Attleboro man arrested following Swansea Police investigation into used car fraud scheme

SWANSEA — Chief Mark Foley reports that the owner of a Swansea used car business has been arrested and is facing multiple charges following a Swansea Police investigation into alleged fraud involving dozens of potential victims.

Last week, Swansea Police announced that the department had obtained multiple arrest warrants for 46-year-old Edward Cicciu of Attleboro on fraud-related charges.

Since May, about 25 people had reported to Swansea Police that they were defrauded by Bristol County Auto Exchange, located at 2388 Grand Army of the Republic Highway. After the police department’s announcement last week about their investigation, at least 10 additional alleged victims have come forward.

Through an extensive investigation, Swansea Police determined that Cicciu would receive cars on loan from a local auction but would not receive the titles for the vehicles until he paid the auction company in full. The vehicles were then put up for sale at Bristol County Auto Exchange. Cicciu would allegedly complete a sale, take the payment, attach fake or forged license plates, and promise that a title and registration would be mailed to the purchaser.

Cicciu would then allegedly stop responding to the victims and never pay the auction company for the vehicle. The purchasers never received the titles and therefore could not register the vehicles. The auction company still owns the victims’ vehicles and is in the process of repossessing them.

Cicciu was arrested on multiple Swansea Police warrants by Boston Police around 9 p.m. last night. He is charged with Larceny Over $1,200 by False Pretenses (9 Counts), Forge/Misuse of RMV Document (8 Counts), Title, Failure to Deliver Upon Motor Vehicle Transfer (13 Counts), Larceny of a Motor Vehicle (4 Counts), and Larceny by Check Over $1,200 (1 Count).

It is expected that additional charges will be filed in the coming days.

Cicciu is expected to be arraigned on Thursday, Oct. 3, at Fall River District Court.

“I want to thank our law enforcement partners who helped to spread the word about the warrants for Mr. Cicciu’s arrest, leading to him being taken into custody last night in Boston,” Chief Foley said. “Since we announced the warrants last week, several additional victims have come forward and we remain diligent as we continue to work on this case.”

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of the fraud scheme involving Cicciu should contact Swansea Police Officer Donald Dibiasio at 508-674-8464.

The matter remains under active investigation by the Swansea Police Department.