LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A local classic car restorer is facing 31 felony fraud charges after investigators say he took money from victims around the world and abandoned their restoration projects.
Anthony Tamaio allegedly identified himself as a person who would restore or repair classic cars from the 1950s and 1960s, according to court documents. Investigators say most of his victims were elderly, aged 60 or older, and paid anywhere from $17,000 to $65,000 for restoration work.
MORE ON FOX5: Las Vegas man accused of defrauding classic car owners of more than $1 million
“At times, it was their life savings,” FOX5 reporter Victoria Saha said.
California family loses heirloom truck
A California woman told FOX5 that she and her husband wanted to restore his grandfather’s 1962 Chevy truck, a family heirloom they planned to pass down to their children. They found Tamaio’s business and called several of his references, who gave him great ratings.
The family dropped the car off in 2021 and paid over $33,000. They said Tamaio would not allow them to swing by the shop unannounced and told them to come at certain times.
Tamaio later called them, saying the city was shutting down the shop, and told them to come get their car. When they arrived, the truck was in three different parts.
“She said it was like a shell of the car. They said the inside was ripped out,” Saha said. “They had to tow it back home in three different parts.”
The woman said her husband started crying because the truck belonged to his grandfather. The family had paid for new seats and new carpeting for the interior, but the vehicle was returned with only the steering wheel inside.
Attorney General investigating
Court documents filed by Attorney General Aaron Ford said Tamaio would collect money and abandon projects. The alleged scheme ran from 2016 until 2024.
The Nevada Attorney General’s Office identified about 30 victims in their court documents, but there could be more. A Facebook group for victims of the alleged scam has 60 members.
After the FOX5 story aired, Saha said she received emails from other victims. One man said his father’s truck from the 1950s was handed down to him when he was 16 as his first car. The man, now 46, wanted to restore the car so his father, who was dying of cancer, could take one last drive in it before he passed away. That did not happen.
The DMV Compliance Division told Saha that people from around the world would find Tamaio and send him money.
Tamaio was arrested at a local business. He posted his surety bond and had a court appearance last week, where negotiations were ongoing.
Saha called Tamaio and introduced herself. As soon as she started talking about the story, he hung up. He did not respond to a text message.
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