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.

The allegations are that the complainant was subsequently directed to deposit funds into an account provided under Shaw’s name. Acting on those instructions, the complainant deposited a total of $250,000 into the account, the court was told.

The situation escalated on September 30 when the complainant reportedly received a call from a man who identified himself as an auctioneer manager and demanded an additional $400,000 for the vehicle’s release. The complainant complied, transferring the requested amount based on banking information provided under Riley’s name, according to court records.

The allegations are that the pattern of payments continued. The complainant was later told a further clearance fee of $110,000 was required before the vehicle could be released. That sum was deposited into an account belonging to another man, who is not before the court.

Court records indicated that by October 3, additional demands were made. A further $66,000 was transferred into the account under Shaw’s name, followed by a final request for $50,000 on the same day, allegedly tied to the vehicle’s scheduled delivery. When the vehicle was not delivered, the matter was reported to the Area One Fraud Squad. Investigators subsequently launched a probe that led to the arrest of Shaw and Riley.

During Wednesday’s hearing, the court was informed that bank statements and a statement from the complainant’s fiancée were still outstanding. Judge Fairclough-Hylton set the matter for mention on June 24 and extended bail for both accused.