Providence car dealer gets prison time for odometer rollback scheme

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Providence car dealer has been sentenced to prison for running an odometer rollback scheme that defrauded dozens of used car buyers, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced in a press release.

Pablo Beato 53, pleaded no contest to charges of conspiracy to tamper with odometers, obtain money under false pretenses, and commit forgery.

He was sentenced Monday to 15 years, with 15 months to serve at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) and the remaining time suspended with probation. Beato was also ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution over 15 years.

In early 2020, the Rhode Island State Police began their investigation after receiving multiple reports from the Rhode Island DMV about forged vehicle titles. After examining the titles in question, detectives noticed the security features on the documents were damaged due to writing over the odometer mileage disclosures to show lower mileage.

The documents were traced back to P.B. Auto Repair and Imports in Providence, who was then notified the business did not have a proper license to sell used cars. The following day all vehicles were removed from the lot and the business appeared to be closed. Months later, detectives learned Beato had moved the dealership to his home and was continuing to sell vehicles. After further investigation, including search warrants for social media accounts, detectives determined that he sold 42 vehicles with altered odometers between 2018 and 2021 on both Facebook and Craigslist.

Cases are still pending against two others changed along with Beato. Bersania Bencosme and Eddy Bencosme Diaz are also accused of participating in the odometer rollback scheme. They face charges including tampering with odometers, forgery and counterfeiting, and making a false statement to fraudulently obtain a vehicle registration. They remain out on bail until their court dates in August.

See full press release here.