A Facebook marketplace scam has been uncovered by Rye PD and the alledged perpatrator has been charged with grand larceny. Police report the scam involved the presentation of a fraudulent check to pay for a 2021 BMW M-5 listed for sale on Facebook.
Last Friday, March 20, 2026 around 6:45pm, Rye PD officers observed a blue BMW Sedan traveling southbound on Milton Road without license plates displayed. A traffic stop was initiated at the intersection of Milton Road and Rectory Street. The operator, who provided a valid Connecticut driver’s license identified herself as Mikayla Lumfuakiadi, stated she was operating the vehicle which had been recently purchased by her friend.
During the traffic stop, officers observed a Hispanic male subject in the passenger seat, who previously identified himself as 24-year-old Jose Gonzales of Bridgeport Connecticut, from a separate traffic stop earlier that day. Gonzales indicated that he had paid for the vehicle, but did not have a bill of sale, nor plates to attach to it. An investigation was launched and later revealed Gonzalez had purchased the vehicle with a fraudulent cashier’s check as well as attempting to identify himself as “Robert Hines” via a fraudulent Massachusetts driver’s license to the victim. The two had agreed to meet in the City Rye on Facebook Marketplace where the vehicle was listed for sale.
At the conclusion of the Rye PD investigation, Jose Gonzalez had admitted to providing a fraudulent check to the victim in order to purchase the BMW for $75,000. Gonzalez was placed under arrest and transported to Rye police headquarters for processing. The victim, a 23 year old male from Long Island, had his vehicle returned to him after providing the necessary paperwork.
Jose Gonzalez was charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th degree – Class E Felony; Grand Larceny 4th degree – Class E Felony; two Counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 3rd degree – Class A Misdemeanor; and Criminal Impersonation 2nd degree – Class A Misdemeanor. Gonzalez was released on his own recognizance and is due back in Rye City Court on Tuesday March 31, 2026, at 9:00am. Rye PD reminds you that booking charges are merely accusations and the defendant(s) are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
