6 indicted in Internet-based car-selling scheme
LOS ANGELES—A federal grand jury in Los Angeles has indicted six foreign nationals on charges that they defrauded hundreds of customers out of more than $4 million in bogus Internet car sales.
Federal prosecutors say the indictment returned Wednesday alleges a scheme in which vehicles were offered for sale on legitimate websites that deal in auto trading.
Money was collected and supposedly put into escrow accounts. The money was then siphoned from the accounts with millions of dollars being sent to Europe.
Prosecutors say not one vehicle was delivered during the 3½ years the scheme operated.
The charges include conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and money laundering.
If convicted, the defendants could each face sentences totaling hundreds of years in federal prison.
