The city has ordered several Brooklyn car dealerships to drive out deceptive practices from their businesses or face closure.
City Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz says customers lost thousands of dollars at eight dealerships in Brooklyn and Queens due to phony sweepstakes.
"We saw a pattern of deceptive practices. Part of it was bait and switch ... That you won a car," said Mintz, whose office is pursuing fines and damages.
Victims say the lesson was costly, but necessary. "I feel deceived and that I was betrayed and I'm not happy with the price," said Alisha Hoyt about her Chrysler. "The next time I buy a car I will be careful and I won't sign ... documents until I see everything filled in."
The city plans to force dealerships that don't clean up their act to close. State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office is also investigating.
Related information:List of dealerships under investigation:Auto Central - 5262 Kings HighwayBaron Auto Mall - 187-10 Jamaica Ave.Baron Kia - 1942 Utica Ave.Brooklyn Doge - 5226 Kings HighwayPopular Ford - 2505 Coney Island Ave.Popular Kia - 1515 Utica Ave.Driveworld - 1922 Utica Ave.Driveworld - 1750 Coney Island Ave.