A Missouri man is now facing a lengthy list of felony charges after prosecutors say he ran a Facebook Marketplace scheme that sold vehicles to unsuspecting buyers, then allegedly took them back after the deal was done.
The Charges
Jackson County prosecutors announced Tuesday that 24-year-old Mamadou Diallo has been charged with 14 felonies tied to the alleged operation, including six counts of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle and eight counts of forgery. Prosecutors allege the scheme touched at least eight victims and led to combined losses topping $24,000. It’s important to note these remain allegations at this stage — Diallo has not been convicted.
How the Pattern Emerged
Court records show the Kansas City Police Department first noticed something odd in stolen vehicle reports filed between May and June 2025. Each case involved a car that had recently changed hands through Facebook Marketplace. Investigators traced the sales back to a single online alias, which they say they eventually linked to Diallo.
According to police, the alleged seller met buyers in person to close each deal and handed over paperwork that looked legitimate, including titles and bills of sale. Not long after buyers took possession of their new vehicles, they’d report them stolen — kicking off a fresh investigation each time.
A Familiar Pattern, Then a Denial
Detectives said the theft reports followed a similar timeline and method closely enough that they were able to zero in on Diallo as the suspected seller across multiple cases. When investigators questioned him, Diallo reportedly denied ever buying or selling vehicles on Facebook Marketplace.
Prosecutors allege the scheme let Diallo collect payment from buyers while retaining or regaining access to the vehicles afterward, leaving victims out both their car and their money. If convicted on every count, he could face a combined sentence of up to 98 years in prison.
Custody Status and Prior Record
As of Tuesday morning, Diallo remained held at the Jackson County jail on a $30,000 cash-only bond, and sheriff’s offices in three other Missouri counties have placed additional holds on him. Court records also show this isn’t his first brush with these kinds of charges — earlier in 2025, he was charged with tampering with a motor vehicle, stealing a motor vehicle, and aggravated fleeing from police.
The case remains under review as prosecutors prepare for upcoming court proceedings.