Accused ‘heartless grifter’ auto scammer from Dearborn released on bond

A man prosecutors say is a “practiced and heartless grifter” has been released from custody after making bond. Marcelo Cipriano Alvarado is accused of scamming more than 25 people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to police. Alvarado appeared in court on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Lincoln Park, where he’s facing 10 felony charges -- including conducting a criminal enterprise. Alvarado is also facing a theft by deception charge in Toledo, Ohio, and has been ordered to appear in court there on July 2, 2026.