VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A Fort Lauderdale man, identified as Philippe Canell, 40, is facing serious fraud charges after attempting to illegally purchase a $75,000 Cadillac SUV using stolen personal information.
According to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Canell tried to pass off forged documents and stolen IDs to secure the purchase of a 2025 Cadillac Escalade from Linus Cadillac, Buick, GMC in Vero Beach. When dealership staff noticed discrepancies in his submitted paperwork, they alerted detectives.
Instead of declining the deal outright, sheriff’s detectives went undercover, posing as dealership employees. Wearing branded uniforms and equipped with mock paperwork, they delivered a Cadillac Lyriq—a less expensive model Canell had been approved for—to a Fort Pierce hotel, where the suspect had arranged to take delivery.
“He thought he was getting the car,” said Stephen Nichols, General Manager at the dealership, who also helped coach detectives on how to carry out the sting operation.
Once Canell signed the fake paperwork, detectives immediately arrested him. A search of his hotel room and U-Haul van revealed a stash of over 50 fake IDs, international passports, Social Security cards, suspected stolen checks, and other fraudulent documents.
“This guy didn’t learn how to do this alone,” said Sheriff Eric Flowers. “He appears to be part of a larger identity theft ring. We’re continuing the investigation, and more arrests may follow.”
Authorities suspect that the fake documents were sourced either through internet identity theft operations or by stealing physical IDs from victims’ wallets, mail, or vehicles.
“This case shows the level of sophistication in modern fraud,” Nichols added. “But also what can be done when businesses and law enforcement work together.”
Canell remains in custody as investigators work to uncover the full extent of the fraud ring he may be connected to.