A mechanic from Arizona was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to wire fraud.
A judge ordered Andres Lopez, 37, to refund $1.37 million to consumers scammed by his Surprise-based company, All Performance Tuning and Diesel Repair LLC.
According to the Missouri U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lopez collected money for cars, repairs, and components but used the money for personal needs.
“Lopez solicited potential customers from across the country by claiming that he could purchase vehicles for his customers at a discounted rate,” court filings state.
A customer in Missouri wired Lopez $45,000 to purchase a car for their mother.
Prosecutors said Lopez lied about purchasing the vehicle and made a series of fake justifications for why it hadn’t been delivered, including impersonating the general manager of a Toyota dealership in text chats with the customer’s mother.
Prosecutors claimed that Lopez defrauded another victim of $560,000 even after his indictment in 2023.
Lopez’s attorney stated that he is a wonderful person who has made “terrible decisions” and has a history of doing good for others.
“He is a giving person. He has often helped others with car repairs free of charge. He frequently stops to help stranded motorists who need help changing a tire or getting a jump,” the defense counsel wrote in a statement.
