Watch CBS News

Brothers Charged With Rolling Back Odometers By More Than 2.6 Million Miles

FEDERAL HEIGHTS, Colo. (CBS4) - Two used car dealers in Federal Heights are formally charged for theft and forgery after prosecutors say they were part of an odometer rollback scheme. The suspects worked at AFG Auto Sales LLC on Federal Boulevard.

odometer fraud 5vo.transfer_frame_443
(credit: CBS)

Investigators arrested Sedeq Kargar, 45, and Naim Kargar, 54, on Thursday. They say the brothers rolled back 2,683,751 miles in 29 vehicles which were sold to unsuspecting customers. One of the men told investigators they'd take odometers from cars at junkyards and have them installed into cars for sale on their lot.

odometer fraud 10pkg_frame_1508
Sedeq Kargar and Naim Kargar (credit: CBS)

The alleged crimes happened between April of 2015 and August of 2018.

Laurita Pacheco purchased a 2004 Nissan Murano from AFG Auto Sales in 2017.

"He had everything ready, like the emissions test and everything done," she said of the salesman.

odometer fraud 10pkg_frame_218
CBS4's Kelly Werthmann interviews Laurita Pacheco.(credit: CBS)

Yet less than two weeks after driving the Nissan home, Pacheco told CBS4 her new wheels began showing their old age.

"It just stopped all of a sudden," she said. "I'd push on the gas and it would take 10-15 seconds to accelerate. Then I was getting oil maintenance done every two months."

Turns out, her Nissan had traveled 50,000 more miles than what the dashboard displayed. She had no idea until an investigator called her last summer.

odometer fraud 5vo.transfer_frame_280
(credit: CBS)

"I wouldn't have bought the car if I knew it was that much miles on it," Pacheco said. "That's not fair. I'm paying for a car that's not even worth it. It just feels horrible how people can do that to you."

The Kargar brothers are each charged with one count of theft of up to $100,000 from 34 named victims. They also face six counts of forgery.

They both are due in Adams County court in February.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.