The US authorities are investigating how a 1996 Ferrari F50 that was stolen in Italy 18 years ago He made it to the Canadian border for a purchase made by a Florida man. There are indications that was in Japan and other countries before he was held in New York.
–
This exotic car valued at almost 2 million dollars is now at the center of a legal dispute between the man who claims it was stolen in Italy in March 2003 and a Florida resident who says acquired it legally in September 2019 to add to your luxurious vehicle collection.
–
The red Ferrari F50 is one of 349 that the prestigious Italian automaker manufactured on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. That model in good condition rises in value over time because it is considered a piece worthy of a museum. The unit in question has only traveled 10,708 miles over 25 years and the US Attorney’s Office states that its cost is $ 1,949,699.
–
Faced with the legal battle between those who claim to be its rightful owners, the Western District of New York of the Department of Justice (DOJ) decided to file a civil action to determine who owns it.
–
“After investigation, my office determined that it would not be appropriate for us to exercise our authority and impound this extremely valuable and previously stolen car,” stated US Attorney James P. Kennedy in a statement.
–
“Instead, after an 18-year odyssey, which we know took across continents and countries, we have decided that the time has come for a court of law to determine the rightful owner of the vehicle,” Kennedy added.
–
The car has been under government protection since December 14, 2019, when it tried to pass through the Peace Bridge port of entry, on the northern border between Canada and New York.
–
Customs and Border Control (CBP) agents who inspected the Ferrari discovered that some rivets from the vehicle identification plate (VIN) located on the dash were covered “With a black tar-like substance, which is inconsistent with factory standards, ”the Prosecutor’s Office said in the statement.
–
After inquiries, it was detected that the car had a theft report issued in Italy since March 2003. Then, Paolo Provenzi, who lives in that country, reported to the authorities that he disappeared when he was parked at the Hotel Dontello in the city of Imola. , in northern Italy. They never found it. He told the police that he bought it for $ 309,000 a month before the thieves took it.
–
But the man who was taking him to Florida, Mohammed Alsaloussi, claimed that already paid 1.4 million dollars for the car and stated that he was trying to add it to his collection called Ikonick Collections Ltd.
–
The New York Prosecutor’s Office declared that a deeper investigation and a judicial authority will determine who is the rightful owner of the Ferrari.
–
