Swansea used car dealer charged with dozens of fraud counts to face a judge

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — An Attleboro man who allegedly defrauded dozens of customers of his Swansea used car dealership will face a judge Wednesday, according to the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.

Edward Cicciu, 46, will be arraigned on 43 counts of larceny under $1200 by false pretenses, two counts of larceny by check over $1200, 37 counts of forging or misusing an RMV document, 38 counts of failing to deliver title upon a motor vehicle transfer and two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle.

Swansea police began their investigation of Cicciu in 2024 after 25 people reported being defrauded by Bristol County Auto Exchange.

Police said that Cicciu would receive cars on loan from a local auto auction, but would not receive their titles until he paid for them in full.

He then allegedly put these cars up for sale at Bristol County Auto Exchange, and once a car sold, would attach fake or forged license plates and promise the customer that their title and registration would be mailed to them.

He then stopped responding to victim inquiries and never paid the auction, according to police.

Cicciu will be arraigned in Fall River Superior Court.