Phony Ferraris, 'Shamborghinis' seized at Brazil factory
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Brazilian police say they've shut down a clandestine factory that was producing fake Ferraris and sham Lamborghinis.
A father and son who owned the workshop in the southern state of Santa Catarina have been arrested on industrial property charges.
Police said the cars were being offered on social media for $45,000 to $60,000 - a small fraction of the price of the real thing.
Officials didn't say what sort of parts were used to build the vehicles, but they distributed photos showing sleek bodies, as well as badges and accessories emblazoned with the Italian brands.
Monday's raid followed a complaint by the Italian companies. Eight partially finished vehicles were seized.
This July 15, 2019 photo released by Itajai Civil Police shows luxury car replicas inside a workshop in Itajai, Brazil. Brazilian police dismantled the clandestine workshop run by a father and son who assembled fake Ferraris and Lamborghinis to order, in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina. (Itajai Civil Police via AP)
The Associated Press
This July 15, 2019 photo released by Itajai Civil Police shows emblem badges stamped with the Lamborghini logo, inside a workshop in Itajai, Brazil. Brazilian police dismantled the clandestine workshop run by a father and son who assembled fake Ferraris and Lamborghinis, in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina. (Itajai Civil Police via AP) (Itajai Civil Police via AP)
The Associated Press
This July 15, 2019 photo released by Itajai Civil Police shows luxury car replicas inside a workshop in Itajai, Brazil. Brazilian police dismantled the clandestine workshop run by a father and son who assembled fake Ferraris and Lamborghinis to order, in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina. (Itajai Civil Police via AP)
The Associated Press
This July 15, 2019 photo released by Itajai Civil Police shows the seat of a car embroidered with a fake Lamborghini logo, inside a workshop in Itajai, Brazil. Brazilian police dismantled the clandestine workshop run by a father and son who assembled fake Ferraris and Lamborghinis to order, in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina. (Itajai Civil Police via AP) (Itajai Civil Police via AP)
The Associated Press
This July 15, 2019 photo released by Itajai Civil Police shows the seat of a car embroidered with a fake Ferrari logo, inside a workshop in Itajai, Brazil. Brazilian police dismantled the clandestine workshop run by a father and son who assembled fake Ferraris and Lamborghinis to order, in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina. (Itajai Civil Police via AP)
The Associated Press
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