Odometer Fraud!

[STORMINORMAN]

Well, I'm OBVIOUSLY not as sharp as I may have thought, previously!

The ' 73 450SE has TWO HUNDRED and 72 THOUSAND actual one-owner miles on it, actually. The guy who sold it to me had swapped out the odometer/or whole speedo assy., fraudulently applied for a new vehicle registration sticker (forging the name of the previous owners, a doctor & his wife), thereby getting the DMV clerk to verify the VIN and "new" mileage, then forged the doctor's signature on a down payment receipt and bill of sale he gave me, too!

When I discovered this and contacted the local police they asked how much $ I felt he had swindled me out of: I said...

"Well, the lease companies charge you an additional $0.10 - 0.15 per mile on mileage over the annual agreement: that would be $20,000.00 @ a dime per mile! Say a penny a mile and it is still $2,000.00..."

The cop laughed.

Actually, the guy had put an additional $600 in the car between the time he bought it from the doctor and scammed me. He's actually looking at a couple misdemeanors and a felony charge, or two. AND WE HAVE HIM ON THE SECURITY TAPE AT THE CREDIT UNION !!!!!!

I still like the car and plan on keeping it, although some of the original "low miles, one-owner" luster has tarnished, somewhat

Hell, I'll show 'em! I'll just drive this baby to 500,000 miles and see who has the last laugh

[TN-W124 Diesel]

I would get the a meanest lawyer I could fine and sue him, dont let this bum get away with this..also contact your Dept of Motor Vechiles, also check with your State Attorney Generals office I am sure they would like to know this..

[tjohn]

I am sorry you got taken, especially as I think you said you paid five large for the car. I hope you are able to make this guy refund at least part of the money. If he can't make you a sweet deal, I really would consider suing him, especially if the police file charges against him as well. I can't imagine blue book is more than $1000 - probably less - so I bet you could make out pretty well for your trouble.

[STORMINORMAN]

Actually, the police are interested as this guy has obviously scammed people before, including the original owner.

As far as the BlueBook value is concerned, tjohn, this car (even with the high miles) is worth more than you would think. It is in the specialty car version and valuation would range more upon its condition (which I feel is excellent, overall) vs. any large deduction for mileage (which is still under 10K per).

I figure I'm out between 1 & 2 K, maybe...

Never have sued anyone before... More interested in this guy getting apprehended, eventually. His type don't usually have a pot to piss in, so court ordered restitution may be the more practical way to recover.

As I said to my wife, "Five years from now, if we doidn't have to put a load of cash into this car, we well may just laugh at this!

I hope!

Thanks to all!

[Peter Guenther]

I thought it was a federal crime to mess with odometer?

[STORMINORMAN]

...a FEDERAL case out'a this!

Actually, I think it is a State issue, most likely a forgery (or two)and fraud by deception. May be some fed laws on tampering but you almost always have to get into the Interstate commerce concept for them to be interested. If you had an organized ring doing many odo frauds, maybe...

IF (and when?) they get this guy (I HOPE ) I'll report. I'm working on some pictures to post.

My wife's already named the car KARMA, as in "Good Karma" for the 1-owner 30 years, not "Bad Karma" vis'-a-vis' the perp! Actually, she's driving it now and we plan on her using it for her commute to find out how she'll run and maybe keep the miles off the '91 420SEL...

Cheers!

Good luck with everything STORMINORMAN!

[STORMINORMAN]

Please see my 7/30 posting:

re: odometer fraud "BOOK'EM Danno!"