Authorities in Wisconsin are looking for a suspect who has been accused of using a fraudulent cashier’s check to steal a pickup truck. According to the involved officers, this happened through what appeared to be a routine sale arranged through Facebook Marketplace.
The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office posted to Facebook about a recent call they received involving a vehicle transaction in Sawyer County. When investigated, the seller believed that they had completed a legitimate sale, only to discover later that the cashier’s check used to purchase the vehicle was fraudulent.
Unfortunately, by the time this revelation was made, the suspect had already driven away with the truck. The vehicle is said to be a black 2012 Ford F-350 dually quad cab pickup with a temporary Illinois registration. Police revealed as much information as they could about the suspect, including race, build, and clothing.
Currently, law enforcement is urging anyone who might have information to come forward, even saying that minor details would be helpful. The scam highlights the growing risks associated with purchasing objects from online marketplaces.
Scammer Steals Ford F-350
Investigators revealed that at the meeting, the suspect arrived in a gray Ram pickup truck, believed to be a 2015 to 2020 model. The vehicle was also reported hauling a dual-axle U-Haul trailer and did not have a front license plate.
It was also revealed that there were about two to three other passengers inside the Ram during the transaction who remained inside the vehicle the entire time. The suspect who got out of the vehicle and performed the transaction is the one listed as the primary suspect, with their information being listed for search.
The primary suspect is described as a Black male between 5 feet and 8 inches and 5 feet and 11 inches tall, weighing approximately 250 to 270 pounds. He was also reported as having a distinctive identifying tattoo of a long rectangular design with multiple vertical lines and additional markings between them on his right upper arm above the elbow. He was also cleably-shaven, dressed in black clothing, and wearing a flat-brim baseball cap.
Authorities Still on the Search
It has not been revealed exactly when the fraudulent transaction occurred or even where the truck might be located right now. However, investigators are actively seeking public assistance while they search for both the suspect and the missing vehicle.
Photos were released thanks to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office that show various sides of the truck in hopes that members of the public wil recognize them. Officials also used this very same Facebook post to remind residents to urge caustion when conducting transactions online, especially if they are high-dollar purchases.
It is recommended that vendors and customers meet in a public location and verify payment methods directly with banks if possible. Most importantly, they said to avoid accepting cashier’s checks without confirming authenticity.
Reactions to Stolen F-350 With Fake Cashier’s Check
Commenters shared their opinions in the comments below the Facebook post, with some offering late advice. In this vein, one person wrote, “Cash only from market place. If they have money in the bank to use a check then they have the cash to hand you.”
Others noted that the suspect will likely be caught quickly due to roadway cameras, saying, “With the amount of Flock cameras on our highways it shouldn’t take long for it to be located….. isn’t that what they’re for??”
Local authorities did not release the driver’s name, exact location, or additional identifying information. When agencies provide limited details, we supplement reporting with local news coverage, public records, and direct outreach whenever possible. In this case, no additional information was available at the time of publication.