Edmonton Man Charged for Rolling Back Odometers, Inflating Vehicle Prices
An Edmonton resident has been charged with fraud for allegedly rolling back odometers on used vehicles. Harmandeep Singh Bindra, 39, is accused of purchasing high-mileage cars, altering their odometers by hundreds of thousands of kilometers, and then reselling them at inflated prices.
Fraud Investigation by Edmonton Police
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is actively investigating this case after receiving a complaint on March 13. The complaint involved a vehicle sold through Facebook Marketplace that exhibited signs of an altered odometer.
Details of the Allegations
- Bindra is known to sell vehicles under multiple aliases, including Hary Smith and Harry Singh.
- His primary focus appears to be on Nissan Altimas, Honda Accords, and Honda CR-Vs.
- Investigators believe he provided forged CARFAX reports to misrepresent the actual mileage of the vehicles.
Importance of Due Diligence
Const. Amelia Towns of the EPS emphasized the necessity of conducting thorough research before purchasing a vehicle. She recommended obtaining a CARFAX report independently to verify a vehicle’s history and avoid potential scams.
Precautions for Buyers
When considering purchasing a used vehicle, potential buyers are advised to:
- Ask for proof of ownership and proper identification from the seller.
- Verify that the seller’s ID matches the vehicle registration.
- Request a vehicle information report from a registry agent or Alberta Motor Association.
- Consider getting a safety inspection from a certified facility.
Call for Additional Victims
To date, police have identified two victims but suspect there may be more. They encourage anyone who believes they have been scammed by Bindra to reach out to the EPS at 780-423-4567 or submit anonymous tips via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Ensuring that all documentation and records are kept is essential. Retain all bills of sale and service records to protect yourself from future issues.
