N.J. car dealer's $2M scheme defrauds Russian customers, authorities say

NEWARK -- FBI agents on Thursday arrested a Pennsylvania man on charges he used his Elizabeth car dealership to defraud more than 140 Russian citizens of more than $2 million.

Sergey Kapustin, of Warminster, Pa., faces one count each of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman.

Making his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark, Kapustin -- wearing a purple and green track suit beneath cuffed hands -- kept his head lowered as a Russian-speaking interpreter translated Dickson's instructions.

Prosecutors say Kapustin, the owner of Global Auto Group, Effect Auto Sales and G Auto Sales, offered high-end luxury vehicles for sale online at below-market prices, on the condition the foreign buyers paid the full price up front.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/union/index.ssf/2016/12/owner_of_elizabeth_car_dealership_accused_of_defra.html