MIAMI-DADE, Fla. — Authorities announced the arrest of 21 individuals in connection with a multimillion-dollar auto fraud scheme in Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said the arrests were part of an effort to “root out fraud and corruption wherever it hides.” The operation targeted so-called straw buyers who illegally purchased vehicles at multiple dealerships.
Investigators explained that a single straw buyer could acquire as many as 20 vehicles in a week before the purchases appeared on credit reports. The suspects allegedly used fake documents, including W-2 forms, pay stubs, utility bills, and false addresses, to make the purchases.
Once obtained, the vehicles were reportedly stripped of liens, given fake VINs, and either illegally subleased or exported. Sheriff Cordero-Stutz noted, “Too often those illegally subleased cars are used in shootings, robberies, and other violent crimes.”
Authorities said the scheme involved at least 100 vehicles valued at $5.5 million, with 53 of the cars recovered so far. The sheriff warned that such crimes increase costs for families, small businesses, and consumers through higher prices and insurance premiums.
Some of the targeted dealerships were large, family-owned businesses. Investigators are working with dealerships and financial institutions to prevent future fraud, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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