A man has been arrested and charged with orchestrating a sophisticated scam involving the sale and subsequent theft of vehicles on Facebook Marketplace, according to police reports. The suspect, identified as Mamadou Diallo, 24, from Kansas City, allegedly used the alias YabebaI Cherinet to carry out the fraudulent scheme.
Details of the Facebook Marketplace scam
The scam centred on two specific vehicles: a 2013 grey Honda Civic and a 2013 brown Buick Verano. Diallo is accused of selling these cars to unsuspecting buyers on Facebook Marketplace, accepting cash payments and providing what appeared to be legitimate documentation. However, in a brazen twist, he would then steal the vehicles back, often within a mere 24 hours of the sale.
How the thefts were uncovered
Victims of the scam played a crucial role in the investigation. Several individuals positively identified Diallo in police line-ups, providing key evidence for the case. In one particularly compelling instance, a woman managed to capture clear CCTV footage of Diallo in the act of stealing back a car just hours after she had purchased it from him. This visual evidence significantly bolstered the police case against the suspect.
Legal charges and financial impact
Mamadou Diallo now faces serious legal consequences for his alleged actions. The charges against him include six counts of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle and eight counts of forgery. The total financial losses resulting from this scam are estimated to be approximately $24,000, affecting multiple victims who believed they were making a legitimate purchase.
Diallo is currently being held in custody on a $30,000 bond. A bond-review hearing has been scheduled for January 27, 2026, where further legal proceedings will determine the next steps in the case. This arrest highlights the risks associated with private vehicle sales on online platforms and underscores the importance of due diligence for buyers.
