Atlanta Car Dealer Believes His $500K Rolls-Royce Was Rerouted to Mexico, Sold to Singer Luis Conriquez
A Ritzy Rip-Off
A car dealer from Georgia believes he was the victim of a ritzy rip-off, after he said, crooks rerouted the delivery of a special edition Rolls-Royce, pulling off a crime that become all too common.
The Heist
Speaking with 7News on Friday, Travis Payne said he is still feeling pain over the Rolls he bought and ordered last year: “This is a $500,000 car, brand-new.”
The Rerouting
Payne, who is based out of Atlanta, said he never received his pricey ride. Payne believes his SUV to now be in Guadalajara, Mexico. But let’s start with how this exotic car dealer said his Rolls was ripped off: “They’re taking the information, they’re logging in under a different company,” said Payne.
The Method
Just like several recent luxury car thefts featured on 7News, Payne said his vehicle was grabbed in the same way authorities across Miami-Dade County say other ritzy rides are being taken: with scammers posing as vehicle transport brokers and creating a new and fraudulent delivery order. A police report stated the thieves “[reroute] the truck drivers upon them picking up vehicles posted for transport and routing them to other locations.” “Their cargo is stolen, and they don’t know it,” said Payne.
The Investigation
Payne saw 7News’ reports on past auto thefts and agreed to be interviewed. “I mean, my car had GPS tracking, and they disabled it within 12 minutes,” he said. That was over the summer, when his SUV was rerouted from Arizona to Los Angeles instead of arriving to his dealership in Atlanta. “I asked, ‘Hey, did you guys get a Rolls Royce Cullinan delivered?’ And they’re like, ‘No, but you’re not the first person to call,” he said.
The Lead
Payne said police were no help, but he generated leads through the online exotic car community. “I got a tip, with a TikTok video, of someone doing like a full video walk-around of the car, showing it off,” he said. “I was able to positively identify that was my car.” Though it was wrapped in a different color, Payne said, his vehicle was posted on social media and wound up at a Mexican dealership.
The New Owner
Payne said boxer Canelo Alvarez is tied to the dealership. “They sold it to Luis Conriquez,” he said, referring to the Mexican singer. How does he know Conriquez has his wheels? “There’s tons of pictures and videos,” said Payne.
The Future
However, Payne is not accusing either star of committing a crime. He just wants his ride back. When he tried giving the Mexican dealership the car’s VIM number, Payne said, they stopped communicating. He’s considering taking legal action. Payne also called out the Arizona dealership, because he said, the proper documentation wasn’t verified when transporters came to pick up his SUV.
Conclusion
The theft of luxury vehicles is a growing concern, with scammers posing as transport brokers and rerouting vehicles to sell them on the black market. Payne’s story is a prime example of how these thieves operate, and he is determined to get his Rolls-Royce back.
FAQs
* What is the estimated value of the stolen Rolls-Royce?
+ $500,000
* Where is the stolen vehicle believed to be located?
+ Guadalajara, Mexico
* Who is the new owner of the stolen vehicle?
+ Mexican singer Luis Conriquez
* Has Travis Payne accused either Canelo Alvarez or Luis Conriquez of committing a crime?
+ No, he is not accusing either star of committing a crime.
