Couple accused of defrauding used car buyers on eBay

Lisandra S. Gutierrez, Anthony Zafarino face dozens of grand theft charges

Lisandra S. Gutierrez and Anthony Zafarino face dozens of counts of grand theft.

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – A South Florida couple is accused of defrauding customers who believed that they were buying high-quality used cars on eBay.

Lisandra S. Gutierrez turned herself in Thursday, and Anthony Zafarino was arrested Wednesday, Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Veda Coleman-Wright said.

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According to the BSO, detectives received numerous complaints from customers of Tropical Automotive Wholesale Group Inc. in Deerfield Beach.

"The complaints alleged false and fraudulent misrepresentations of used cars sold on eBay motors," Coleman-Wright told Local 10 News in an email. "Buyers found when they purchased used cars, the cars were not in the advertised condition and cost thousands to tens of thousands of dollars to repair."

Other complaints alleged that the company sold cars that it didn't possess.

"Several banks were defrauded in the scheme after buyers sent funds from auto loans or funds from personal accounts to pay for the purchased cars," Coleman-Wright said.

Gutierrez faces 20 counts of grand theft and Zafarino faces 16 counts of grand theft.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.