Facebook vehicle sale case brings fraud charges in Montego Bay

MONTEGO BAY, St James — A man who responded to a Facebook advertisement for a vehicle told the court he ended up paying close to $900,000 after repeated requests for money, although the vehicle had first been listed for $250,000 and was never handed over.

The allegations were outlined on Wednesday when Janice Shaw and Demel Riley appeared before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton in connection with the matter.

Both are charged with making a computer device unlawfully available to facilitate an offence and conspiracy to defraud. Riley also faces a charge of engaging in a transaction involving criminal property.

Court material indicates that the case started sometime in September 2025, after the complainant came across a Facebook page offering repossessed vehicles for sale. One advertised unit was a black 2013 Subaru, with the price set at $250,000.

After showing interest, the complainant contacted the person behind the listing and signalled that he wanted to buy the vehicle.

Prosecutors allege that he was then instructed to place money in an account bearing Shaw’s name. The court heard that, following those directions, he deposited $250,000 in total.

The matter allegedly developed further on September 30, when the complainant received a call from a man who said he was an auctioneer manager. The caller requested another $400,000, saying the money was needed for the vehicle to be released.

The complainant sent that amount using banking details linked to Riley’s name, according to the records before the court.

The court was told that more requests followed. The complainant was later advised that a $110,000 clearance payment had to be made before the vehicle could be released. That payment reportedly went to an account held by another man, who is not currently before the court.

By October 3, the records show, further sums were being sought. Another $66,000 was paid into the account associated with Shaw, and later that same day a final demand for $50,000 was allegedly made in relation to the planned delivery of the vehicle.

After the vehicle did not arrive, the complainant made a report to the Area One Fraud Squad. Investigators opened an inquiry, which later resulted in Shaw and Riley being arrested.

At Wednesday’s sitting, the court was told that investigators were still awaiting bank statements and a statement from the complainant’s fiancée.

Judge Fairclough-Hylton continued bail for both accused and scheduled the case to return to court for mention on June 24.