Swansea used car business owner accused of defrauding customers
by: Jusolyn Flower
SWANSEA, Mass. (WPRI) — An Attleboro man is currently wanted by Swansea police for allegedly selling multiple cars he didn’t own at his used car business.
Since May, police said they have received around 25 reports from people claiming they were defrauded by Bristol County Auto Exchange in Swansea.
Edward Cicciu allegedly received cars on loan from a local auction but did not obtain the titles. Police said the 46-year-old put the cars up for sale at his business, Bristol County Auto Exchange, on Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
Once sales were completed, Cicciu took the victims’ payments and attached fake or forged license plates to the vehicles, promising to mail the titles and registrations.
Police said the purchasers never received titles and were unable to register the vehicles. Cicciu reportedly stopped responding and failed to pay the auction in full for the vehicles.
The auction company still owns the vehicles and is now in the process of repossessing them from the victims.
Swansea police have obtained multiple arrest warrants for Cicciu on fraud-related charges.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who believes they were targeted in this scheme is urged to contact Swansea Police Officer Donald Dibiasio at (508) 674-8464.