According to reports, a 17-year-old is accused of masterminding an elaborate $600,000 illegal car sale scheme in which police said he bought and sold multiple vehicles using a fake ID and fake money.
KHOU 11 News spoke to one of the teen's alleged victims who said they were looking for a Tesla that they believed was a perfect fit for the family. However, soon after the car was delivered they were met by investigators knocking on their door.
“The way I met him, he looked very professional,” said one of the teen's victims, Ali Momin. “He knew his business terms. He said he had an investment company.” Per KHOU 11, "Momin even met him at a Houston bank and said he put down 50% on the $120,000 car and verified with Tesla the teen was the owner. He got the keys and shipped the car to a relative in Atlanta."
“Local police authorities show up to his house and say this car was reported ... it was paid by someone using a fraudulent account,” Momin said.
The teen has since been charged with several felonies, including theft. “That’s what made this case so shocking to me was his age," HPD Sgt. Darren Schlosser said. "He had recently turned 17."
“He purchased two cars fraudulently from dealerships in Houston then he sold those cars to individuals -- one in California and one in Atlanta," Schlosser said. “So far what we have are Teslas, Corvettes and an Escalade."
Momin told reporters that his family is currently trying to get back their $60,000 that was put down on the car they no longer have. But he expressed how disconcerting the entire ordeal has been, specifically considering the age of person behind it all. “It shook my soul a little bit. A 17-year-old guy ... I’m 38 ... basically, how easily someone can fool you,” Momin said.
Source: khou.com
