A Florida couple has been charged in the investigation into a luxury car ownership fraud scheme
Michael Anthony Lucci, 32, and Emily Marie Lucci, 30, are charged with nine counts of making a false statement on an application for a bill of sale, nine counts of false vehicle title or registration, nine counts of perjury by false written declaration, nine counts of uttering forged instruments, one count of extortion and one count of organized fraud, according to jail records obtained by Fox News Digital.
The couple was arrested after the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) launched an investigation into their self-owned business, Luxury Auto Source in Davie on January 21, NBC 6 I mentioned.
According to reports obtained by the company, FHP initially began looking into the pair’s business after they allegedly submitted fraudulent parts invoices to the department for the purchase of a 2020 Nissan GT-R.
Emily Marie Lucci, 30, is charged with nine counts of making a false statement on a bill of sale application, nine counts of false vehicle title or registration, nine counts of perjury by false written declaration, nine counts of uttering forged instruments, one count of extortion and one count of organized fraud, according to jail records obtained by Fox News Digital. (Miami-Dade Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)
Emily Lucci reportedly submitted documents to the label’s agency Close to Miami-Dade He noted that the company was looking to obtain a certificate of title, while including a parts bill that claimed more than $18,000 in repairs to multiple major components of the vehicle.
However, authorities claim the bill was fake, with the real bill totaling about $1,200, the outlet reported. Additionally, the car has reportedly been listed for sale for $94,500, nearly $40,000 more than it sold in 2022 for $55,000.
Following the alleged fraudulent invoice, FHP investigators began searching for additional vehicles listed for sale by the couple’s company.
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Michael Anthony Lucci, 32, is charged with nine counts of making a false statement on a bill of sale application, nine counts of false vehicle title or registration, nine counts of perjury by false written declaration, nine counts of uttering forged instruments, one count of extortion and one count of organized fraud, according to jail records obtained by Fox News Digital. (Miami-Dade Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)
Authorities eventually found eight more luxury cars with fake Florida titles and invoices, according to the outlet.
The list of cars reportedly included a 2017 Bentley at a price of $63,900, a 2018 BMW M3 for sale at a price of $37,900, a 2022 Porsche 911 at a price of $187,900, a 2020 Toyota Supra at a price of $36,900, and a 2022 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat at a price of 52,900. Dollar, and Cadillac Escalade 2023.
The Dodge Charger allegedly had multiple VIN numbers and the engine was traced back to the vehicle Stolen from North CarolinaThe outlet reported.
The couple allegedly forged car titles from their car dealership, Luxury Auto Source, in Davie, Florida. (Istock)
“At the conclusion of my review, I identified nine vehicles currently for sale by Luxury Auto Source LLC that were identified as having submitted fraudulent or manipulated parts invoices to DHSMV,” an investigator reportedly wrote in arrest reports.
“These vehicles constitute contraband, as title was obtained through fraudulent means. These vehicles, and potentially additional vehicles sold through this dealership, present a significant risk to innocent buyers, who may inadvertently purchase vehicles subject to seizure and forfeiture, resulting in the loss of the vehicle and associated funds due to its contraband status.”
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Michael Lucci was reportedly taken into custody FHP officers A search warrant was executed at the business, and Emily Lucci later turned herself in to authorities.
The couple was released after being given $30,000 bonds, according to jail records obtained by Fox News Digital.
Fox News Digital was unable to immediately find an attorney representing both Emily and Michael Lucci. FHP did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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