[RahulNagaraj]

Edward Scott Rock, a used car dealer in Philadelphia, has been indicted by Federal prosecutors, on charges of mail & wire fraud involving a non-delivery sales scheme. According to reports, the accused conducted sale transactions across 36 states in the USA, involving 120 individuals but frequently failed to deliver the promised vehicles.

Reports also suggest that most of his alleged victims were those in need of speciality accessibility vehicles. The US Department of Justice states that Edward ran the scheme from his Philadelphia dealership between 2019 and 2023. He reportedly purchased vehicles at auction and listed them for resale online. However, after sealing the deal and receiving payment from the new buyer, Edward failed to deliver the said vehicles. Federal prosecutors even claimed that he sold the same 2017 Ford van to 13 different customers. Also, in the rare instances he did deliver the vehicle, there would be an issue with the title.



In one case, David Sodermann, Co-Founder of Boho Camper Vans, bought two vans from Edward and wired him $25,000 as payment. Months later, when the vans didn't show up, and the buyer asked for his money back, the accused always had some sort of excuse. Sodermann stated, "It was a big mess for a long time. He always had some excuse. He would take pictures of him sending the money back by FedEx, but it never got dropped in the mail. It was all just a big show."

While Sodermann did receive his money back, it took two years & legal intervention for the same. Buyers without resources like Sodermann, reportedly faced greater difficulties in getting back their money.

The Justice Department has indicted Edward, who now faces 170 years in prison, five years of supervised release, a $2.75 million fine & restitution and forfeiture.

Source: CarScoops

Link to Team-BHP news