The car was sent from Quebec, Canada, to a car dealer in Florida in December 2019 when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry in Buffalo, New York, noticed something strange, according to court documents. .
During their inspection, they saw that the rivets containing the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) plate were covered with a black, tar-like substance that did not conform to the factory standards.
The CPB detained the car for investigation and contacted Ferrari and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
They learned that the car had been stolen from a parking garage at the Hotel Dontello in Imola, Italy, in March 2003 and never recovered.
According to the documents, Paolo Provenzi, who lives in Italy, was able to prove that he and his father and brother bought the Ferrari about a month before it was stolen for about $ 309,500 (€ 260,000). The loss was not covered by insurance.
It is unclear how the Ferrari came from Italy to Canada, where Mohammed Alsaloussi of Florida bought it in September 2019 for $ 1.435 million. According to the documentation, Alsaloussi said he had no idea the car was reported stolen.
Both men now want the car back.
“When it’s over, a movie will be made about this,” Piras told The Buffalo News. “It simply came to our notice then. It’s been in Japan for a while. ‘
CNN tried to reach Piras on Friday, but her office said she was not immediately available.
According to court documents, Alsaloussi registered the car with Ikonick Collections Ltd., a holding company for its collection of rare cars.
“Our client has the government’s title and registration of the vehicle, and has paid fair market value to a trusted seller,” Richard O’Neill, attorney for Alsaloussi, said in a statement.
“Recently we discovered the existence of the other plaintiff. We have many questions about the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged sale and theft in 2003. If the other plaintiff appears in this case, we intend to have a very thorough “We have been eagerly awaiting the filing of this action and look forward to resolving this matter.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said during the filing that the government had “great doubts” about which plaintiff should get the car.
“After investigation, my office determined that it would not be appropriate to exercise our authority and forfeit this extremely valuable and previously stolen luxury car,” U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy jr. Said in a statement.
“Instead, after an 18-year-old odyssey, as far as we know, took it through continents and countries, we decided that the time had come for a court of law to determine the rightful owner of the vehicle.”
Until the case is settled, the car is being held by CBP in Buffalo.