]

​@@SamWestingthere's a big difference

[@SamWesting]

@@cowarddonnie-ji5yz So what is the difference?

[@cowarddonnie-ji5yz]

@@SamWesting you'll get refund from eBay and Amazon and you can't post your fat mom's story on Craigslist

[@BrokeMillionaire1]

He didn’t NEED an SUV. FYI

[@ag-bk5wf]

He transferred the money without driving it !!

[@Mary-zd6ow]

No one needs a SUV, he wanted a SUV.

[@taragrace4656]

All that money from a salesman you've never met and a vehicle you didn't see in person. smh

[@Geezyguap]

Why does he need a SUV for a family of 4 that makes 0 sense

[@redbaron6805]

Yeah, I'm not handing over 50 cents to a dealer unless I fly or drive to the location, drive the car, and then I'll hand over the money. Never ever under any circumstances buy used vehicles blind, without driving the car, getting a pre purchase inspection from a mechanic and triple checking the entire thing is legit...

[@bradleypollack5658]

Who the hell would pay $47,000 for a vehicle in cash?

[@axelfoley1406]

That's not the issue. The issue is wiring it to a stranger, no escrow.

[@Zion-Rv]

First of all Facebook is dangerous. There are too many scammers whether you’re trying to buy a puppy or a car. You should never buy anything blindly without speaking to the person and paying cash in person rather than transferring the money. This is what you get.

[@chrisnichols2611]

I don’t get the obsession with driving huge suvs in the United States. A Toyota Corolla would be large enough to fit a family of four and a fraction of the price. Not to mention the savings on gas.

[@zjones9876]

Not if you have a boat. That's not the point here anyway

[@greglopez8206]

This has to be a joke. This is 100 percent the “victims” fault.

[@JustiisLeague]

The most dangerous part here is identity theft. Now I am afraid to die for being mistaken. I guess this is one of the drawbacks of social media.

[@czonerx66-vc1wz]

Now they can use your voice without permission through AI

[@ThinkTankIllustration]

Never put money out of that magnitude for something you have not touched yourself.

[@redciroc1211]

This guys has to be crazy never would I wire that amount of money to anyone period

[@jrolle2011]

The problem is he didn't use a FRANCHISE dealer.

[@mikes6853]

Deandre doing pookie and Ray Ray things😂😂

[@Shackleford8]

They mispell on their website not because scammers can't spell but so that it only entices the ones dumb enough to pay. Anyone who notices spelling mistakes probably won't send $50k over a wire transfer.

[@johnlozowski102]

I shopped for about a year for my new Ford pickup.Found a good deal and ended up driving 75 miles to buy from a dealership THAT REALLY EXISTED! Just saying be careful with your life savings!

[@hybridstiger]

Never wire money until you see the car in person and ready to drive it home.

[@Lora-G]

So that's why you go to your local dealer and get eye contact, a handshake and a business card.

[@microscopic.caterpill]

The added dopamine in that moment of professional exchange knowing you’re about to receive your car is also so >>>>>

[@wileyjohnson5681]

You have to be more smarter than the scammers if not they are going to drain your bank acccount. $47K?

[@sharondalynnewton7562]

A fool and his money shall soon part!

[@Julian-do7bv]

So why not take that flight before sending the money and actually do the deal in person

[@asnboy1084]

I felt this way buying my house in cash. I never met the escrow company, just wire your life savings to a random bank

[@lour9348]

I wouldn't buy a set of tires online much less a car .. this guy has to win a prize for most gullible on the internet

[@seadweller386]

There is always a reason why vehicles are priced below market rate.

[@dystopia-usa]

Scammers love fools.

[@tarody3953]

You need to have the link to the FBI reporting website in the description.

[@broadwayshack1664]

the photoshop on the dealership pic is hilarious. i assume scammer didn’t put much effort into it since they know anyone who contacted them wouldn’t notice

[@Hellcat71782]

All they need to do is get 1 person to fall for it.

[@SL-lz9jr]

We really need to educate grown adults on digital literacy now. It’s as if the internet made everyone dumb. There are so many ways to vet a business and a website for legitimacy. But honestly, don’t buy a car online. You can certainly use the internet to look for a car but you should pick it up in person or arrange for a trusted friend or family member to do so. Even then, I’d caution against that

[@BlueEarthVibes]

I don’t trust buying a $20 item off facebook marketplace that is supposed to be shipped to me.

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

He wired the money BEFORE he got the car? My God man! I not too long ago bought my car from Tesla. They got a check from me AS I WAS GETTING MY CAR! Why would I wire you money to a completely different state if I haven't physically seen the car? I'm sorry, but I wouldn't wire the money PERIOD! If the deal was so great, I'd have no problems spending $500 to hop on a plane, get the car, PAY FOR IT THEN, and drive it home. But this leads me to another point. How great of a deal was it for you to go through all of this. So he paid $7,500 less than normal. Ok, so you hop on a plane and spend $500, then spend 3 days driving back home, which means you need to take time off of work to do this, spend a couple nights in a hotel/motel, you're going to spend $1,000. So now that $7,500 deal is only $6,500 + you taking time off of work + the stress of driving it back home. No thanks! Personally, I'd never by anything off of Facebook Marketplace, but if I did, the money exchanges hands AS I GET MY PRODUCT!

[@wileyjohnson5681]

Still missing the bigger picture. It wouldn't matter if he was wiring the money to a place that was two blocks from his house which still could have been a scam. It is the fact that he wired that type of money without physically seeing the car.

[@MikePianoMan85]

Yeah with idiots like this....these scams will never stop... $500 max to hold the car until delivery... But even then I'd have to see it or know it's real..

[@JoseAyala-p9w]

Stupid people always getting scammed for not having common sense. 😡

[@diggingmystyle]

Who the heck uses Facebook marketplace to buy something this expensive?

[@sting114]

Real dealers would lose money 💰 if they sell it to him for that discounted price

[@claytongross5657]

12 million a month

[@vintr2189]

How’d he make it this far in life being so naïve…

[@whatsreal7506]

$47k for a SUV... That's insane!

[@user-zf3xb3qx8w]

Not really. That's a new VW Tiguan. Bronco's up in Canada can re-sell for 100 GRAND. And they're getting it.

[@velazquez2009sergio]

Trucks that cheap is a scam. It's better to wait to buy a new one at the dealer

[@mikerichardson60]

Come on it's 2024. How can anyone be this gullible? Scammers wouldn't exist if not for the suckers looking for a "great" deal.

[@user-dw1ls3rp1l]

I wouldn't wire a thing. I'd be like- pick me up at the airport tomorrow in said car, and we are going to the bank together.

[@sharonrose50]

Just go to a an actual dealership and buy it in person so you can actually see what you are buying my goodness people just have no common sense anymore a very costly lesson learned.

[@h-e-acc]

He tried to buy a internal combustion engine road rage machine and got scammed in the process

[@richardtomasetti9766]

I feel bad for them. But I really dont understand why he sent the money. I have purchased cars out of state and there is no need to wire money before hand. I flew out to dealership and made the transaction in person.

[@parkerbohnn]

Where does a guy straight out of the army come up with that kind of money?

[@Djsweh]

Poor fella.. dang. I see everyone is a car buying expert in the comments 😂

[@meng6315]

Why would you wire that kind of money?! Should know better.

[@VICRAM809]

I just don't get it; why can't you go to a dealer?

[@BeaulieuTodd]

Hey, we’d like to run your story, but first… do you have any kids? Yes? Great! Labeling you as a Dad will boost our story ratings! 😂

[@butchbrown8333]

When will people learn?

[@adamwonder9607]

a fool and his money are soon parted smh

[@tonyda2656]

The odd thing is - you take $10,000 of that as a DP and finance or Lease a new SUV and keep the $37,000k in a high-interest savings, CD, or put it away in college funds. This was a TERRIBLE decision.

[@calilovebug3897]

People like to live in fantasy land where nothing can go wrong.

[@seand2711]

I feel bad for this dad, but NEVER send money to someone you've never at least met in person, especially a significant amount of money like that. Tough lesson to learn.

[@javiervelez892]

If it’s a four person family even a sedan can work out. The best family vehicle will always be a minivan.

[@ramluma]

"At this point, I drove to the airport, flew to Idaho, rented a car, drove to the location of where the dealership should be, the dealership was closed." That is what you do before giving $47,000.00, not after you give $47,000.00. Get off the internet. At least you got a good deal, instead of paying $51,000.00.

[@nunyabuziness8421]

Some dirtbag went to a dealer.took pics and acted like it was their car😂

[@cyrysvonnachtseite4546]

Phone companies should be held accountable…. Some 🐪 jockey acquires 100s of phone #s. HELLO. RED FLAG 🚩

[@jasonreed9721]

Damn bruh, this really aint the economy to be making these kind of mistakes……you are a pure liability .

[@mellytek213]

FB should be held accountable for some of that stolen money. I’ve reported dozens of fraudulent post on FB marketplace and FB does nothing about it.

[@johnnguyen6859]

Should never buy a vehicle from out of state. Best way to purchase is from local dealership such GMC, FORD, CHEVROLET ETC...

[@spencerkeys]

Funny thing is they made the guys photo look even better than the original

[@DrewM-sp7go]

You can never be tooo trusting in anyone yes there are good people in this world but also a lot of bad people as well