Alleged Calgary car scammer sought by police
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a Calgary man alleged to have bilked a dozens people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in a car-selling scheme.
Santo Cena, 52, is wanted on fraud charges by Calgary police in connection with a series of scams that are believed to have netted him more than $600,000.
The alleged fraud involves the promise of good deals on luxury cars.
Kevin Green said he fell victim three years ago, when he was told that Cena could arrange for him to get big discounts on the purchase of two luxury sport utility vehicles.
"At that time, many people were, you know, importing vehicles out of the States," Green said. "He seemed to have all the connections and all the answers, and it was going to be quick and easy."
Public warnings about Cena
But it was neither quick nor easy. After handing over $65,000, months went by without Green ever getting the cars he had been promised.
"To put that kind of money into your bank account takes a lot of years, and I've got a family and young kids," Green said. "It's been tough on me personally, and for our family very much so, and I'm not the only one."
Green said there had been no public warnings issued about Cena, whose whereabouts are unknown, when he dealt with him in 2008.
Police say they charged Cena for all known victims between 2007 and 2009, but the public is being warned about him now because two new victims have recently come forward claiming to have also been defrauded by Cena.
Cena is described as being five-feet-eight inches tall and weighing 200 pounds. He has blue eyes, brown hair and often wears a moustache.
Police say he drives a black 2001 Pontiac Grand AM, with the licence plate number BDB 3986.