3 Charged In Odometer Rollback Fraud Scheme: RI State Police

PROVIDENCE, RI — Three Providence residents were arrested last week in connection with a reported odometer rollback scheme, Rhode Island State Police said. More than 50 vehicles listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace are believed to have altered odometers, according to police.

Pablo Beato, 49, Bersania Bencosme, 34, and Eddy Bencosme Diaz, 21, were each charged with tampering with odometers, false statements to fraudulently obtain a registration, forgery and counterfeiting, access to a computer for fraudulent purposes and obtaining property by false pretenses and conspiracy.

The investigation was sparked by a complaint filed by the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, claiming a discrepancy in mileage on vehicle registrations. Police determined that the odometer reading listed on the registration paperwork and the vehicle itself had been changed. The vehicle was sold by Beato, who claimed to be a licensed used car dealer, police said.

Beato is the owner of P.B. Auto Repair and Imports, LLC, both in Providence. According to state police, neither Beato nor any business he associated with is licensed to sell vehicles in Rhode Island.

Police determined that more than 50 vehicles listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace and sold by Beato, Diaz and Benscome had fraudulent registrations and rolled-back odometers. The vehicles were registered in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. In total, police seized 17 vehicles from Beato's home and businesses.

All three were arraigned at state police headquarters. Beato was released on $5,000 surety bail, while Diaz and Benscome were released on $1,000 personal recognizance. They are scheduled to appear in court again Aug. 12.