MONTEGO BAY, St James — A man who tried to buy a van he saw on a social media post related that he drove head first into a financial nightmare, claiming he forked out nearly $900,000 in response to a string of mounting payment demands for a vehicle originally advertised at just $250,000 — and still never got the keys.

The details were provided Wednesday when Janice Shaw and Demel Riley appeared before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton to answer allegations tied to the case. The duo faces charges of unlawfully making available a computer device for the commission of an offence and conspiracy to defraud. Riley is additionally charged with engaging in a transaction involving criminal property.

According to court documents, the matter began sometime in September 2025 when the complainant encountered a Facebook page advertising repossessed vehicles for sale. Among the listings was a 2013 black Subaru, priced at $250,000. Interested in the offer, he made contact with the seller and expressed his intent to purchase.