Edmonton police are actively seeking additional complainants after charging a 39-year-old man in connection with an alleged fraudulent scheme involving vehicles with manipulated odometers. The investigation centers on cars sold through Facebook Marketplace that had their mileage readings altered by hundreds of thousands of kilometers before being resold at inflated prices.
Investigation Details and Alleged Scheme
Officers initiated their investigation on March 13 after receiving a complaint from an individual who had purchased a vehicle through Facebook Marketplace. The buyer subsequently discovered that the vehicle's odometer appeared to have been tampered with, resulting in them paying substantially more than the vehicle's actual market value based on its true mileage.
According to police investigators, the alleged scheme involved purchasing multiple high-mileage vehicles through Facebook Marketplace beginning in March 2025. The suspect then reportedly altered the odometers by reducing the displayed mileage by hundreds of thousands of kilometers before reselling the vehicles at significantly higher prices using a fake Facebook account.
False Documentation Provided to Buyers
Police revealed that falsified CARFAX reports were also supplied to potential buyers to create the illusion that the vehicles had substantially lower mileage than their actual readings. This deceptive practice made the cars appear more valuable and reliable than they truly were, misleading consumers about the vehicles' condition and history.
Police Advice for Vehicle Buyers
Constable Amelia Towns of the Edmonton Police Service's southwest patrol branch emphasized the importance of thorough research before purchasing used vehicles. "When you are making a significant purchase like a vehicle, it is always a good idea to do your research first," Towns stated in an official police release.
She urged potential buyers to verify vehicle histories through multiple sources and to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, particularly when purchasing through online marketplaces where documentation can be more easily falsified.
Suspect Charged and Vehicle Details
Following their investigation, police have arrested and charged Harmandeep Singh Bindra, 39, with fraud and uttering a forged document. While investigators have identified two complainants thus far, they strongly believe additional victims may exist who have not yet come forward.
Police indicate that Bindra primarily focused on buying and selling Nissan Altimas, Honda Accords, and Honda CR-Vs. Investigators note that he may have operated under various aliases including Hary Smith, Harry Singh, Harmandeep Singh, and Gurdev during the alleged fraudulent activities.
How to Report Potential Victimization
Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by this alleged odometer fraud scheme is encouraged to contact Edmonton police directly at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online through p3tips.com.
The Edmonton Police Service continues to investigate the full scope of the alleged fraud and encourages anyone with relevant information to come forward, regardless of how minor they believe their experience might be. This case highlights the importance of consumer vigilance when purchasing vehicles through online platforms and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat automotive fraud schemes targeting unsuspecting buyers.
