A Central Florida woman lost nearly $27,000 after falling victim to an online RV scam that appeared legitimate at first glance.
The woman, who asked not to be identified, told WESH 2 News she had been searching for an RV for about six months. After her husband passed away, she planned to move closer to her daughter and live on her property in an RV so she could be near her grandchildren.
During her search, she came across what looked like the perfect listing.
The RV That Never Arrived
The RV, a 2019 Jayco Alante, appeared in a Facebook advertisement from a company called J&J Autoplex, which claimed to sell repossessed RVs.
According to the victim, the website looked professional, and the business appeared legitimate.
She and two family members reviewed the site, called the phone numbers listed for the company, and checked the details before proceeding.
Everything seemed to check out.
Confident in the purchase, she wired $26,900 to the company and was told the RV would be delivered on January 18.
The RV never arrived.
Soon after the payment was sent, the company’s phone numbers stopped working and the website disappeared.
“I’ve been having panic attacks, and I’m not sleeping,” she told reporters. “I’ve been crying nonstop.”
Investigators Find Major Red Flags
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is now investigating the case.
Screenshots taken before the scam website disappeared revealed several warning signs.
Some of the photos used on the site had Gemini AI watermarks, indicating they were generated with artificial intelligence rather than real dealership photos.
The listing also included an image showing the supposed dealership location in Lafayette, Louisiana, but the building did not match what appears on Google Maps.
Investigators also discovered that while a real business called J&J Autoplex exists in Louisiana, it is located in a different town. The scammers likely copied the name to make the operation appear legitimate.
The payment was wired to a company called SP Trusts LLC in Kissimmee, Florida. When the victim visited the address, she found a business with a similar name that had no connection to the transaction.
Scam Ads on Social Media
The case highlights a growing concern with fraudulent listings on social media platforms.
A Reuters investigation found that a significant number of scam ads appear on Meta platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. The investigation estimated that up to 10% of Meta’s global ad revenue could be tied to scam or illegal activity ads, though Meta disputes that figure and says it actively removes fraudulent ads.
Authorities say at least six victims have now filed complaints connected to the fake J&J Autoplex listings, with total reported losses reaching $71,000.
How RV Buyers Can Protect Themselves
Investigators recommend taking several steps before purchasing an RV online:
- Be cautious of RV listings found through social media ads
- Use reverse image searches to check if listing photos appear elsewhere online
- Verify the business through official state business registration databases
- Avoid wiring money to sellers you have not verified in person
- Confirm the dealership’s address using Google Maps or Street View
- Actually see the RV in-person before committing.
While the victim in this case has accepted she likely will not recover the money, she shared her story to help prevent others from falling into the same trap.
“I want my RV,” she said. “Send me my RV.”
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