Latest news with #HondaCR-Vs
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia police are warning of surge in stolen cars being sold on Facebook Marketplace — what to watch out for
Gwinnett County Police in Georgia are warning car buyers to be cautious when shopping online, especially on Facebook Marketplace. Authorities have uncovered a scheme in which thieves are selling stolen vehicles — specifically Honda CR-Vs — with altered Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to unsuspecting buyers. The cars are primarily stolen from New York, given fake VINs and resold in the Atlanta area. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Public information officer Juan Madiedo of the Gwinnett County Police said the vehicles are being sold for between $29,000 and $30,000. 'They are pretty pricey,' he told Atlanta News First. 'They are making out with a lot of victims' money.' The investigation began when a local buyer reported VIN inconsistencies after taking their CR-V to a mechanic. That tip led police to uncover multiple victims and triggered a Facebook Marketplace sting, where investigators posed as buyers. The seller tried to flee but was caught. A second suspect, Karen Mendez, remains at large. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact 911. Read more: This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs VIN fraud — or 'VIN cloning' — involves copying a legitimate VIN from a similar car and placing it on a stolen one. The scammer makes the vehicle appear clean and legal during resale. The fraud has reached beyond individual buyers. Atlanta Used Cars unknowingly purchased a stolen vehicle through a Carvana auction. They only learned the truth after a customer reported it stolen. Authorities later traced the vehicle back to Hertz Rental Car Company. 'Saving up money for a down payment or the whole car, purchasing it and being accused of stealing it definitely from law enforcement is definitely not a good experience,' said Shameel Shad, the dealership's general manager. Carvana reimbursed the dealership after confirming the fraud. Shad said the experience forced his team to tighten their inspection process. They now triple-check VINs on the windshield, driver-side door and vehicle computer. Gwinnett County Police and consumer advocates recommend several steps to avoid becoming a victim of VIN fraud: Meet in a public place: Complete private car sales at a police station or designated 'safe exchange' zone. Cross-check the VIN: Make sure the number matches on the windshield, driver-side door, and title documents. Any mismatch is a red flag. Use an OBD2 scanner: These tools reveal the VIN stored in the car's electronic system, which scammers can't easily alter. Run a vehicle history report: Use services like Carfax, AutoCheck or the free VINCheck tool from the National Insurance Crime Bureau to check for theft or salvage records. Trust your instincts: If a deal seems too good to be true or the seller avoids basic questions, walk away. 'There is an endless amount of ways that people can commit fraud in this business, VIN swapping is the simplest and easiest to catch,' Shad said. 'But there are a lot of other crafty ways.' With online car sales on the rise, Gwinnett County Police say vigilance is key. Taking extra steps now could save buyers thousands or prevent legal trouble later. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Facebook Marketplace car theft ring ends in dozens of charges for 2 women, Gwinnett police say
Gwinnett County police have arrested two women in connection to a vehicle theft operation that transported stolen Honda CR-Vs from New York City to sell them through Facebook Marketplace in Georgia, police said. The investigation began in December 2024 when a Gwinnett County resident took his recently purchased Honda CR-V for routine service. 'The technician happened to notice something was off with the VIN number of the vehicle and alerted the customer,' said Cpl. Juan Madiedo with Gwinnett County police. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police set up an undercover purchase with the alleged seller, leading to the arrest of Mayreny Ciprian, who now faces 40 criminal charges. She was found inside another stolen CR-V with an altered VIN in December, police said. 'Little did she know she was actually meeting with detectives that day, but she was taken into custody without any incident,' Madiedo said. Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson learned the investigation expanded Monday with the arrest of 30-year-old Karen Mendez, who faces 19 felony charges for allegedly selling stolen vehicles with forged titles. TRENDING STORIES: EF1 tornado confirmed in Spalding, Butts counties from late night storms Georgia Tech student 'targeted' in deadly shooting at off-campus apartment Rapper Rod Wave arrested after shots fired at his metro Atlanta home Victims often lose both their money and their vehicle when police identify stolen cars. Fredy Juarez lost $10,000 in a similar scheme last year. 'Not everybody is to be trusted,' Juarez warned at the time. 'If you don't put a stop to this, these people will mess up somebody else.' Police believe additional suspects and victims are still out there. They urge anyone who purchased a Honda CR-V through Facebook Marketplace to have their vehicle inspected. 'If there's anything off on the VIN number, if you take a good look at it, please call us,' Madiedo said. Police recommend using designated e-commerce zones at police stations for online purchases, where officers can help verify vehicle information. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
View Exterior Photos of the 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring
Read the full review The top three trim levels of the Honda CR-V all use a hybrid powertrain. We really hope you like black wheels. The Sport Touring is the top-spec version of the Honda CR-V. Hybrid Honda CR-Vs represent all CR-V top trims and combine a 2.0-liter gas engine and two electric motors. EPA estimates for the all-wheel-drive CR-V Hybrid are 40 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined. Total system output is 204 horsepower. The Sport, Sport-L, and Sport Touring all feature black wheels and exterior trim, which makes it the only way to get a CR-V Hybrid. Continue scrolling to see more pictures of the Honda CR-V Hybrid. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
