Maryland Brothers Caught Manipulating Car Odometers

In a recent case in Maryland, two brothers, Kamal Khalid and Fnu Shahrukh, were convicted of participating in an odometer rollback scheme, where they altered the recorded mileage on used vehicles to deceive buyers. Chief Judge George L. Russell III sentenced Khalid to 36 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, while Shahrukh received an 18-month prison term. Both brothers were also ordered to pay approximately $1.2 million in restitution to the victims of their scheme.

According to U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes, the brothers targeted unsuspecting individuals looking to purchase reliable used cars, selling vehicles with significantly reduced mileages without disclosing the true high mileage. This resulted in buyers overpaying for vehicles that were well past their expected lifespan, posing potential safety risks due to neglected maintenance and worn-out components.

By altering the odometers of high-mileage vehicles purchased from auto auctions and falsifying mileages on titles to reflect lower figures, the brothers were able to deceive consumers into paying inflated prices. On average, they reduced mileages by 124,000 miles, leading buyers to unknowingly purchase vehicles with compromised safety and mechanical integrity.

Jonathan Morrison, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, emphasized the seriousness of odometer fraud, highlighting its financial impact on consumers and the safety hazards it poses on the roads. He encouraged consumers to be vigilant and informed about identifying and preventing odometer fraud before making a purchase to safeguard their interests.

In their guilty pleas, Khalid and Shahrukh admitted to engaging in the scheme between 2016 and 2019, selling vehicles with false mileage readings to unsuspecting buyers through various means. The U.S. Attorney’s Office commended NHTSA for investigating the case and the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration for their assistance in prosecuting the brothers.

Consumers with information about odometer tampering were urged to contact NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline for assistance. To learn more about preventing odometer fraud and protecting oneself as a buyer, resources and prevention tips are available on NHTSA’s website. It is essential for consumers to be aware and informed to avoid falling victim to deceptive practices like odometer fraud, as highlighted in the case of the Maryland brothers involved in this scheme.