Swansea Used Car Dealer Charged With Fraud

SWANSEA (WBSM) — Police have charged the owner of a used car business in Swansea with fraud as part of an ongoing investigation into a scheme in which he allegedly sold vehicles to customers that he did not own.

According to Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley, the department has obtained multiple arrest warrants for Edward Cicciu, 46, of Attleboro on fraud-related charges. He said Cicciu is currently wanted by police.

Foley said that since May of this year, the department has had about 25 people report they were defrauded by Bristol County Auto Exchange, located at 2388 Grand Army of the Republic Highway in Swansea.

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According to Foley, the investigation determined that Cicciu receives cars on loan from a local auction but doesn’t receive the titles for the vehicles until he pays the auction in full; however, he was still allegedly placing the vehicles up for sale on his lot.

He would then allegedly complete the sale to a customer, take payment, attach fake or forged license plates and would tell the purchaser that the title and registration would be mailed to them.

However, Foley said at that point, Cicciu would allegedly stop responding to the victims and never paid the auction for the vehicle. The purchaser never received a title and cannot register their vehicle.

In addition, Foley said that because the auction company still owned the vehicles, they are in the process of repossessing them from those who purchased vehicles from Cicciu.

“The Swansea Police Department takes any allegations of fraud very seriously,” Foley said. “This has been an extensive investigation that underscores our commitment to protecting consumers from dishonest practices. We urge anyone who believes they may have been affected to come forward.”

If you believe you have been a victim of this scheme, contact Officer Donald Dibiasio of the Swansea Police at (508) 674-8464.