Spanish police have broken up a syndicate of fraudsters who had been using the internet to sell ordinary cars that had been converted to resemble deluxe models.

Police in Valencia arrested eight people and seized several cars, including fake Ferraris and imitation Aston Martins.

The fraudsters used fibre-glass pieces and faked deluxe model badges to transform the cars, which were then sold online at prices well below the market rate.

Officers raided two garages where the conversions were carried out near the eastern city of Valencia, a police statement said.

They arrested eight people suspected of converting and selling the cars and seized 10 cars - 17 fake Ferraris and two imitation Aston Martins.

"The supposed deluxe cars were advertised on two websites for about $60,000, compared to the more than 295,000 euros that an authentic model would cost on the legal market," the police said.

"The final appearance of the supposed deluxe vehicles, in their external and internal design and even in the details of the engine, simulated to perfection the look of the original models."

AFP