Buying a new car can be a lengthy process due to the background information needed and the internal controls put in place to ensure the car can be sold and registered.
Unfortunately, for a car salesman in Prattville, Alabama, an individual used a false identity to purchase the vehicle. Identity theft to make large purchases is a common method of theft all businesses should ensure to enact proper protocols against.
On October 21, 2024, a federal judge sentenced Mr. Anthony Vila of Palm Bay, Florida to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release following his prison term. According to court documents, in early August of 2022, Mr. Vila contacted the salesman in Prattville, Alabama through electronic communications inquiring about the purchase of a vehicle. After being denied financing, Mr. Vila sent the information of someone he claimed to be his aunt to be used as a co-signor on the loan. The information included a copy of the co-signor’s driver’s license, pay stub, date of birth, and Social Security Number. Mr. Vila also allegedly had an unknown female claiming to be his aunt speak to the dealership over the phone and the $45,000 loan was approved. The individual claiming to be Mr. Vila’s aunt had no knowledge of the purchase and had not given permission for her personal information to be used.
Fortunately, this led to Mr. Vila’s capture a few days after taking possession of the vehicle. Investigators found a laptop, printer, holograms, cell phone, firearm, and other items. The phone contained more than 100 stolen identities. Mr. Vila pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on June 7, 2024. Proper confirmation and background checks with confirmation of the identity of the cosigner eventually led to the uncovering of the scheme and a swift end to the theft.
Florida man sentenced to federal prison for aggravated identity theft. (2024, October 23). https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdal/pr/florida-man-sentenced-federal-prison-aggravated-identity-theft-and-wire-fraud
Photo by I’m Zion
