Man Arrested in Graves County Facebook Marketplace scam
Graves County – May 30, 2025 –
A Massachusetts man is in custody following an elaborate Facebook Marketplace scam targeting a Graves County resident. On Thursday, Romario Soares was apprehended facing charges related to a fraudulent transaction involving a tractor and a fake company. This article investigates the specifics of the scam, the investigation, and the warnings from authorities. Further details will follow.
Massachusetts Man Arrested in Graves County Facebook Marketplace Scam
May 30, 2025
A Massachusetts man is in custody after being apprehended on Thursday, accused of orchestrating an elaborate online scam that defrauded a Graves County resident through a fake Facebook Marketplace transaction. Romario Soares faces charges related to the operation of a sham company and theft by unlawful taking.
The Anatomy of the Scam
the incident unfolded in April when a Graves County resident, seeking to purchase a John Deere tractor, responded to an online advertisement. The ad, deceptively mimicking a legitimate equipment company based in Jasper, Tennessee, was actually a fraudulent page created by Soares.
Did you know? scammers often create fake websites or social media profiles that closely resemble legitimate businesses to trick unsuspecting buyers.
The victim, believing the ad to be genuine, agreed to wire $8,500 to the purported seller. The agreement stipulated that the tractor would be delivered to the victimS residence in Graves County. However, the tractor never arrived, and the seller ceased all communication, leaving the victim with a important financial loss.
Examination Uncovers Soares’ Involvement
A joint investigation by Graves County Sheriff’s detectives and Homeland Security agents traced the wired funds to an account belonging to Romario Soares, a resident of Massachusetts. Further investigation revealed that Soares had multiple similar accounts opened in his name, raising suspicions of a larger operation.
Authorities obtained search warrants for bank video footage of transactions in Massachusetts involving accounts linked to Soares. The footage confirmed that the money wired by the victim was indeed withdrawn by Soares. Additionally, surveillance video captured Soares’ vehicle near his home, further solidifying the case against him.
Arrest and Extradition
Last week, Graves County detectives contacted law enforcement in Massachusetts, requesting the execution of arrest warrants for Soares. The arrest was successfully carried out on Thursday. Soares now faces charges of operation of a sham or front company, a Class D felony, and theft by unlawful taking.
Pro Tip: Always verify the legitimacy of online sellers by checking their business credentials, reading reviews, and using secure payment methods.
Sheriff’s Warning and Future Prosecution
graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden emphasized the widespread nature of Soares’ alleged activities, stating that Soares is suspected in victimizing people all over the country.
Often times the scammers are located outside the United States, which makes prosecution difficult to impossible.
Sheriff Jon Hayden, Graves County Sheriff’s Office
Despite the challenges of prosecuting international scammers, Sheriff Hayden affirmed that Soares will be extradited to Kentucky to face criminal charges in Graves County.
