A man who believed he was buying a BMW X3 for R$3,000 ended up losing R$900 after paying a ‘down payment’ and traveling to Murcia to collect the vehicle, without the seller showing up. According to the newspaper La Voz de Galicia, the case dates back to 2021 and will be analyzed in the Lugo courts, after the victim filed a complaint with the Mondoñedo Court for an alleged crime of fraud.
The situation involves not only the disappearance of the supposed seller, but also the action of a third person, the holder of the bank account to which the amount was transferred. According to the same source, the Public Prosecutor’s Office considers that there is evidence of a crime of money laundering due to serious negligence.
Account that received the money
The accusation focuses on the person who provided the bank account number where the 900 euros were deposited. The newspaper writes that this third person, of legal age and without a criminal record, provided his bank details to someone who could not be identified.
The publication adds that, after the transfer made by the victim, the amount was withdrawn and given to whoever had requested the use of the account. The prosecution understands that this conduct constitutes the crime of money laundering through gross negligence, provided for in article 301.3 in relation to article 301.1 of the Penal Code.
Announcement that triggered the lawsuit
The episode originated from an advertisement published on a well-known online platform. According to the same source, in February 2021 the victim contacted a person who advertised the sale of a BMW X3 for R$3,000.
The order from the Public Prosecutor’s Office says: “In February 2021, the affected person contacted a person who, via a website, advertised a BMW X3 model vehicle for sale at a price of 3,000 euros.” After negotiations, it was agreed to pay a deposit as a guarantee for the transaction.
The deposit and the trip
The transfer was made on February 28, 2021 to an account indicated by the alleged seller, in the name of a third party. According to the same source, the amount of 900 euros was intended to ensure the delivery of the vehicle.
The prosecutor’s defense details that “the affected party made a transfer of 900 euros as a deposit (…) until delivery of the vehicle to the account number that the alleged seller provided to him in the name of a third party”. Days later, the victim went to Murcia to close the deal.
A meeting that never happened
On March 2, 2021, the buyer showed up at the agreed location, but no one showed up to deliver the car. The same source says that, despite the contacts maintained, the supposed seller stopped responding and the vehicle was never delivered.
The order adds that “the supposed seller did not appear and the buyer had no further news about him or the vehicle.” Given the lack of response, the victim decided to press charges for fraud.
Sentences requested by the Public Ministry
The case now goes to trial in the Lugo courts. According to the , the prosecution requests that the accused be sentenced to a sentence of fifteen months in prison, in addition to a fine of R$1,800.
The complaint says that “the facts reported constitute a crime of money laundering due to serious negligence”, adding that the defendant is considered the perpetrator of the crime. Special disqualification from the right to contest elections during the period of conviction is also provided.
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