Fake Justin Bieber rep pulls off $200,000 Coachella EV rental heist

Owner of rental company recounts how a fraudster posing as Bieber's team booked and disappeared with four luxury electric vehicles.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a luxury electric vehicle key fob, its metallic surface reflecting a harsh, direct flash of light against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the theft of high-end rental cars.A rental company's luxury electric vehicles were stolen by a fraudster posing as a representative for pop star Justin Bieber.Coachella Today

A rental company owner in Oklahoma recounted how a fraudster posing as a representative for pop star Justin Bieber booked four luxury electric vehicles for a last-minute trip to the Coachella music festival, only to disappear with the $200,000 worth of cars.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing problem of scams and fraud targeting businesses, especially in the high-profile world of celebrity events and luxury rentals. It also raises concerns about the need for stronger verification protocols to prevent such brazen thefts.

The details

According to the owner, Chad Marta, his rental company received a call the night before the Coachella festival requesting four cars for the 'headliner' - a common request they had fulfilled many times before. However, when the vehicles were delivered, the individuals who showed up did not match the description provided, and they ultimately drove off with the $200,000 worth of electric cars.

  • The incident occurred the night before the 2026 Coachella music festival.

The players

Chad Marta

The owner of the rental company that was targeted in the fraud scheme.

Justin Bieber

A popular Canadian pop star whose name was used by the fraudster to book the rental vehicles.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The night before, we get a call for a last-minute request - four cars to go to Coachella for the headliner. Which is not an out-of-the-ordinary request at all. We've done it a lot of times.”

— Chad Marta, Owner

What’s next

The rental company and local authorities are investigating the incident and working to recover the stolen vehicles.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for businesses to have robust verification protocols in place, especially when dealing with high-value rentals or celebrity-related requests, in order to prevent such brazen fraud schemes.