On May 24, 2026, a Colleton County resident met with two prospective buyers on Drain Road in the Smoaks area after listing a UTV for sale on Facebook Marketplace. The UTV had been advertised for $23,000. Prior to the meeting, the buyers requested that the seller deliver the vehicle to the location. Upon arrival, the seller accepted a cashier’s check in the amount of $25,000 for the purchase.
The following day, the seller discovered that the cashier’s check was counterfeit and reported the incident to law enforcement.
While investigating the case, Colleton County Sheriff’s Office Detectives were contacted by another pair of individuals who had also listed a UTV for sale on Facebook Marketplace. These individuals reported being approached by prospective buyers who requested that they deliver their UTV to the same location on Drain Road in Smoaks. The sellers became suspicious of the circumstances after learning that a friend had recently been victimized during a similar sales transaction involving a UTV.
Detectives interviewed the individuals and determined that the information provided by the prospective buyers closely matched the circumstances of the May 24 incident.
On May 29, 2026, Detectives coordinated an undercover operation utilizing an undercover deputy posing as the seller. During the arranged transaction, the suspects presented a cashier’s check that matched the counterfeit check used in the May 24 incident. Once the fraudulent check was presented and confirmed, Detectives moved in and took the suspects into custody without incident.
The cashier’s check was verified to be counterfeit, and investigators also determined that the suspects were operating a rental vehicle at the time of their arrest.
The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office encourages citizens conducting online sales transactions to take precautions to protect themselves from fraud and theft. Whenever possible, meet buyers and sellers in a safe, public location, such as the Sheriff’s Office or another well-lit area with surveillance cameras.
Citizens should also exercise caution when accepting cashier’s checks, money orders, or other forms of payment that can be counterfeited. Whenever possible, verify the authenticity of a check with the issuing financial institution before releasing property. If something about a transaction seems unusual or too good to be true, trust your instincts and contact law enforcement for guidance.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
