The owner of a vehicle garage in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, is under investigation by the Civil Police for allegedly defrauding at least 30 clients. The accusations involve unauthorized automobile financing and improper transfers executed at notary offices, leading many victims to seek legal recourse after discovering the garage abandoned. According to initial reports, the owner had cut off communication and deleted his social media accounts, making it difficult for authorities to locate him.

Victims reported that the suspect had established contracts with both individuals and businesses, allowing them to consign vehicles to the garage for sale. He was supposed to sell the vehicles and return the sales proceeds after deducting a commission. However, many clients learned that their vehicles were sold without their knowledge, and they did not receive any payments, sparking a wave of complaints.

The police are treating this case as an instance of estelionato, a form of fraud in Brazil, and they are actively investigating the claims made by the victims. The situation highlights significant concerns regarding consumer protection and the potential for systemic fraud in the automotive sales industry, raising questions about regulatory oversight and the need for greater transparency in transactions involving vehicle consignments.