If you’re looking to buy or sell a motorcycle on Craigslist in Oahu, it’s vital that you follow a few tips to stay safe. First, be aware of scams and crimes that can occur when using craigslist. In particular, watch out for a local motorcycle theft ring.
Crimes
A grand jury on Oahu has indicted seven people for crimes related to Craigslist motorcycles, including theft. Five of them have since been released on bail. During a five-year period, the ring stole and resold motorcycles by altering the serial numbers and selling them on Craigslist to unsuspecting buyers.
One of the crimes involved an Italian-made Aprilia RSV motorcycle that can hit nearly 170 mph. The ad was answered by two men. One of them got on the motorcycle, and the other hopped in a car. When the motorcycle was stolen, the victim shot and injured the driver, but the motorcycle was unable to flee the scene. Although deputies did not chase the motorcycle, they managed to collect DNA evidence that led them to Akintunde Abayomi. He was subsequently charged with armed robbery.
Scams on craigslist
While the Hawaiian Islands are known as a haven for relaxing vacations, it is also a popular target for scammers. Several people have been taken advantage of and lost money because of this. So before you make your next Craigslist motorcycles Oahu transaction, it is important to follow a few guidelines.
First, it’s vital to understand the difference between legitimate and fraudulent ads. Some Craigslist ads appear as if they’re for real properties, but in reality, they’re not. Scammers use these advertisements to gather personal information and financial information from potential victims. They often do this anonymously, so victims don’t realize that they’ve been scammed until it’s too late. In some cases, victims lose thousands of dollars in security deposit and other fees associated with the scam rental.
Another common scam involves fake emails from sellers. These emails may look like they came from craigslist or a third party. They may offer a guarantee or certification from a seller. They may also ask for payment in advance, rent, or even a cashier’s check, which is often far larger than the actual value of the motorcycle. The scammer will then request the balance by wire.
Before selling a motorcycle on Craigslist, it’s crucial to weed out scammers by checking the buyer’s background. Always make sure to get a bill of sale and apply for a new title in your home state. You should also make sure the person selling the motorcycle signs the bill of sale.
Motorcycle theft ring on Oahu
Authorities are investigating a motorcycle theft ring that operated on the island of Oahu. A grand jury has indicted seven people in the case. Five of them were arrested Tuesday and two others were issued bench warrants. The accused were involved in stealing motorcycles from mainland junkyards and reselling them with new serial numbers.
The group was known to dismantle stolen bikes and store the parts in four separate facilities. Then, a private garbage company driver was kept on the payroll to haul the scrap pieces away. The separate pieces were then shipped to four “fencemen,” who used the Internet to sell stolen goods. The entire process took days.
The ring targeted high-performance motorcycles from recent years. Often, the thieves struck at night to get away with a stolen motorcycle. They would then sell the stolen parts on popular Internet auction sites without revealing the serial number. The ring made thousands of dollars. Fortunately, the thieves were caught.
As far as safety is concerned, motorcycle theft is a growing problem on the island. The most common way to protect your motorcycle is by locking it to a fixed object or covering it. But if you are afraid of theft, you should consider installing a motorcycle alarm that features GPS monitoring and kill switches. These devices can be purchased for $100 to $400.
