Michigan State Police warn of vehicle, trailer fraud targeting sellers
Michigan State Police officials are warning dealerships and private sellers about a rise in vehicle and trailer fraud schemes impacting communities across Michigan.
Investigators with the agency’s Southwest Commercial Auto Recovery team (SCAR) say they are handling multiple cases involving suspects believed to be operating out of the Chicagoland area. Authorities say the group is targeting sellers with schemes designed to look legitimate, then quickly moving vehicles and trailers out of state.
What investigators are seeing
Fraudulent cashier’s checks
- Suspects purchase trailers and sometimes vehicles using cashier’s checks that appear legitimate
- The checks are later found to be fake
- By the time fraud is discovered, the items are often already out of state
Online sales meetups
- Suspects arrange purchases through platforms like Facebook Marketplace
- Transactions often happen in parking lots or other informal locations
- Some vehicles may have cloned VINs, meaning the VIN matches a legitimate vehicle, but the car itself is stolen
Authorities say these scams often rely on speed, with buyers pushing to complete transactions before sellers can fully verify payment or vehicle details.
How to protect yourself
State police recommend taking the following precautions:
- Verify all forms of payment—do not rely on appearance alone
- Complete transactions at a bank or financial institution whenever possible
- Be cautious of out-of-state buyers or rushed deals
- Carefully check VIN numbers against official records
- Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true
- Trust your instincts—if something feels off, walk away
Dealerships and private sellers are encouraged to remain vigilant as these scams continue to surface across the state. Officials say awareness remains one of the most effective tools in preventing these types of crimes.
Anyone who suspects fraud or has information related to these incidents is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency or reach out to the Michigan State Police SCAR team by email at MSP-SCAR-KALAMAZOO@michigan.gov.
