Owning a Ram truck is often seen as a symbol of freedom and reliability. However, for one Ohio man, his dream of owning a Ram truck quickly turned into a shocking ordeal, proving that sometimes, deals that seem too good to be true often are. His story serves as a stark warning for anyone looking to buy Ram Trucks, or any vehicle, from online marketplaces like Facebook.
John Turco, an Ohio resident, was browsing Facebook Marketplace in search of his next vehicle when a white Ram truck caught his eye. Excited by the prospect of owning a Ram truck, he inquired about the vehicle. The seller provided a Tennessee title, explaining they had previously lived in that state, which seemed plausible. To his credit, John took what he thought were diligent steps to verify the truck’s legitimacy. He conducted three separate VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) checks, and all came back clean. Going a step further, he even contacted a Dodge dealership in Tennessee, providing the VIN. They confirmed servicing the Ram truck in August 2024, seemingly corroborating the seller’s story.
Confident that everything was in order, John secured a $28,000 loan, met the seller in Indiana, and drove his new Ram truck home. He obtained insurance and visited the Butler County Clerk of Courts to process the out-of-state title. Everything appeared legitimate, and John was pleased with his purchase.
However, two weeks later, what started as a routine doctor’s appointment turned into a scene straight out of a crime drama. As John exited his appointment, he was met by six police officers – Fairfield Township Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. While initially reassured he wasn’t in trouble, the reality was far more unsettling.
The police were there because John had unknowingly purchased a stolen Ram truck, a victim of a sophisticated scam known as “cloning.” Car cloning involves thieves stealing a vehicle and then replacing its VIN with one from a legitimate, non-stolen vehicle of the same make and model. In John’s case, the legitimate VIN belonged to a Ram truck serviced by the Tennessee dealership. The dealership became suspicious when an Ohio title application was filed for a vehicle they knew had no Ohio connection, triggering a police investigation.
The consequences for John Turco are devastating. He not only lost his Ram truck, which was seized by the authorities as stolen property, but he is also still responsible for the $28,000 loan. Despite being an innocent victim of a car theft scheme, he is now saddled with monthly payments of $450 for the next five years for a Ram truck he no longer possesses. Adding insult to injury, he is also out of pocket for expenses like an oil change, a hard top, new sideboards, and BMV costs associated with the cloned Ram truck.
John’s heartbreaking story highlights the increasing risks associated with buying used Ram trucks and other vehicles online, especially through platforms like Facebook Marketplace and from out-of-state sellers. While online marketplaces can offer convenience and a wide selection of Ram trucks, they also present opportunities for scammers to operate.
This incident serves as a critical reminder to exercise extreme caution when purchasing used Ram trucks or any vehicle privately. Always be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, and conduct thorough due diligence beyond basic VIN checks. Consider independent inspections by qualified mechanics and be especially cautious with out-of-state titles and sellers met in unfamiliar locations. Protect yourself from becoming the next victim of a cloned Ram truck scam by prioritizing caution and vigilance in your used car buying journey.
