Oregon City, OR — A sophisticated car scam that has affected multiple victims is under investigation by Oregon City police, with ties to a fraudulent dealership and stolen vehicles from Texas. The scam, which has left victims out tens of thousands of dollars, was first uncovered in September when April and Jaime Correa discovered that their dream truck—purchased through a seemingly legitimate Oregon City dealership—was stolen.
The Correas had been searching for a new truck when they came across an ad for a 2023 GMC on Facebook Marketplace. The truck, listed for $45,000, seemed like an excellent deal, despite being slightly over their budget. After negotiating with the seller, Jaime and April secured the vehicle, and everything appeared to be in order. The dealership where they purchased the truck was well-organized, with accreditation from the Better Business Bureau and various business licenses displayed prominently on the walls.
But their excitement quickly turned to confusion and frustration when Jaime Correa began having trouble obtaining the title for the vehicle. Despite multiple attempts to contact the dealership, his calls went unanswered, and when he visited the location in person, he found the lot deserted.
“It just didn’t make sense,” Jaime said. “When we pulled up and saw no one there, we knew something was wrong.”
The Correas immediately contacted Oregon City police, who began an investigation. Upon checking the vehicle identification number (VIN), authorities discovered that the truck was linked to a stolen vehicle reported missing earlier in the year in Dallas, Texas. The VIN on the truck they purchased matched one for an $80,000 truck that had been stolen, confirming their worst fear.
The Correas were informed by police that the truck was now evidence in a criminal case and that their $45,000 was essentially lost. The news left them devastated. “I just kept asking, ‘What does this mean for us? What are we supposed to do now?’” April said, holding back tears.
The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) confirmed that the dealership where the Correas bought the truck was not licensed, a key factor that complicates efforts to recover stolen vehicles or financial losses. If the vehicles had not been stolen, the DMV explained, they could have helped trace the paperwork and titles, but in cases of theft, it falls to law enforcement to handle the investigation.
Oregon City police have declined to comment further, citing an ongoing investigation. However, the department has confirmed that detectives are working to identify the suspects responsible for the fraud and thefts.
The Correas are not the only victims in this scam. April Correa shared that she was aware of at least nine other individuals who had also fallen prey to the same fraudulent dealership. As the investigation continues, many victims are left hoping for justice—and for the possibility of recovering their lost money.
The original owner of the stolen truck, who had reported it missing from a Dallas movie theater in April, was later located by KATU Investigates. He expressed shock upon learning that his vehicle had been resold in Oregon, especially after his insurance had paid for the truck’s theft and the vehicle was auctioned off once it was recovered.
This case highlights the risks that come with purchasing cars through online platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Experts recommend caution when buying vehicles from unknown sellers, particularly if the deal seems too good to be true. Verifying the legitimacy of the dealership, ensuring the car is not listed as stolen, and checking the VIN are essential steps to avoid falling victim to similar scams.
As Oregon City police continue their investigation, the Correas and other victims hope that authorities can track down those responsible for the fraud and recover their lost funds.
For now, they remain frustrated and uncertain about their next steps. “We were just trying to get a truck that we could enjoy, and now it’s turned into a nightmare,” said April. “Hopefully, the people behind this will be caught and held accountable.”
