A DRIVER has purchased a $10,000 car he can’t drive thanks to a dealer’s frustrating license plate scheme, police said.
Ethan Bergantim bought a 2011 BMW in June but still hasn’t been able to legally take it to the streets.
“I feel like I’m living in a movie,” a distraught Bergantim said in an emotional interview with CBS affiliate WPRI.
Bergantim purchased his car this summer from Bristol County Auto Exchange in Swansea, Massachusetts, about an hour south of Boston.
The seller, Edward Cicciu, didn’t give the driver the car title and said he would mail it to him in the future.
However, Cicciu never sent the documents, so Bergantim kept badgering him for answers.
While he fought to get his title, he also realized the temporary license handed out by the dealer was fake, meaning he couldn’t drive his new car.
Once Cicciu stopped answering Bergantim’s calls, the driver knew he was in trouble.
“I started realizing this was not going to be pretty,” he said.
Bergantim is one of at least 25 customers who were scammed into buying cars without official titles by Cicciu, police said.
Detectives believe the dealer loaned cars from local auctions but didn’t take the necessary steps to get a loan before reselling them.
This means all the vehicles are still owned by the auctions, which are now repossessing them.
Cicciu was arrested on Wednesday, nearly a week after police charged him with fraud and filed multiple arrest warrants.
He’s been charged with nine counts of larceny, eight counts of forcing RMV documents, 13 counts of failure to deliver title upon motor vehicle transfer, and four counts of larceny of a motor vehicle.
Cops have asked anyone else who believes they are a victim of Cicciu’s scheme to come forward.
“The Swansea Police Department takes any allegations of fraud very seriously,” Police Chief Mark Foley said in a statement.
“This has been an extensive investigation that underscores our commitment to protecting consumers from dishonest practices.”
Dealership Tips
Here are some expert tips when purchasing a car from a dealership lot:
- 1. Set your price: Ensure you’ve calculated your monthly budget before going to the lot. You should include the car’s loan payment, insurance costs, fuel, and regular maintenance.
- 2. Research: Make sure you know which cars you’re interested in test driving before you reach the dealership.
- 3. Pre-approval: Secure financing before you go to the dealership. Dealerships may give you a better interest rate if they are competing with an outside bank.
- 4. Test away: Get behind the wheel before making any payments. A car purchase will be worth thousands of dollars – drivers should ensure they like the drivetrain, steering feel, and comfort of the car before taking it off the lot
- 5. Haggle: Drivers should always try to negotiate the price. There are so many good cars on the American market – buyers have a strong hand when negotiating price.
Source: Kelley Blue Book
AVOID DEALERSHIP SCAMS
To avoid dealership scams, drivers should always make sure they can take cars for a test drive before purchasing.
Ensure a mechanic has inspected the car and given it the thumbs up before signing any paperwork.
Shoppers can also send the VIN or vehicle identification number to police to determine the car’s true owner.
And most importantly, drivers should feel empowered to walk away if anything about the sale feels shady.
Some financial experts believe car dealerships should never be used to buy vehicles.
