A South Florida husband and wife who own a luxury car dealership are facing dozens of criminal charges following an investigation into an alleged vehicle title fraud scheme involving high-end cars valued at more than USD 500,000.
Michael Anthony Lucci, 32, and Emily Marie Lucci, 30, owners of Luxury Auto Source in Davie, Florida, were arrested after the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) determined that multiple vehicles sold through their dealership were titled using fraudulent or altered repair invoices.
According to jail records and arrest reports, the couple is charged with 38 offences, including racketeering, organised fraud, perjury, uttering forged instruments, and possession of counterfeit vehicle titles or registrations.
The investigation began in January after authorities reviewed documentation submitted for a 2020 Nissan GT-R. Records show Emily Lucci filed paperwork at a Miami-Dade tag agency seeking a rebuilt title, supported by an invoice claiming more than USD 18,000 in repairs.
Investigators later determined the legitimate repair costs totalled nearly USD 1,200. The vehicle was subsequently listed for sale for USD 94,500, nearly USD 40,000 more than its prior sale price in 2022.
Following that discovery, FHP expanded its investigation to other vehicles listed by the dealership. Authorities identified eight additional luxury vehicles with rebuilt Florida titles that were allegedly obtained using falsified or manipulated invoices.
Those vehicles included a 2022 Porsche 911 priced at USD 187,900, a 2017 Bentley listed for USD 63,900, a 2018 BMW M3, a 2020 Toyota Supra, a 2022 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, and a 2023 Cadillac Escalade.
Investigators said the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat raised additional concerns, as it reportedly contained multiple VINs and an engine traced to a vehicle stolen out of North Carolina.
In arrest documents, an investigator stated that all nine vehicles were considered contraband because their titles were acquired through fraudulent means.
Authorities warned that any buyers could face seizure and forfeiture of the vehicles, potentially losing both the cars and the money paid for them.
Michael Lucci was taken into custody during the execution of a search warrant at the dealership, while Emily Lucci later surrendered to authorities. Both were released after posting USD 30,000 bond. As of now, no attorney information has been publicly listed for either defendant, and FHP has not issued further comment.
