Robert Sofiano MT Truck Expert

Jimmy –

Victim Location 48198

Total money lost $12,000

Type of a scam Online Purchase

Robert Sofiano had a 2005 Bobcat S250 Skid Steer listed for sale on Craig’s List for 12,000. I was looking to buy it so I contacted him via email and phone. We came to an agreement and he had a 5 page contract that he, myself and his Financial Representative Peter Benson all signed. The agreement was for me to Bank Wire the money to an escrow account (named JP Morgan thru CitiBank) and then for him to send the machine. Money was supposed to be sitting in the escrow account until I received and inspected the machine. Only at that point, and only with my permission the money was to be released to Robert Sofiano. I did send the 12,000 thru bank Wire and then tried contacting him about delivery details. All of a sudden there was no way to get a hold of Robert Sofiano, he would not answer any phone calls or emails. Then I became suspicious and did some research on his name…. I just now found out there were other people he scammed as well. Looks like they are in business of scamming people big time. I am currently trying to reverse the wire transfer and hope for the best. Also trying to warn others so they don’t get scammed as well. I would like to add a copy of the contract here below and removed my personal information

Escrow Money Agreement

I. Overview

This Escrow Money Agreement is made effective as of January 11, 2018 by and

between MT Truck Experts (as the seller), 350 Lake Rd., Bozeman, MT, 59718,

United States, and R G (as the buyer), ,

MI, 48198, United States and states the agreement of the parties as follows.

II. Recitals

Whereas, the seller in the process of selling the 2005 Bobcat S250, 3263 hours,

Serial: 26018304.

Whereas the seller and buyer have executed an agreement on January 11 in

regards to the aforementioned vehicle.

Whereas, the total sales price of the vehicle is: $12,000 inclusive of all sales taxes.

Therefore, in consideration of the premises and mutual convenants erein, the

parties here to agree as follow:

III. Terms

A. The parties shall deposit a signed copy of this agreement and Buyer will

immediately deposit the sum of $12,000 in the form of bank wire transfer

with JP Morgan Corporate Escrow, 270 Park Ave ., New York, NY, 10017.

The money shall only be deposited after the Buyer and Seller have signed

this agreement.

B. In the event that the transaction is agreed upon and the purchase is

consummated, JP Morgan Corporate Escrow will wire the funds to the

sellers account.

C. Failure to close. If buyer does not secure financing or the vehicle does not

pass a qualified inspection, or if the agreement is terminated for any reason

other than breach by Buyer, the deposited money will be returned, without

any charges of any kind.

If the vehicle is not as described in the ad ( mileage is not correct, hours are

not the same, engine faults that weren’t mentioned, leaks, rebuilt titles )

the seller is obliged to ship the unit back on his own cost and Buyer will be

fully refunded. If everything checks out and ownership is changed, the

funds will be released to the sellers account within 48 Hours.

D. All understandings and agreements previously existing between the parties,

if any, are merged into this agreement, which alone fully and completely

expresses their agreement. Neither party will rely upon statement

representation made by the other not embodied herein. This agreement

may be modified only by a written amendment by all parties.

E. Signatories. This agreement shall be signed by R G and on

behalf of MT Truck Experts by Robert Sofiano, Vice President, and shall be

effective as of the date first above written.

III. General Provisions

A. Transactions performed by a Buyer and Seller on the JP Morgan Corporate

Escrow site, shall be governed by the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act

(Civil Code Section 1633 et. Seq.) governing JP Morgan Regulations.

B. A person or entity offering vehicles for sale, and desiring to use the JP

Morgan Corporate Escrow Services in order to close such a sale, shall

hereinafter be referred to as "Seller".

C. A person or entity desiring to purchase vehicles from a Seller, by use of the

JP Morgan Corporate Escrow for completing the purchase shall be referred

to as "Buyer".

D. The use of the JP Morgan Corporate Payments (by the Buyer and Seller) for

purposes of effectuating a single protected transfer of ownership of title

shall be referred to as a "Transaction".

IV. Instructions and Deposit of Funds into JPMorgan Corporate Escrow

A. Once the Buyer and Seller have agreed to these General JP Morgan

Corporate Escrow Instructions, these instructions shall constitute a

binding contract between all parties. JP Morgan Corporate Payments

covers buyers who complete a transaction for the following types of

deliberate and material misrepresentation by the seller:

B. Paying for a vehicle and never receiving it.

C. Paying for and receiving a vehicle:

1. That was a stolen vehicle at the time of the transaction

2. With an undisclosed or unknown lien against its title

3. A make and/or model that is different than what was described in

the sellers listing

4. Whose title is subject to an undisclosed salvage, rebuilt,

reconstructed, destroyed, junk, lemon, or water damage title brand

5. That has different specifications than the ones at the moment of

agreement

6. Whose odometer reading is different than the odometer reading

described by the seller

7. That is different than it was described by the seller

D. The Seller will have to start the shipping process and provide the Buyer

with relevant information within 48 hours since payment confirmation.

Upon receipt of the vehicle the Buyer will have 7 days at his disposal to

perform all necessary tests.

V. Shipping and Tracking of Item

A. Upon receipt of Buyer’s funds, and clearance of same, JP Morgan

Corporate Escrow will notify Seller to ship the vehicle. Seller agrees to

ship the vehicle, insured for full value to Buyer. Buyer and Seller agree to

choose a shipping method that utilizes online tracking information.

B. The Buyer Inspection Period (5 days) shall commence upon the first to

occur of either: (1) Buyer’s acknowledgment of receipt of vehicle; or (2)

the JP Morgan Corporate Escrow receipt of verification of delivery to the

Buyer’s profile information via the shipper’s or registrar’s tracking

services. The Buyer Inspection Period shall be calculated in full calendar

days, 7 days as stipulated in Instructions and Deposit of Funds.

VI. Buyer’s Acceptance, Disbursement of Funds

During the Buyer Inspection Period, Buyer shall either: (1) Accept the vehicle, and

follow all further instructions accordingly to complete acceptance of the vehicle.

JP Morgan Corporate Escrow will pay the Seller the purchase price; or (2) Reject

the vehicle and follow any further instructions to complete the rejection of the

vehicle.

VII. Buyer Rejection Process

During the Buyer Inspection Period, Buyer may reject the vehicle for any reason

but according to all terms and conditions. Upon such rejection, JP Morgan

Corporate Payments will send Seller an email stating Buyer’s decision to reject

and return the vehicle. JP Morgan Corporate will refund the entire amount to the

Buyer after receiving the affidavit sent to him signed and notarized.

VIII. Payment Process

All deposits for goods in JP Morgan Corporate (provided by JP Morgan Corporate

Escrow) should be submitted according to the invoice payment details. Failure to

do so will result in the JP Morgan transaction being voided.

[Signature Page Follows]

BUYER:

R G

SELLER:

MT Truck Experts

Robert Sofiano – Vice President

JP Morgan – Citi Bank Servilacon Corp

Financial Representative for Escrow Transactions

Peter Benson