American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 13 Episode 9 The Fast and the Fraudulent

In season 13 episode 9 of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals, titled "The Fast and the Fraudulent," we dive into the world of high-end luxury cars and the scammers who use them to trick unsuspecting buyers out of millions of dollars.

The episode first introduces us to a man named Steve Richard, who owned a dealership in Southern California. Richard was known for selling luxury cars, but behind closed doors, he was running a fraudulent business. He would purchase high-end cars from legitimate dealerships and then create fake documents to make it seem like they were fully paid off. He would then resell these cars to his own customers at a markup, making it seem like they were getting a great deal on a car that was worth much more than they were paying.

One of Richard's victims was a man named Ed Basile, who was looking to buy a Lamborghini. Basile found Richard's dealership and was impressed with the selection of cars available. Richard showed him a Lamborghini that was valued at $250,000, but he offered to sell it to Basile for only $150,000. Basile thought he was getting a great deal and agreed to purchase the car.

However, a few months later, Basile received a phone call from the leasing company, saying that the car he had purchased was still under lease. Basile was confused and immediately contacted Richard to find out what was going on. Richard reassured him that everything was fine and that he would take care of it. However, the problem persisted and Basile eventually found out that Richard had sold him a car that was still under lease.

Another victim of Richard's scam was a woman named Martha Blandford. She had purchased a Porsche from Richard and had even received a title for the car. However, a few months later, she received a call from the leasing company, telling her that the car had been reported stolen and was still under lease. Blandford was shocked and immediately contacted Richard, but he refused to take responsibility for the situation.

Richard continued his scam for years, making millions of dollars in the process. However, his scam eventually came to light when Basile and Blandford, along with other victims, filed complaints with the authorities. Richard was arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud. In 2015, he was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison.

"The Fast and the Fraudulent" is a cautionary tale of how scammers can use the allure of luxury cars to prey on unsuspecting buyers. It also serves as a reminder to always do your due diligence before making a big purchase, especially when dealing with high-end luxury items. With riveting interviews and expert analysis, this episode of American Greed is sure to leave viewers on the edge of their seats.