Aspiring Hitman Trapped by Parody Website | Job Search Turns Deadly

Imagine finding yourself so desperate for money that you’re willing to do anything — even kill for cash. But what if the “perfect” job you found turned out to be a trap? That’s exactly what happened to one man who applied to become a hitman on what he thought was a legitimate murder-for-hire website. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t.

In a bizarre twist of fate, 23-year-old Josiah Ernesto Garcia from Toledo, Ohio, went looking for contract mercenary work to solve his financial woes. What he found instead was a joke website that ultimately landed him in handcuffs and facing a decade behind bars.

Garcia, like many in tough financial situations, was searching for fast cash. But instead of picking up an extra job or gig, he stumbled upon RentAHitman.com. At first glance, this website seemed to offer the opportunity he was seeking. It claimed to provide murder-for-hire services, with a handy form for potential “clients” to request their hits and another for aspiring hitmen to apply.

What Garcia didn’t know was that RentAHitman.com was a parody — a leftover from a failed cybersecurity start-up that had morphed into a satirical site. Despite its tongue-in-cheek fake testimonials and ridiculous claims, the website had strangely been receiving real inquiries about contract killings for over a decade.

Intrigued, Garcia submitted his application, proudly boasting of his military background and marksmanship skills. According to his resume, he had been serving in the Air National Guard since 2021, showcasing himself as the perfect candidate for the role of a hired gun.

But things were far from what they seemed. After submitting his credentials, Garcia quickly moved forward with his new “job.” He met with a supposed client who was ready to offer him $2,500 as a downpayment for a hit job. The client handed over a package full of information about the target, including photos and personal details.

What Garcia failed to realize was that his client was actually an undercover FBI agent. The entire operation was a setup from the beginning, and the “target” was completely fictional.

Things took an even darker turn when Garcia, after negotiating the terms of the deal, asked one chilling question: Would he need to provide photographic proof of the murder?

At that point, the FBI moved in, arresting him on the spot. A subsequent search of Garcia’s home revealed a rifle, adding further weight to the charges against him.

Now, Garcia is facing up to 10 years in federal prison for his misguided attempt to become a hired killer through what was nothing more than an elaborate online prank.

This case serves as a sobering reminder of how the internet can blur the lines between reality and fiction — and how desperation can lead people down the darkest of paths.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Josiah Ernesto Garcia’s story is a striking example of how desperation and the dark corners of the internet can lead to life-altering consequences. His attempt to escape financial hardship by applying to a satirical murder-for-hire website spiraled into a situation that now threatens to cost him a decade of his life in federal prison. This case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing the virtual world with real-world criminal intent — and a stark reminder that not everything on the internet is what it seems.