Junk Cars for Cash

Last week, Craigslist scrapped its “Erotic Services” category after
one too many murderers used it to lure victims to their deaths. But
petty criminals should not despair: There are still plenty of ways to
skirt/break the law on the free classifieds website.

Our hero this week shall be identified only as Mike, for that’s the
name he uses on Craiglist, where he offers to buy junk cars for cash
— paying $150 if the sellers have a title for the vehicle, and
$100 if they don’t. His catchy slogan — spared his all-caps:
“Only company that will buy junk cars without title in Dade!”

When it seems like it might finally be time to part with that
beloved 1989 Chevy Nova (that you just stole), call Mike and his
associate, Manny, who will show up with a tow truck and a crisp
Benjamin. The car will be taken to a scrap yard in Broward County
— which, Mike says, is one of the few counties in the nation
where a title is not needed to resell a vehicle if it was manufactured
before 1999. In most cases, the engine and exhaust are the only parts
salvaged from a clunker. The rest is compacted.

“It’s completely legal,” promises Mike, who says he’s been pulling
the scheme for two years, and believes his posterior is covered. “Yeah,
all the time,” he responds casually when asked if he ever suspects a
car was jacked. “That’s why there’s a form that I make them sign that
says that it was acquired legally and that the seller takes full legal
responsibility if it’s stolen.”

Our confidence in the strength of Mike’s legal expertise took a
further hit when we called the Broward Sheriff’s Office and were told
our friend is full of shit. “He’s breaking the law,” Dani Moschella
says after checking the rules. “You definitely need a title to sell a
car in Broward County, no matter the model year.”