More than 20 customers of a Chevrolet dealership in Oaxaca, Mexico, allege they were defrauded out of over 15 million pesos – roughly $875,000 USD – in a scheme involving vehicle trade-ins and purchases. Two former and current managers of the dealership have been arrested in connection with the alleged fraud, authorities announced.
Donato Daniel Cárdenas Flores, a former manager, and Antonio Palayut Trujillo, the current manager of Chevrolet MEGA Oaxaca, were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the scheme. The arrests come after two other dealership employees were already facing fraud charges and were being held in pre-trial detention, according to reports.
Victims claim they turned over their vehicles and provided funds to purchase new cars, but the dealership failed to register the receipt of their trade-ins and never delivered the promised new vehicles. The case underscores the potential for financial loss when trading in vehicles.
Oscar Rodríguez Sánchez, one of those defrauded, stated that on May 29, 2025, he handed over his truck to Betel Danizú and Donato Cárdenas, along with all original vehicle documents, with the understanding it would be used as a down payment toward a new vehicle. He was told he would receive the new vehicle within three days, but that never happened.
Dalila López Morales recounted a similar experience, saying the company contacted her with an offer for a “client diamond” discount and excellent bonuses if she traded in her vehicle for a new one. She turned over her truck and paid an additional 239,000 pesos – approximately $13,900 USD – but never received the new vehicle, and her original truck disappeared.
Another victim, Oswaldo Amador Hernández, returned his truck to the dealership due to the fact that he could no longer afford the payments. While the dealership acknowledged receiving the vehicle, it subsequently disappeared, and the company continues to bill him for the loan.
Authorities in Oaxaca have compiled multiple criminal cases against the two arrested individuals, according to the Fiscalía General de Oaxaca. The cases will now proceed through the legal system.
Prosecutors indicated that a priority in these cases is compensating the victims for their financial losses through restorative justice processes.
