Hillsborough man arrested in ‘title-washing scheme' facing more charges
The Brief
A Hillsborough County man is facing more charges related to a "title-washing scheme."
He was previously arrested in January on 12 separate charges, also related to vehicle fraud.
While investigators say Njie's case is unique, they urge anyone buying a used car to do their due diligence, because stolen cars are often resold.
TAMPA, Fla. - A Hillsborough County man is facing more charges related to a "title-washing scheme."
On Tuesday, Ahmed Njie, 40, was arrested and is facing 21 charges, including selling or possessing a vehicle with altered numbers, forged motor vehicle title and grand theft of a motor vehicle.
Three weeks ago, FOX 13 reported his January arrest on 12 charges.
READ: Hillsborough car salesman accused of running 'title washing scheme'
The backstory
"We believe this is a pretty large enterprise essentially," Kathryn Bonti, lead trial attorney for the Hillsborough State Attorney's office economic crimes unit, said.
According to court documents, Njie is accused of changing the VIN numbers on vehicles and then re-titling them in different states. A new title erases the vehicle's history, which opens the door for resale. This is known as "title-washing," experts say.
"In some of the other cases, we see that he is actually defrauding victims in purchasing these vehicles. So what we think – which we can't say for sure because we're not clear exactly – but the game is to return a large profit from these potentially stolen vehicles," Bonti said.
Dig deeper
Court documents accuse Njie of getting a fake title for a Range Rover that was reported stolen out of Lake City back in 2022.
READ: Florida man arrested after topping 130 mph on Suncoast Parkway: HCSO
"We're seeing that he has moved close to 10 to 20 vehicles, some of them being $85,000 to $100,000 for an individual vehicle," Bonti added.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Auto Theft Unit started investigating Njie and his associates last March when they tried to re-title a Mercedes-Benz with a lien in Plant City.
A new title means there's no lien, so no outstanding payments are owed.
"This case is unique -- the fact that this suspect did this type of activity so many times," Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Carolina Montelongo said.
Big picture view
The Hillsborough State Attorney's Office is currently investigating other title-washing cases in the Bay Area.
READ: Testimony continues in trial of man accused of decapitating newly adopted dog
They encourage anyone buying a used car to double-check the car's original VIN number, which can be permanently etched in places scammers might overlook.
"They could be hidden in the trunk. They could be hidden underneath the carrier of the vehicle itself. I know that may be difficult to do when you're at, maybe, a public area, but those are the things you just want to be careful with when you're purchasing these vehicles," Bonti told FOX 13. "Because, down the road, you could find out that this car was stolen."
What's next
After his latest arrest, Njie appeared in court on Wednesday, where his public defender didn't say anything except to answer one yes/no question from the judge.
The 40-year-old is being held without bond.
At Njie's court appearance three weeks ago in January, his attorney told the court that he is employed as a "car salesman and a business owner."
The Source
FOX 13's Ariel Plasencia collected the information in this story.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android
Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
Download the SkyTower Radar app
Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Manhunt for Travis Decker continues more than 2 weeks later
The manhunt for Travis Decker, a 32-year-old U.S. Army veteran wanted in connection with the brutal slayings of his daughters, who were found dead earlier this month, entered just over two weeks on Tuesday, June 17. The children's mother, Whitney Decker, reported the girls missing on Friday, May 30, after the siblings left their central Washington home for a planned visit with their father, the Wenatchee Police Department reported. Wenatchee is in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office reported Monday, June 16, that their deputies and tactical teams were looking for Decker in the Teanaway Valley and Blewett Pass areas. In an online social media post, the department was asking residents to be alert for anyone suspicious. The law enforcement agency is located about an hour south of where the girls disappeared. The joint local, state and federal multi-jurisdictional hunt for Decker entered day 15 after deputies discovered the girls' bodies on June 2 at Rock Island Campground. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office, the lead agency on the triple murder case, reported a deputy found Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, lifeless with plastic bags over their heads and evidence that their hands had been zip-tied. Also on June 16, Wenatchee Mayor Mike Poirier released a statement to Fox 13 news calling the case worse than "a nightmare" and reminding people to take care of one another, no matter the circumstances. "Everybody has nightmares, but can you image, this is beyond a nightmare. This is something that should affect us," the Seattle-based outlet reported the mayor said. "Never forget and remember to support each other in a time of need and even in not a time a need." USA TODAY contacted Poirier, who referenced his statement to Fox 13. Here's what to know about the case so far. Florida man pees on meat in store: $10,000 worth of food was urinated on in Sam's Club. State officials issued an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) for the school-age sisters on May 31. Washington State Patrol was originally contacted on May 30 to request an Amber Alert, but the situation "did not meet the required criteria" at the time, Wenatchee police said. The girls' father was homeless and living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup at the time they vanished, according to police. Police said he is a former military member with extensive training who "may pose a significant risk, if approached." Court filings obtained by USA TODAY say Travis Decker reportedly exhibited mental health issues before the girls' deaths. Police described Travis Decker as a white man with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5'8'' and weighing 190 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts. Travis Decker is wanted for three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree kidnapping and three counts of first-degree custodial interference, police said. Authorities are asking for the community's assistance in locating him. As of June 17, a reward of up to $20,000 was being offered for information leading to his arrest, the sheriff's office confirmed. Opinion - Decker sisters needed protection: Our court system failed them. In the days after police announced the hunt for Decker, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told USA TODAY there had been dozens of alleged Decker sightings, including one investigated by the McCall Police Department in Idaho. The agency said it received reports of someone who looked like Decker in the western part of the Gem State. The small resort town of McCall is about 450 miles southwest of where the search for Decker is currently focused. Morrison told USA TODAY his office and law enforcement in Idaho had deemed the reports uncredible. Police could not say whether Decker was armed while on the lam. Anyone who sees him or with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911. Tipsters can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit their information online at Contributing: Anthony Robledo Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Search for Travis Decker continues more than 2 weeks later
USA Today
5 days ago
- USA Today
Manhunt for Travis Decker continues more than 2 weeks later
Manhunt for Travis Decker continues more than 2 weeks later Show Caption Hide Caption Manhunt for Travis Decker intensifies Authorities warn that Travis Decker, who is accused of kidnapping and killing his daughters, may be capable of surviving off the grid for months. Fox - Seattle The manhunt for Travis Decker, a 32-year-old U.S. Army veteran wanted in connection with the brutal slayings of his daughters, who were found dead earlier this month, entered just over two weeks on Tuesday, June 17. The children's mother, Whitney Decker, reported the girls missing on Friday, May 30, after the siblings left their central Washington home for a planned visit with their father, the Wenatchee Police Department reported. Wenatchee is in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office reported Monday, June 16, that their deputies and tactical teams were looking for Decker in the Teanaway Valley and Blewett Pass areas. In an online social media post, the department was asking residents to be alert for anyone suspicious. The law enforcement agency is located about an hour south of where the girls disappeared. The joint local, state and federal multi-jurisdictional hunt for Decker entered day 15 after deputies discovered the girls' bodies on June 2 at Rock Island Campground. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office, the lead agency on the triple murder case, reported a deputy found Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, lifeless with plastic bags over their heads and evidence that their hands had been zip-tied. Also on June 16, Wenatchee Mayor Mike Poirier released a statement to Fox 13 news calling the case worse than "a nightmare" and reminding people to take care of one another, no matter the circumstances. "Everybody has nightmares, but can you image, this is beyond a nightmare. This is something that should affect us," the Seattle-based outlet reported the mayor said. "Never forget and remember to support each other in a time of need and even in not a time a need." USA TODAY contacted Poirier, who referenced his statement to Fox 13. Here's what to know about the case so far. Florida man pees on meat in store: $10,000 worth of food was urinated on in Sam's Club. What date were the Decker girls reported missing? State officials issued an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) for the school-age sisters on May 31. Washington State Patrol was originally contacted on May 30 to request an Amber Alert, but the situation "did not meet the required criteria" at the time, Wenatchee police said. The girls' father was homeless and living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup at the time they vanished, according to police. Police said he is a former military member with extensive training who "may pose a significant risk, if approached." Court filings obtained by USA TODAY say Travis Decker reportedly exhibited mental health issues before the girls' deaths. What does Travis Decker look like? Police described Travis Decker as a white man with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5'8'' and weighing 190 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts. Is there an award for Travis Decker's arrest? Travis Decker is wanted for three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree kidnapping and three counts of first-degree custodial interference, police said. Authorities are asking for the community's assistance in locating him. As of June 17, a reward of up to $20,000 was being offered for information leading to his arrest, the sheriff's office confirmed. Opinion - Decker sisters needed protection: Our court system failed them. Alleged Travis Decker sightings In the days after police announced the hunt for Decker, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told USA TODAY there had been dozens of alleged Decker sightings, including one investigated by the McCall Police Department in Idaho. The agency said it received reports of someone who looked like Decker in the western part of the Gem State. The small resort town of McCall is about 450 miles southwest of where the search for Decker is currently focused. Morrison told USA TODAY his office and law enforcement in Idaho had deemed the reports uncredible. Police could not say whether Decker was armed while on the lam. Anyone who sees him or with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911. Tipsters can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit their information online at Contributing: Anthony Robledo Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
The Hill
5 days ago
- The Hill
‘No Kings' protestor who died was ‘Project Runway' designer
(NewsNation) — The man who died after a 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been identified as a fashion designer and former contestant on 'Project Runway,' according to reports. 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was killed by a stray bullet when shots were fired at the protest by a man who is believed to have had an AR-15 and another man believed to be part of a peacekeeping team. Police say Ah Loo died at the hospital. The volunteer told police that he had seen 24-year-old Arturo Roberto Gamboa acting suspiciously before he pulled out an AR-15, according to local station FOX 13. Two volunteers told Gamboa to drop the weapon, but he allegedly refused and began running toward the crowd. During a press conference on Sunday, Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said he is unsure why the man had a rifle, but he has been charged with murder, and they are accusing him of creating the situation that led to Ah Loo's death. Ah Loo reportedly dedicated his life to celebrating artists who are from the Pacific Islands. He has a wife and two children, according to the GoFundMe page that was started by his family. That fund has raised over $205,000 as of Monday afternoon. Ah Loo was born in Samoa and was known by most people as Afa. State Rep. Verona Mauga said that he was all about doing 'the good things for his neighbors and community.' Mauga was at the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City, only a few blocks from the shooting. She told The Associated Press, 'If Afa was going to go out any other way than natural causes, it would be standing up for marginalized and vulnerable communities and making sure that people had a voice.' She also said that Ah Loo was great at bringing people together and connecting 'culture and diversity and service.' According to The Associated Press, Ah Loo had co-founded Create Pacific with a hair salon innovator from Fiji, Benjamin Powell. The organization is meant to help artists from the Pacific Islands. Powell talked to the outlet about Ah Loo's work, saying, 'You would know right away that it was an Ah Loo design.' Powell had been working with Ah Loo for an upcoming fashion show in August. Despite Ah Loo's death, Powell said 'the show will continue' and honor Ah Loo in the process. Ah Loo was a contestant on 'Project Runway' in 2017, a reality show where fashion designers create runway looks on deadline. Ah Loo had also recently designed an outfit for Hawaiian actor Auliʻi Cravalho, who is the star of 'Moana 2.' She wore that outfit on the red carpet premiere for the film in November. At the time, she said, 'This was the first time I was so active in helping to design a custom look, and Afa surpassed what I had envisioned.' Ah Loo also volunteered his time, creating clothing for people in need, according to Mauga. She also said that he wouldn't let people pay him a lot of the time. Ah Loo would make blazers and dresses on short notice for Mauga. 'Afa was so much a part of the community,' she said. Rep. Doug Fiefia wrote on social media, 'My prayers are with his family, friends, and all who knew him. He was a bright light in our Polynesian community and will be deeply missed. May his loved ones feel peace and comfort during this difficult time. Rep. Tyler Clancy also wrote on social media, saying, 'Afa was a wonderful man & father who looked out for his community. Sending all of the love & prayers.'
