Fake Bieber Rep Executes $200K Coachella E.V. Rental Scam in Bold Heist

A Newport Beach rental company found itself at the center of a scam involving a supposed connection to pop sensation Justin Bieber, leaving them without four electric Mokes.

The scam unfolded when an individual, claiming to be part of Bieber’s team, made a last-minute plea for the vehicles, stating they were essential for transporting the artist between a private villa and the Coachella festival grounds. While there’s no evidence suggesting that Bieber or his entourage were involved, the name-drop added an air of authenticity to the request.

Chad Marta, owner of Newport Beach Moke, recounted the unexpected situation: “The night before, we received a call for a last-minute order—four cars for Coachella’s headliner. This type of request isn’t unusual for us. We’ve accommodated such demands many times before.”

Marta further expressed his disbelief over the incident, stating, “I didn’t want to disappoint the Biebers. I never imagined something like this would occur.”

“I didn’t want to leave the Biebers high and dry. I never thought this would happen,” Marta continued.

But there were warning signs, including a $20,000 deposit that never went through.

“I didn’t think anything of it because he was scatter-brained and that’s normal. He said his wire got out a little late, we should have it in the morning,” he said.

The cars were delivered to Palm Desert but, within hours, something seemed off. “(GPS signals showed) that we have a moving vehicle going down the 10 Freeway west. I realized, they’re not going 30 miles an hour, they’re on a flatbed,” Marta said.

When Marta called the renter, the man claiming to be with Bieber’s team insisted everything was fine. “He’s like, ‘What are you talking about?’ I go, ‘What am I talking about? It’s my cars going down the 10 Freeway, what are you talking about?” Marta said.

Marta said he immediately called CHP, hoping to stop the vehicles before they reached the border. He said, “I was tracking them down the 215 to the 15, Escondido. I go, ‘They’re heading towards the border, stop these cars, stop the train.’”

But it was too late. “I watched those cars go across the border into Tijuana,” Marta said.

Shortly after, the GPS signals went dark and the cars were nowhere to be found. “They probably were taken out and just tossed,” he said.

The loss amounted to more than $200,000 — hitting a major portion of his business. “It takes away a third of the business,” Marta said. “It’s a big hit.”

While the scammers may owe him a “sorry,” Marta said what he really wants is his cars back. “Maybe they’re coming back for weekend two. I can only pray and hope.”

Never say never.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said they’re investigating the case, but the owner told KTLA he’s hopeful someone seeing this story might have information that leads to an arrest.