According to investigators from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Compliance Enforcement Division (CED), a man was arrested after allegedly selling a 2003 Honda Element on Facebook marketplace after rolling back the odometer and committing title fraud.
The crime is reminiscent Danny DeVito’s famous role depicting the crooked car salesman father of Matilda in the popular 1996 family film.
However, unlike Harry Wormwood, this suspect has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies.
According to the CED, an online complaint was submitted stating that an individual had purchased the vehicle through Facebook marketplace for $4,200, and was told by the seller it had just over 133,000 miles on it.
However, investigators found that both the odometer and title had been tampered with and forged as part of the sale.
Just three days prior, the suspect had purchased the vehicle with over 260,000 miles for $1,200, and received the title with the seller’s signature on it.
However, the suspect did not sign the buyer’s section of the title. The next day, the vehicle completed a smog test and received a vehicle inspection report showing the Honda now only had 133,292 miles on it, according to the CED.
Investigators then determined the suspect “title jumped” the ownership chain, meaning he used the original seller’s name and signature when selling the vehicle.
Three days after he purchased the vehicle, the suspect allegedly pretended to be the original owner with the transfer of the Nevada title to the victim.
The suspect sold the vehicle for $4,500 to the victim using Facebook Marketplace, stating on the ad that the vehicle had over 133k miles on it.
“It is imperative that we ask buyers to take the extra step and ensure they are purchasing a legitimate vehicle,” said CED Chief J.D. Decker. “Get a photo of the seller’s ID and contact information, and meet at a DMV VIN inspection station, eliminating the possibility of odometer tampering.”
The suspect was charged for three felonies, including: unlawful change of mileage; unlawful sale, offer of sale or display for sale of motor vehicle; forgery, and other acts constituting forgery.
However, the CED did not provide the name of the suspect with their press release.
If you believe you are a victim of a possible scam, please contact CED at 775-684-4790.
