A used car salesperson from Philadelphia has pleaded guilty to defrauding customers who sought wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
- The scheme caused losses exceeding $1 million
- More than 100 victims across dozens of states
- Two-thirds of victims had disabilities, were seniors, or were businesses that serve those populations
49-year-old Edward Scott Rock pleaded guilty late last month to one count of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud.
More Than 100 Victims Across 3 Dozen States
According to federal authorities, between 2019 and 2023, Rock obtained used vehicles from auctions and then advertised them for sale online. The majority of vehicles sold by Rock to his victims were equipped for wheelchair users or people with disabilities.
Despite signing bills of sale for the vehicles and accepting more than $2.5 million from over 100 victims across three dozen states, Rock did not deliver them as agreed upon.
While some victims were subsequently refunded, often with money received from the scheme’s later victims, the majority of Rock’s victims remain unpaid and without their purchased vehicle.
Prosecutors: Same Van Sold 16 Times
Officials offered these examples of Rock’s business practices:…