A former used car dealer in Swansea will spend at least four years in state prison after taking money from 47 customers but never providing them titles to the vehicles, law enforcement officials said.
Edward Cicciu, 47, pleaded guilty to 120 criminal counts of larceny, forgery, and other financial /motor vehicle offenses Friday in Bristol Superior Court in Fall River, Swansea police and Bristol District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said in a joint statement.
Cicciu, of Attleboro, was sentenced to four to six years in state prison and ordered to pay restitution of nearly $341,000 to his victims, who ranged in age from 18 to 80. He was also sentenced to five years probation, the statement said.
While on probation, Cicciu cannot work in auto sales, must remain and drug and alcohol free, and submit to drug screening, according to the statement.
Cicciu ran Bristol County Auto Exchange on Route 6 in Swansea. Police started an investigation in 2024, after customers reported buying cars there, but never received the title to register them, officials said.
“These victims paid for vehicles they could not register, leaving them without reliable transportation and out thousands of dollars,” Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley said.
Cicciu obtained the vehicles from an auction company, which would not provide him with the actual title until he paid them in full, police said.
Cicciu sold the vehicles to customers, but provided them with fake or forged license plates. He told them the titles and registration would arrive by mail, according to the statement.
But the materials never arrived, and customers contacted police. A warrant was issued for Cicciu, who was apprehended by Boston police in October, 2024, the statement said.
Quinn called Cicciu’s scheme a “disturbing criminal caper.”
“He even conned a victim at her son’s wake in the funeral home,” Quinn said. “This is absolutely despicable and unconscionable conduct.”
Adam Sennott can be reached at adam.sennott@globe.com.