On Monday night, a couple was allegedly killed by a car dealer after they paid $35,000 for a vehicle three months priori and never got it. Then in December, car dealer Amado Badillo was in a courtroom to face charges for obtaining property by deception - again in a case where he never delivered on a car that a customer claims she paid for.
With widespread training in salvage title vehicles, it seems used car scams are becoming more common and one man came to our studio today claiming to be a victim of one. Gilbert Blair said he paid $13,000 for a van back in February 2024 and though the Magistrate has ruled that his dealer, Eden Crichton, pay up, he still hasn't gotten back his money.
Courtney Menzies spoke to him today and has this story.
Last year Gilbert Blair contacted someone known to him as a car dealer to purchase a 2014 Ford Econoline van. But after making the payment almost a year ago, he still hasn't gotten the vehicle.
Gilbert Blair, Scammed By Car Dealer
"I have known Mr Crichton since high school, we went to Wesley College, I trusted him. I gave him $13,600 to bring a car from the US to me since February of 2024 and since then he has completely blocked me and we have no communication."
But before Crichton reportedly blocked him, they were communicating via WhatsApp. Blair demanded his money back but Crichton acted like he was confused by the request. Blair then involved the courts.
Gilbert Blair, Scammed By Car Dealer
"I have taken him to court, the court has ordered that he repays but he's nowhere around, he's been hiding and everything and from what I have learned, it's not only me that he has done this to, it's several people. All I simply want back is my money, I work hard for my money."
Courtney Menzies:
"Why did you give this man this much money without getting something in return immediately?"
Gilbert Blair, Scammed By Car Dealer
"Well, Eden, like I said, he's an old classmate, he wears tie and suit with bible in his hand and preaches God's word. He's also a member of the council in Burrell Boom."
But despite all these green flags, almost a year later, Blair is now left weary, broke, and carless.
Courtney Menzies:
"Does this now make you skeptical next time you're trying to buy pretty much anything?"
Gilbert Blair, Scammed By Car Dealer
"Yes of course definitely, who are you supposed to trust? Because I had… in life you have to put trust in somebody at some point and when things like this happen, it really puts you at point where you have to go through it to understand it because God knows."
Courtney Menzies:
"In light recent events where that couple was killed by a car dealer, after seeing that, do you in any way fear for your life?"
Gilbert Blair, Scammed By Car Dealer
"I have no fear for no man, I fear God, no man."
Jules Vasquez:
"Has he threatened you with legal action? I think I saw that."
Gilbert Blair, Scammed By Car Dealer
"Yeah he has threatened me with legal action because he said it's defamation of character. You know you work so hard and people want to take away what's yours, that's ***obscenity***, the law needs to be stiffer or something because we work hard for our paper for them to just walk up and feel like it's right so?"
Jules Vasquez:
"How much is this hurting you financially in real terms?"
Gilbert Blair, Scammed By Car Dealer
"We borrow money, I borrowed money, I have to be paying back for something I haven't seen for over a year now, I invested my money to try and make back a little dollar. This man really did me bad."
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