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Joshua David Burns Sub-Lease your Car? You'll never see it again! High-end car scam leaves you high and dry Irvine, Newport Beach, Orange County California
Due to changed financial circumstances I advertised my leased auto, a Mercedes Benz R500, on several auto lease assumption web sites with a view to unburdening myself of large monthly lease payments.
Most leasing companies will let your car be leased to a third party who has met credit approval with them. However, if anything goes wrong they may come back to you. But that's not the worst that can happen. Read on.
I had received no offers from the "legitimate" sites but I was approached by Joshua David Burns of Premier Auto Brokers of (?) Orange County, California via email. He purported to guarantee monthly payments to the lease company, Mercedes Benz Finance, through the remainder of the lease while finding a safe home for the auto with a third party customer. Insurance and registration would also be covered.
Mr. Burns and I exchanged contractual documents and I handed him the keys to my car at my home in December 2007. And then - silence.
After leaving several email and voicemail messages for Mr. Burns he called me on January 6th, 2008, assuring me that all was well and that he was making the payment for January that day (the due day for the January lease payment),
Mr. Burns never made the payment. My attempts to contact him since January 6th have been frustrated; he has not replied to my voice messages or my emails.
The vehicle is equipped with Tele Aid service that has the capability to trace the vehicle if stolen. The service said the Tele Aid has been disconnected.
Last week I retained a special kind of private investigator known as a "skip tracer" who knows Joshua Burns and says this is his third or fourth re-named company (that's why I didn't put Premier Auto Brokers in the heading). The investigator says he has duped HUNDREDS of people out of their cars, leaving them with a choice between bankruptcy and making continuing payments on a car they will never see again.
In 2005 the Colorado Highway Patrol and the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles jailed a person who had been running a similar scam. Charges: Unlawful subleasing of a vehicle - violation of California Penal Code no. 571; Embezzlement - violation of California Penal Code no. 504.
I complained to the CHP; they said it was a local matter. So I called several Orange County precincts; they said that since the "crime" started in Colorado, it was a Colorado matter.
So I registered a complaint in Colorado; they said Burns had broken no criminal laws in Colorado, and that since I signed a contract it was a civil "breach of contract" matter and I should find a lawyer. I checked Colorado law, and they were right. But California is different.
So I am stuck with what prededent has already established is a crime, but no police department with the slightest interest in prosecuting it.
It is apparently in this "gray area" of the law - is it civil, is it criminal - in which Burns and many like him are grubbing around ruining people's lives for their own profit.
So I called my insurance company to claim the loss; a clause in my policy lets them out of paying against this kind of "conversion", as they call it.
This is what you call being sh-- out of luck.
I did not go into this with eyes closed; I investigated Burns and Premier Auto with BBB, background checkers and so on. I found nothing. I am publicising my own stupidity in the hope that someone will be spared as a result of reading it.
If you see a silver R500 in Southern California and it seems to be driven by an incongruous type, check the VIN and call me.
Vehicle VIN: (((ROR redacted)))
Colorado registration: 582MZR
Model: Mercedes Benz R500.
Ray
Broomfield, Colorado
U.S.A.
STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!
12 Updates & Rebuttals
Mediaperson
Orlando,Florida,
USA
Agent
#13Consumer Comment
Wed, October 05, 2011
I am an agent investigating a case of fraud. Please contact me via email at booklets@earthlink.net
Your information will remain confidential. Also, if anyone who is currently investigating this matter, please contact the above email address as well.
Ray
Broomfield,Colorado,
U.S.A.
Rebuttal from the Rascal himself
#13Author of original report
Wed, August 18, 2010
After two and a half years Burns writes a rebuttal in which he blames me and my skip tracer. What a nerve. Is business bad Joshua? Maybe the word's out!
Josh, you are the lowest scum I have ever met. Even now I'm getting emails from your victims, so I know you are still active. Knock it off and get an honest job.
Mr.R
United States of AmericaJohn Adams auto fraud
#13General Comment
Wed, August 18, 2010
To the person who wrote response #5 regarding John Adams: He did the same thing to me but I currently have an open court case against him. How to I contact you to give you the details?
Unamused
irvien,California,
United States of America
Ray I'm sorry that you Elisha Windfohr victimized you but none of these things have any thing to do with me you contracted her to repo your vehicle which voided our contract
#13REBUTTAL Individual responds
Mon, April 05, 2010
In response to these posts these are all complaints about a company that I was no part of I invite any and all of you to contact me Here if you have further complaints.
Report: Joshua David Burns
Reported By: (Broomfield Colorado)
Joshua David Burns Sub-Lease your Car? You'll never see it again! High-end car scam leaves you high and dry Irvine, Newport Beach, Orange County California
*REBUTTAL Individual responds... Vehicle Sublease Scam!!!
Joshua David Burns
60 Palatine #212Irvine, Newport Beach, Orange County California 92612
U.S.A.
Phone: 949-413-3984
Web Address:
Category: Auto Rentals
Submitted: Thursday, January 31, 2008
Last posting: Tuesday, March 30, 2010Most leasing companies will let your car be leased to a third party who has met credit approval with them. However, if anything goes wrong they may come back to you. But that's not the worst that can happen. Read on.
I had received no offers from the "legitimate" sites but I was approached by Joshua David Burns of Premier Auto of (?) Orange County, California via email. He purported to guarantee monthly payments to the lease company, Mercedes Benz Finance, through the remainder of the lease while finding a safe home for the auto with a third party customer. Insurance and registration would also be covered.
Mr. Burns and I exchanged contractual documents and I handed him the keys to my car at my home in December 2007. And then - silence.
After leaving several email and voicemail messages for Mr. Burns he called me on January 6th, 2008, assuring me that all was well and that he was making the payment for January that day (the due day for the January lease payment),
Mr. Burns never made the payment. My attempts to contact him since January 6th have been frustrated; he has not replied to my voice messages or my emails.
The vehicle is equipped with Tele Aid service that has the capability to trace the vehicle if stolen. The service said the Tele Aid has been disconnected.
Last week I retained a special kind of private investigator known as a "skip tracer" who knows Joshua Burns and says this is his third or fourth re-named company (that's why I didn't put Premier Auto Brokers in the heading). The investigator says he has duped HUNDREDS of people out of their cars, leaving them with a choice between bankruptcy and making continuing payments on a car they will never see again.
In 2005 the Colorado Highway Patrol and the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles jailed a person who had been running a similar scam. Charges: Unlawful subleasing of a vehicle - violation of California Penal Code no. 571; Embezzlement - violation of California Penal Code no. 504.
I complained to the CHP; they said it was a local matter. So I called several Orange County precincts; they said that since the "crime" started in Colorado, it was a Colorado matter.
So I registered a complaint in Colorado; they said Burns had broken no criminal laws in Colorado, and that since I signed a contract it was a civil "breach of contract" matter and I should find a lawyer. I checked Colorado law, and they were right. But California is different.
So I am stuck with what prededent has already established is a crime, but no police department with the slightest interest in prosecuting it.
It is apparently in this "gray area" of the law - is it civil, is it criminal - in which Burns and many like him are grubbing around ruining people's lives for their own profit.
So I called my insurance company to claim the loss; a clause in my policy lets them out of paying against this kind of "conversion", as they call it.
This is what you call being sh-- out of luck.
I did not go into this with eyes closed; I investigated Burns and Premier Auto with BBB, background checkers and so on. I found nothing. I am publicising my own stupidity in the hope that someone will be spared as a result of reading it.
If you see a silver R500 in Southern California and it seems to be driven by an incongruous type, check the VIN and call me.
Vehicle VIN: (((ROR redacted)))
Colorado registration: 582MZR
Model: Mercedes Benz R500.
Ray
Broomfield, Colorado
U.S.A.
STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!
Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Joshua David Burns
If you would like to see more Rip-off Reports on this company/individual, search here:
SEARCH TIPSupdate
Ray - Broomfield (U.S.A.)
Allied Rascals; Celebrity Auto See Report: #307858
Ray - Broomfield (U.S.A.)
Ahhh.... the joy of driving an "inexpensive" car that I bought new for cash....
Thomas - Anderson (U.S.A.)
No ulcers.
No pressure.
I live in a very quiet country locale. on a dead-end road that ends in a large lake. so careless drive-bys can learn to swim.
No hustlers, because no one pays much attention to me. Unless they cross me.
No need to panic if I should have a "financial reversal".
But I don't have "financial reversals". probably because it wouldn't matter anyway, or maybe I just didn't notice.
I drive an invisible car, as it were. A sleeper, but it is invisible.
I guess driving a super-expensive car isn't all the fun it supposedly is. I suspect the same applies to boats. Maybe the same applies even to expensive houses, but at least houses don't move.
I suppose at some point your "posessions" actually own you.
Thanx. I feel better already!
Couple Of Things
Cory - San Antonio (U.S.A.)
Vehicle Sublease Scam!!!
IwasScammed!!! - San Dimas (United States of America)
Ripoff Report: Autolease Premier Auto fraud
www.ripoffreport.com/.../joshua-david-burns/autolease-premier-auto-joshua-
Ripoff Report: Sub-Lease your Car? You'll never
www.ripoffreport.com/.../Joshua-David-Burns/joshua-david-burns-sub-lease-
IwasScammed!!!
San Dimas,California,
United States of America
Vehicle Sublease Scam!!!
#13REBUTTAL Individual responds
Wed, March 31, 2010
I just lost my $50,000 Audi A6 3.0 to some guy by the name of John Adams. He totally misled me into this fraudulent scam. He promised to purchase the vehicle and have the ownership transferred out of my name. As me being so trustworthy, which is my biggest flaw, I gave him the keys as he stated the paperwork will be done the next day. I figured no scam artist would be stupid enough to invite me in his own parent's living room who intends to mislead me into some illegal autotheft ring! I gave this guy the benefit of the doubt. From there on, his whole attitude changed. He was acting as if he was doing me a favor by getting the vehicle off my hands, which I wanted, but not in this particular way. John Adams out of Los Angeles, CA blows me off each day giving me excuse after excuse on delaying the paperwork. Either his feet hurt, his kids are sick (with all due respect), he's tired, he's not feeling well, and so on and so forth. I begin getting ticked off because not only does this guy have my vehicle, he didn't even give me a dime yet! As arrogant as he is, he was BSing me with lie after lie, which I could totally see through but went along with it just so he would think I would believe him. It turns out that I get a red traffic violation from the Inglewood police department and it clearly shows an African American teenager running a red light in my Audi! I call John up, as I usually do everyday nagging about getting the paperwork done, and he tells me that he found me a buyer and that now the business agreement is between me and this ghetto kid out of Inglewood!!! He sold my $50,000 vehicle to a teenager out of Manchester Drive, Inglewood, CA (straight out of the hood) for $5,000!!!! Can you believe that? The teenager is now ghetto fabulous and hood rich as he is taunting me about "flossing in my $50,000 vehicle". I meet up with this kid from Inglewood trying to test the waters to see if my car is still okay. John introduced us over the phone, while I was still putting a mask on trying to keep my cool since I didn't want to do anything irrational at that point. So I meet up with this kid from Inglewood who brings me a half a*s contract with fill in the blank portions to sign off on. I listen to his side and he stated John sold him the car for $5,000. I saw my vehicle was in good condition. Rather then knock the kid out into a coma at the scene or be a snitch and call the cops on the spot, I sign this half a*s contract fully aware of the 3 day contract reversal rule and also in order to keep the peace, according to what the cops suggested I do since it was a "civil issue". The next day, I call this dude from Inglewood up demanding my car and stating that I am excercising the 3 day contract reversal rule and that the contract wasn't even notarized by a third person. The kid goes into hiding for a whole week, then texts me he was out "hustling" in Vegas, in other words, selling drugs, while John Adams continues to BS me that he will get the car back. I felt that the kid from Inglewood should have nothing to do with me because that transaction was between them two! Why get me involved? I just wanted John Adams to get me my car back from the Inglewood kid since that was a deal between them two and I didn't want no involvement in their illicit activities. On the contrary, I am automatically involved because I want my car back, life or death. So be it. The kid states that the car is his so I stake out in Inglewood looking for my Audi. I'm hopping fences and looking from house to house on the lookout for my car. One day, I see the kid backing out of his driveway in my Audi, which is the last time I've seen my car. I chase after him on his own street and he speeds off in a flash, not to be scene again. I see all his little friends with their pants hanging off their a*s and I guess they notified him that I was there. They all left and I called the cops right on the spot. We end up getting the vehicle in the system as stolen for John Adam's intent to fraud. Now I am stuck without a vehicle I should have and I have fantasies of doing something wicked to John Adams but luckily for him, I am still sane. I hope the insurance covers it. Don't trust anyone on swapalease.com, craigslist, or leasetrader. And if anyone knows John Adams that lives in Longwood Ave, Los Angeles, tell him to go eat a d*ck and that I'm not hard to find if he wants to box it out. I'm so furious!!!!!!!!!!!! This could lead me to bankruptcy. The law is just irrational when it comes to the vehicle section. When a civil matter becomes criminal....... Someone help or give me advice... I refuse to go out like that....
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Couple Of Things
#13Consumer Comment
Wed, February 13, 2008
Find yourself a bigger junkyard dog to go after this scumbag and get your vehicle back. Start bending the ear of the local fbi office. I guarantee they can think up something this guy has violated in federal stats. There might be something in taking the vehicle across state lines maybe even mail or wire fraud. The local guys could care less. Too much paperwork. Had a guy come into my shop and TRY and buy $3000 worth with a counterfeit check. Called the local PD to report him. The local detective asked me if I was out any money. I told him NO, but I had the guy's real name and address. He had been hitting local merchants all over town. The detective wasn't interested cause I wasn't out any money. What a moron. Called a customer who's an fbi agent. He was down in less then 30 minutes. They busted the guy and his co-horts for over $300,000 in counterfeit check purchases. They're real hot on ID theft and counterfeiting documents. As a last note, you might want to check and see if any work has been done on the vehicle at a MB dealer based on the VIN number. Course the vehicle could be long gone or out of the country by now. Good luck.
Thomas
Anderson,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
Ahhh.... the joy of driving an "inexpensive" car that I bought new for cash....
#13Consumer Comment
Wed, February 13, 2008
as I continue to live well within my means.
No ulcers.
No pressure.
I live in a very quiet country locale. on a dead-end road that ends in a large lake. so careless drive-bys can learn to swim.
No hustlers, because no one pays much attention to me. Unless they cross me.
No need to panic if I should have a "financial reversal".
But I don't have "financial reversals". probably because it wouldn't matter anyway, or maybe I just didn't notice.
I drive an invisible car, as it were. A sleeper, but it is invisible.
I guess driving a super-expensive car isn't all the fun it supposedly is. I suspect the same applies to boats. Maybe the same applies even to expensive houses, but at least houses don't move.
I suppose at some point your "posessions" actually own you.
Thanx. I feel better already!
Ray
Broomfield,Colorado,
U.S.A.
Allied Rascals; Celebrity Auto See Report: #307858
#13Author of original report
Tue, February 12, 2008
These people all know each other, swap cars without the owners' consent or knowledge, and sometimes even SELL your leased car!
Ray
Broomfield,Colorado,
U.S.A.
update
#13Author of original report
Fri, February 01, 2008
And don't think this is unique to Southern California - the same rascal operates out of Las Vegas and who knows where else.
Ray
Broomfield,Colorado,
U.S.A.
update
#13Author of original report
Fri, February 01, 2008
And don't think this is unique to Southern California - the same rascal operates out of Las Vegas and who knows where else.
Ray
Broomfield,Colorado,
U.S.A.
update
#13Author of original report
Fri, February 01, 2008
And don't think this is unique to Southern California - the same rascal operates out of Las Vegas and who knows where else.
Ray
Broomfield,Colorado,
U.S.A.
update
#13Author of original report
Fri, February 01, 2008
And don't think this is unique to Southern California - the same rascal operates out of Las Vegas and who knows where else.