Male Arrested For Ripping Off Multiple Car Buyers In Scam
United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero File Photo by Alex Lloyd Gross
by Alex Lloyd Gross
US Attorney Jaqueline Romero said that Edward Scott Rock, of Philadelphia has been charged by indictment after he allegedly sold the same vehicle multiple times. Over 120 people got scammed . According to authorities, Rock would purchase vehicles at auctions and then offer them for sale.
The vehicles were listed for sale over the internet. Authorities alleged that Rock would take peoples money but never deliver the car. In fact, he is alleged to have sold the same vehicle to multiple people. Often the vehicles were equipped with wheelchair ramps and other special features for disabled people.
In one instance, Rock agreed to sell a particular vehicle – a wheelchair-accessible 2017 Ford T150 van – to 13 different buyers over an 11-month period between February 2022 and January 2023. Despite accepting 13 payments from 13 different buyers and collecting over $260,000 all for the same vehicle, Rock only delivered the vehicle to one buyer (albeit without proper title). Rock failed to deliver the vehicle to the other 12 victims, who had all also purchased and paid for the vehicle.
In all, authorities alleged he pocked $2.5 million dollars from 2019 through 2023.. He is charged with multiple counts of mail and wire fraud. f convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 170 years’ imprisonment, a 5-year period of supervised release, a $2,750,000 fine, and restitution and forfeiture.