Winter Park man accused of ripping off luxury car clients

A Winter Park man is accused of using his auto broker business to rip off clients for more than $1 million.

According to investigators 33-year-old Adam Burdette took money for luxury cars, but never delivered them.

Burdette has been arrested twice and another case is under investigation.

WFTV caught up with Burdette outside his lakefront home in Winter Park, which is the same place listed as the address for his business Auto Export Shield. Its website claims to protect auto dealerships.

"That appears to be a completely fraudulent business," Winter Park Police Department Lt. Thomas Pearson said.

Police said a businessman in California sent Burdette $345,000 for four luxury cars, but they were never delivered.

"Were you ripping people off?" WFTV reporter Jeff Deal asked.

"Nope. I don't have anything to say," he replied.

Police believe Burdette advertises the cars below market costs to lure people in.

In 2009, Burdette pleaded no contest to a similar crime where he took $400,000 for cars that were never delivered.

Investigators said it was possible Burdette shipped the cars out of the country, but they think most likely the advertised cars never existed.

"This is a pretty concerning case because we have a history that goes back three years for this type of incident," Pearson said.

Police do not know if they have any local victims, but they are investigating a third case from another out-of-state customer.

WFTV found a website that is specifically dedicated to warning people about doing business with Burdette and Auto Export Shield.

Burdette is out of jail on a $5,000 bond. He was ordered to pay more than $432,000 of restitution to his 2009 victim, but court records show he has only paid about $50,000.