Originally Posted by
robertorolfo
Wow, you are pretty good at this devil's advocate stuff (and I can appreciate that). What you wrote is possible, but that scam couldn't really work more than once or twice (I know, it only takes once with an expensive bike, and incompetent cops/moving around could make it work multiple times). So there are some loopholes, but they don't seem too bad.
What I want to know is what the OP ended up doing???
Like you say...it doesn't have to work more than once.
All of it is low probability anyway. The vast majority of used bike sales are 100% legitimate.
And you as the buyer and seller can seriously reduce the little risk that remains with a few easy to do things if you go through with a transaction. And then just trusting your instincts and not being afraid to walk away if it doesn't smell right prevents any chance of being caught up in something.
As for the cops, I'd guess 90% of the time they know who's lying and who isn't within 60 seconds of showing up on the scene. But the cop knowing which of you is the thief and which is the victim is not the same as having evidence to prove that. So just because the cop can't do anything doesn't mean he's incompetent. But legally, his opinion hold no weight. He has to have evidence to transfer possession of property from one party to another or to arrest someone.
Think about getting pulled over for speeding. The cop knows you were speeding. You know you were speeding. But you still say "What?" This was a 55mph zone? I had no idea...nor did I know my car could do 106". So he can't make you pay the fine on the scene no matter how much you both know you are guilty. He has to prove it in court with evidence (radar reading, his witness statement, etc)