Florida Luxury Auto Dealers Face Racketeering Charges in Alleged Title Fraud Scheme
DAVIE, Fla. — A high-stakes scheme to flip luxury vehicles using falsified documentation has led to serious criminal charges against a Florida couple operating a boutique dealership. The case highlights vulnerabilities in the title transfer process for high-value used cars and the risks posed to unsuspecting consumers.
Michael Anthony Lucci, 32, and Emily Marie Lucci, 30, owners of Luxury Auto Source in Davie, were arrested last month following a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) investigation. They face a combined 46 charges, including racketeering, organized fraud, and multiple counts of forgery and perjury related to vehicle titles.
The investigation began in January when authorities flagged a suspicious parts invoice submitted for a 2020 Nissan GT-R. According to arrest affidavits, Emily Lucci presented documentation at a Miami-Dade tag agency claiming over $18,000 in repairs to obtain a clean Florida title. Investigators allege the invoice was fabricated, with actual repair costs near $1,200. The vehicle was subsequently listed for $94,500—a stark markup from its $55,000 sale price just two years prior.
"This wasn't a simple paperwork error. This was a deliberate, repeated pattern to deceive the system and ultimately defraud consumers," stated an FHP investigator familiar with the case. The scheme allegedly allowed the couple to obtain "rebuilt" titles for damaged vehicles, masking their history and inflating their market value.
A deeper probe revealed eight additional luxury vehicles with similarly questionable documentation, including a 2022 Porsche 911, a 2017 Bentley, and a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. One vehicle, a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, was found to have multiple vehicle identification numbers (VINs), with its engine traced to a car stolen in North Carolina.
In arrest reports, investigators warned that the fraudulently titled vehicles "present a significant risk to innocent purchasers," who could face seizure of the car and total loss of their investment. The case underscores ongoing challenges in regulating the used luxury market, where title washing—obscuring a vehicle's salvage or damage history—can yield substantial illegal profits.
The Luccis were released on $30,000 bonds each. Attempts to reach their legal representation were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Reaction & Analysis
David Chen, Auto Fraud Attorney: "This case is a textbook example of title washing. Florida's rebuilt title process is meant for transparency, but it can be manipulated. Buyers of high-end used cars must get independent inspections and full history reports, even from licensed dealers."
Marcus Johnson, Former Insurance Adjuster: "The profit margin here is the motive. Taking a car that should have a salvage title, forging a few thousand dollars in repair invoices, and suddenly it's a 'clean title' vehicle worth double. It undermines the entire market's integrity."
Rebecca Vance, Consumer Advocate (sharper tone): "It's infuriating. These dealers are predators in suits. They're not just fudging numbers—they're setting up hard-working people for financial ruin. Where was the oversight? This didn't happen overnight. The system failed to catch them until they got greedy with a six-figure GT-R."
Carlos Mendez, Luxury Car Broker: "The vast majority of dealers are reputable, but cases like this damage trust. It's a reminder that in any major purchase, especially six-figure vehicles, due diligence is non-negotiable. Always verify the title's chain of custody."