Florida Car Salesman Accused Of $2.2 Million Porsche Scam

MIAMI, FL -- A former salesman at a South Florida Porsche dealership that claims to be the largest in the United States, has been accused of setting up a business with a similar name and pocketing $2.2 million in deposits for "exotic Porsche models" from more than 30 well-heeled car enthusiasts around the country.

Forty-four-year-old Shiraaz Sookralli of Broward County, was charged by federal prosecutors Tuesday with mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering.

His old employer, Champion Porsche, charged in a civil lawsuit that Sookralli had 10 children and "has had serious financial troubles through the payment of child support and money judgments against him."

That was the motive behind Sookralli's actions, according to the car dealership.

Sookralli's "shell" company was called "Champion Autosport," according to court documents.

"After forming the shell corporation, Sookralli opened a bank account in the shell corporation’s name. Sookralli then entered into bogus sales orders with customers for the unauthorized sales of non-existent future exotic Porsche models," said federal prosecutors.

"The majority of the vehicles were rare, highly sought-after, Carrera 911 models. The defendant required deposits from his victims in the form of, wire transfers, bank checks and cash that he later deposited into his shell company’s bank account," said prosecutors.

"The buyers relied on Sookralli’s longtime employment at Champion Porsche, title as “vice president of marketing,” representations that he or she would receive a yet-to-be-built Porsche vehicle, and the seemingly legitimate bank account for wiring deposits to Sookralli," prosecutors alleged. "Champion Porsche did not authorize Sookralli to conduct these transactions."

The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of Miami, FBI Special Agent George L. Piro of the Miami Field Office, Special Agent Michael J. De Palma of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony.

Sookralli made his initial court appearance Tuesday and is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick M. Hunt 10 a.m. Friday for a pretrial detention hearing.

"The defendant used the money for extravagant expenditures, including luxury vehicles, jewelry, nightclubs and restaurants," according to prosecutors. "Sookralli also funneled amounts in excess of $10,000 at a time from his shell company account to bank accounts he controlled."

Champion Porsche has contacted people who paid deposits to Sookralli’s and is cooperating with the criminal investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Cruz.