HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — A Hawaii man who lost his entire life savings in a luxury car scam has finally been made whole 16 months after a Local 10 News investigation exposed the fraud.
Alan Sue wired $275,000 in April 2024 for a custom 2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, tricked out with what appeared to be a rare, high-end Brabus appearance and performance package. The vehicle was listed for sale by Dream Auto Collection, a dealership located in Hollywood.
But the SUV never arrived.
Sue, who lives more than 6,500 miles away in Hawaii, says he was ghosted by Dream Auto after wiring the money, funds he had saved for his granddaughter’s college tuition. The realization that he’d been ripped off left him devastated.
“Seriously, Jeff, I thought about killing myself,” Sue said during a recent Zoom interview. “I was tearing my hair out, trying to stay calm.”
His feelings of despair persisted for months.
“It’s a good thing I don’t own a gun,” he added. “I might have blown my brains out.”
Sue’s story took a hopeful turn when he found a Local 10 report, Investigator Jeff Weinsier did about a Georgia couple similarly scammed by the same dealership. Reaching out to the station set in motion a series of investigations by local and federal authorities.
“We called Dream Auto. We asked tough questions,” Weinsier said. “The state revoked their license immediately, and the Hollywood Police Department and FBI got involved.”
Vitalii Stefurac, 48, the owner of Dream Auto, was arrested by federal agents as he tried to board a flight bound for Russia. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Sue, a former Boy Scout taught to trust others, says the experience has forever changed him.
“I always looked for the good in people, but it’s ruined me,” he said. “I can’t trust a soul anymore. I don’t even trust my next-door neighbor.”
Despite the emotional toll, Sue recently received a surprise — the full $275,000 wired back to his bank account.
“My bank shows the full wire transfer,” he said. “It came out of the blue. It’s like a gift from heaven.”
Sue expressed deep gratitude to Local 10 and law enforcement officials for their persistence in pursuing justice.
“I never thought I’d see one red cent again,” he said. “I went from feeling like I didn’t belong on this earth anymore to feeling joy and elation. My life has been restored.”
It turns out the G-Wagon Sue wanted was actually sold to someone else in Chicago, and the upscale Brabus package he admired online was fake.
Sue says he’s still dreaming of owning a G-Wagon — but this time, he plans to do his homework before making another purchase.
“Maybe one day I’ll have enough change left over to actually buy one,” he joked.
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