Philadelphia Car Salesman Sentenced in $2.5 Million Wheelchair Van Fraud Scheme
A Philadelphia used car salesman has been sentenced to prison after federal authorities said he stole more than $2.5 million from customers seeking wheelchair-accessible vehicles, many of whom never received the vans they paid for.
Edward Scott Rock, 50, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to 41 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to mail fraud and wire fraud. He was also ordered to pay $1,457,617 in restitution and faces a forfeiture judgment of $1,469,617.
According to court filings, Rock operated the scheme between 2019 and 2023, advertising wheelchair-accessible vehicles, taking payments, and then failing to deliver the promised vans. Prosecutors said he targeted a particularly vulnerable customer base, including people with disabilities, elderly buyers, medical transport companies, senior living homes, and other small businesses…