Car buyer dupped out of $23K in ‘elaborate vehicle fraud scheme’

A man who said he was staying at an Airbnb in Pomona but drove to a Starbucks in Corona for coffee and a croissant was arrested in connection with “an elaborate vehicle fraud scheme,” authorities said Tuesday.

Corona police made two arrests during the Feb. 26 bust after a victim reported being scammed out of $23,000, the Police Department stated on its Facebook post.

The victim told authorities they found a vehicle on Craigslist and contacted the seller. After reviewing what appeared to be legitimate DMV paperwork at a local bank, the seller was paid the $23,000.

“The victim later discovered the registration documents were fraudulent,” police said.

Investigators found that the seller had rented the vehicle via the Turo app and forged the title.

Working with law enforcement, the victim found a similar advertisement online and arranged to meet the seller.

“The subject, later identified as Sebastian Flores, arrived in another vehicle he was attempting to fraudulently sell and was detained without incident.

Video of the arrest showed a sergeant trying to clarify Flores’ story that he just went to Starbucks for the croissant and coffee.

“So you’re staying in Pomona, and you live in Arizona, and you went to Corona just to get Starbucks?” the Sergeant asked. Flores responded with, “Yeah.”

A records check revealed Flores had an active felony warrant for conspiracy and auto theft, and evidence inside the vehicle showed fraudulent paperwork, police said.

Detectives also stopped a second vehicle trying to leave the scene that was believed to have arrived with Flores. That driver, identified as Lasso Floris, had a felony warrant for trafficking stolen vehicles, police said.

“Both suspects were transported to the Corona Police Department, where they were formally booked on multiple felony charges, including conspiracy, auto theft, and fraud,” police stated in the post.

Both have extensive criminal histories for similar crimes and police believe there are additional victims. Anyone victimized by either suspect was urged to contact their local law enforcement agency.

Police also reminded the public to verify vehicle documentation with the DMV before completing any transactions.