A Facebook Marketplace sale goes terribly wrong. A woman was allegedly robbed at gunpoint while trying to buy a used car. Police say there are more victims falling for this scam.”I just lost all my life savings,” victim, Nijme Fardous, said.Fardous wanted a new car. She saw an advertisement on Facebook Marketplace for a used 2020 Ford Explorer listed for $15,000. She messaged the seller to learn more.”I told her I wanted to come, but I’m like four hours away from her,” Fardous said.She drove from Dearborn, Michigan, to Cincinnati with $14,500 cash after sending $500 before leaving. When Fardous made it to an Ashland Avenue parking lot with her parents, something seemed off.”So, we go to the parking lot. I get into the truck with her, and we’re counting the money,” Fardous said.The seller who police have identified as 32-year-old Amanda Renn Griffin went into her boyfriend’s car during the exchange, came back to Fardous who was in the Ford, and things escalated. Fardous says Griffin had a gun to her head and demanded for her to exit the car. Griffin took off with her boyfriend and the cash.”Always remember that you never get something for nothing and if it sounds too good to be true it absolutely is,” Det. Charles Zopfi with the Cincinnati Police Department said.Zopfi believes there are more people falling for Griffin’s online advertisements.”Researching through her Facebook account, I know of at least six to eight other individuals that were victimized,” Zopfi said.Police say there are six felony warrants out for Griffin’s arrest in Ohio and one in Kentucky. Zopfi says she also goes by “Mandii Remii” on Facebook.”What we’re asking people to do whether you’re buying or selling, arrange with whoever you’re dealing with, to do the transaction at any police station. I don’t think there’s a police station in the state of Ohio that wouldn’t be willing to have you do it there,” Zopfi said. If you have dealt with Amanda Renn Griffin through Facebook or other related website, you’re asked to contact District 2 at 513-979-4400 and leave a message for Zopfi. If you have seen Griffin or know her whereabouts, contact Crimestoppers and give them as much detailed information about that as possible.
A Facebook Marketplace sale goes terribly wrong. A woman was allegedly robbed at gunpoint while trying to buy a used car. Police say there are more victims falling for this scam.
“I just lost all my life savings,” victim, Nijme Fardous, said.
Fardous wanted a new car. She saw an advertisement on Facebook Marketplace for a used 2020 Ford Explorer listed for $15,000. She messaged the seller to learn more.
“I told her I wanted to come, but I’m like four hours away from her,” Fardous said.
She drove from Dearborn, Michigan, to Cincinnati with $14,500 cash after sending $500 before leaving. When Fardous made it to an Ashland Avenue parking lot with her parents, something seemed off.
“So, we go to the parking lot. I get into the truck with her, and we’re counting the money,” Fardous said.
The seller who police have identified as 32-year-old Amanda Renn Griffin went into her boyfriend’s car during the exchange, came back to Fardous who was in the Ford, and things escalated. Fardous says Griffin had a gun to her head and demanded for her to exit the car. Griffin took off with her boyfriend and the cash.
“Always remember that you never get something for nothing and if it sounds too good to be true it absolutely is,” Det. Charles Zopfi with the Cincinnati Police Department said.
Zopfi believes there are more people falling for Griffin’s online advertisements.
“Researching through her Facebook account, I know of at least six to eight other individuals that were victimized,” Zopfi said.
Police say there are six felony warrants out for Griffin’s arrest in Ohio and one in Kentucky. Zopfi says she also goes by “Mandii Remii” on Facebook.
“What we’re asking people to do whether you’re buying or selling, arrange with whoever you’re dealing with, to do the transaction at any police station. I don’t think there’s a police station in the state of Ohio that wouldn’t be willing to have you do it there,” Zopfi said.
If you have dealt with Amanda Renn Griffin through Facebook or other related website, you’re asked to contact District 2 at 513-979-4400 and leave a message for Zopfi. If you have seen Griffin or know her whereabouts, contact Crimestoppers and give them as much detailed information about that as possible.
