February 4, 2019
Las Vegas, NV – Today, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford announced that Shane Allen Unruh, 45, of Henderson, pleaded guilty for his role in an investment scam following an indictment by the Clark County Grand Jury. Unruh and his codefendant Brian James Oney, who previously pleaded guilty, convinced multiple individuals to purchase vehicles purportedly for use by Uber drivers. Unruh pleaded guilty to one count of Securities Fraud, a category “B” felony, and one count of Theft, a category “B” felony. The fraudulent acts were committed between September and November, 2015.
Through an elaborate scheme, Unruh and Oney led their victims to believe that their company, U.B.R. Leasing, was affiliated with or under contract with Uber Technologies, a ridesharing company. The defendants solicited their victims to use personal credit towards purchasing multiple vehicles, and falsely represented that U.B.R. would make all monthly loan payments on the vehicles, as well as pay for insurance and registration for the vehicles. Unruh and Oney allegedly promised that the victims would receive 30% of the net profits from each of their vehicles. But, victims were never informed that they would be personally liable for the vehicles if U.B.R. failed to make payments on the loans. Unbeknownst to victims, funds in the U.B.R. bank account were being used towards personal expenses, even as the loan payments were not being made.
Additionally, Unruh and Oney obtained their victims’ cash or cashback checks provided by the dealership as part of their vehicle purchases. The defendants misrepresented to the victims that this money would be used to pay for registration, loan payments, and other expenses related to their vehicles, when the funds were instead being used for other purposes.
“I’m proud of the efforts of my office to protect Nevadans by investigating and dismantling complex schemes, and preventing scammers from taking advantage of Nevadans,” said AG Ford. “We will continue to pursue justice for our victims and hold scammers accountable.”
Securities fraud is punishable by up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of no more than $500,000. Theft is punishable by up to ten years of imprisonment and a fine of no more than $10,000. The sentencing hearing for Unruh is scheduled for August 5, 2019 in the Eighth Judicial District Court.
This case was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Criminal Prosecution Unit and was jointly investigated by the Attorney General’s Office and the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.
The amended criminal indictment for Shane Allen Unruh is attached. To file a complaint about someone suspected of committing a fraud, click here.
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