RI Trio Sold Cars On Facebook With Fake Mileage Readings: Police

PROVIDENCE, RI — Three unlicensed Providence used car dealers were arrested by Rhode Island State Police and accused of rolling back odometers and preparing fraudulent paperwork to conduct motor vehicle sales on Facebook Marketplace.

Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit investigated a paperwork discrepancy reported by the Department of Motor Vehicles, state police said in a release. The RMV had reported a car sale where the odometer reading had apparently been altered on both the vehicle and on supporting documents. Eventually, detectives say they identified over 50 vehicles registered in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut that were sold with rolled-back odometers and fraudulent paperwork, including titles and registrations.

As a result of the investigation, 17 vehicles were seized from the home and business of Pablo Beato, 49, of 38 Kenwood St. Also arrested were Bersania Bencosme, 34, of the same address, and Eddy Bencosme Diaz, 21, of 174 Regent Avenue.

Beato pretended to be a licensed used car dealer, but he has no such license, state police said. Beato owns and operates P.B. Auto Repair and & Imports LLC at 600 Cranston Street and 45 Anthony Avenue in Providence.

The three are charged with:

• Tampering with Odometers
• False Statement to Fraudulently Obtain a Registration
• Forgery and Counterfeiting
• Access to a Computer for Fraudulent Purpose
• Obtaining Property by False Pretenses
• Conspiracy

Beato, Bencosme, and Diaz were arraigned by a justice of the peace at state police headquarters. Beato was released on $5000 surety. Bencosme and Diaz were released on $1000 personal recognizance. They were ordered to show up in court again on August 12.

Tampering with odometers is a felony and can lead to a prison sentence of up to five years, a fine of not more than $10,000, or one dollar for each mile marking the difference between the actual mileage of the car and the mileage represented at the time of sale.

Anyone with information regarding a vehicle related to the investigation is asked to call Detective Stephen Brown at 401-462-5744. Jeffrey Q. Morin and John M. Moreira of the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office are prosecuting the case.