[d.c.] Paid Transporter Won’t Release My Car, Keeps Demanding More Money, Police Involved

Location: Washington D.C. (California and Pennsylvania involved as well)

A few weeks ago I signed a contract to have my vehicle and belongings ground transported from San Jose, CA to Washington DC for an agreed amount; I paid a portion up front via credit card as a deposit, the rest to be paid upon delivery of the vehicle. (This was my first time doing this if it matters at all)

The person I initially communicated with and ultimately heard from the most throughout this entire process was the broker who had me sign the contract. Less than a week after signing the contract, we arranged for my vehicle to get picked up by the driver. I met the driver and handed over my vehicle and keys. Soon after taking possession of my vehicle, the broker reached out demanding more money and that I sign a new contract that was 3x the original price “if you want your vehicle.” I refused to do either. Incessant calls followed everyday (that I did not answer) and demanding, high-pressure, borderline threatening texts followed as well.

I eventually called out to the driver himself to see if I could pay him directly to get my vehicle. He wanted $500 via PayPal “Friends and Family only” now and $1,000 cash upon delivery. Stated once I paid the $500 he would bring my vehicle to me. He sent me an email with the subject line “$500 for release of vehicle” and the PayPal link, I sent the money. 2 days passed, I heard nothing. Please note, the moment I hung up with the driver, the broker has not contacted me since even though he was sending me all manners of crazy texts and repeated phone calls that morning.

I reached out and asked if I could retrieve my vehicle myself and pay the driver wherever he is. He gave me a residential address in Pennsylvania, said it was his “office” where my vehicle was parked. Instructed me to pay “them” at his “office.” When I asked for confirmation that it would just be $1,000, he said “It’s going to be a little more.” I asked how much, he said “they” would tell me when I got there. I told him I needed an amount before I leave. I said “Let me get back to you” and never did.

I spoke to the Pennsylvania state police; they stated if San Jose would file any kind of auto theft charge and put it in NCIC, PSP or the local police would go retrieve my vehicle for me. I contacted San Jose and after being on the phone for over an hour, they decided it was a civil matter and if they wanted to pursue this, they couldn’t because I was not physically there.

Did some serious legwork and found my vehicle on private property in an industrial area (not parked at the driver’s “office” as previously claimed.) I got the local police involved. My vehicle is backed into a parking spot up against the building on the property and another vehicle is in front of my vehicle, bumper to bumper with absolutely no wiggle room. No other vehicle is like this on the property.

I got the local police involved. Told them everything. They ran the plates of the vehicle blocking me in, it belongs to the driver. They called the driver and demanded he come move his vehicle and give me the keys. He said he would call back. He never did nor did he move his vehicle after we waited some time.

I found the number to his “office” and the officer called. A woman answered, the officer introduced himself, she freaked out and hung up. He called back, no one answered. The driver stopped answering his phone.

The officer said he and the other officers aware of the situation would monitor to see if the driver moves his vehicle so they can towed my truck to the pound and I can just pick it up there. It’s been several days, my vehicle is still blocked in and no word from the driver (I have not reached out.) As of today, the officers stated my vehicle is still blocked in by the driver’s car.

Any helpful feedback is much appreciated. I don’t know what to do at this point besides file a small claims suit with the little bit of information I have about the driver.