Fraudulent car salesmen masquerade as managers scamming $50K out of customers

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Two men accused of scamming Lawrenceville car shoppers out of tens of thousands of dollars are on the run.

Ibrahim Ali, 30, and Alexander Weigard, 27, worked at the Auto Star Dealership on Scenic Highway.

The two men pretended to be managers at the dealership in order to cheat customers out of at least $50,000, according to the Lawrenceville Police Department.

Lawrenceville Police Capt. Salvador Ortega says customers began complaining back in February. Ortega says Ali and Weigard lured in customers using fictitious companies Atlanta Highline Motors and Atlanta Motor Source to advertise cars legitimately for sale at Auto Star.  

"They made it seem like they were helping the victims pick a car," Ortega said. "The suspects requested a down payment to be placed on that vehicle." 

That down payment would range from $1,000 to almost $15,000, investigators said.

Ortega says the next day, the men would tell customers their loan company denied their applications. Then they’d refuse to give back their money. 

"Due to the store's no refund policy, they would not be getting their down payment back," Ortega said. 

 Lawrenceville police so far have fielded complaints from at least 15 customers.

"It’s still going on. We’re getting victims who come here every day," he said. 

In total, officials estimate around $50,000 has been stolen from all the victims. 

"It is a lot of money," Ortega said, adding the men never had any intention of processing customers’ loan applications. "They saved their hard-earned money. And now they’re out of a vehicle and out of their money," Ortega said 

Auto Star would not speak with FOX 5. Police say the dealership fired both men and is cooperating with the investigation. 

Ali and Weigard are on the run. They're wanted on numerous accounts of theft by deception.

If you recognize this pair or think you're a victim, give the Lawrenceville Police Department a call at 770-670-5172.