Stolen Car Resale Scam Investigated

Los Angeles police are looking for additional suspects and victims in a countywide stolen-vehicle scam that targets Hispanics through Spanish-speaking newspaper advertisements.

Authorities announced Tuesday that they have recovered about 30 stolen vehicles since March and arrested six suspects, all of whom face charges of auto theft and fraud.

According to police, the suspects placed ads in La Opinion or El Clasificado for 1999 Toyota Corollas or Toyota Tacoma trucks -- often within hours of stealing the vehicles -- at roughly half the normal selling price of the vehicles.

To gain the buyer’s trust, the suspects would present false registration, title of sale and a California driver’s license.

Victims would discover the scam when they attempted to register the vehicles at the state Department of Motor Vehicles -- where the car would be seized, leaving the victim out a car and the money they paid for it.

Although potential buyers may be fooled by the authentic-looking paperwork, authorities warn “buyer, beware” when a deal looks too good to be true.

“Nobody sells a $9,000 car for $4,800,” said LAPD Capt. Jerry Szmanski, head of the Burglary/Auto Theft Division.

Authorities said people who are considering purchasing a vehicle from a classified ad should process the sale through the DMV or contact police to run the vehicle’s identification number.

Police said one suspect has been convicted and is serving two years in state prison. Two others who were convicted are out on probation. The remaining suspects are awaiting trial.

Consumers who suspect they are victims of this scam should contact the LAPD Burglary/Auto Theft Division at (213) 485-2507.