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ROCKY MOUNT – Following an investigation of North Carolina-licensed independent auto dealers in both Greenville and Washington, agents with the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles License and Theft Bureau filed the following charges on Feb. 6:

• Saher Rafiq Ashkar –
  • 17 counts of NCGS 20-343 Odometer Fraud
  • 17 counts of NCGS 20-71(a) Title Fraud
  • 17 counts of NCGS 14-100 Obtaining Property by False Pretense

• Mohamad Rafiq Ashkar –
  • 17 counts of NCGS 20-343 Odometer Fraud
  • 17 counts of NCGS 20-71(a) Title Fraud
  • 17 counts of NCGS 14-100 Obtaining Property by False Pretense

The initial investigation centered around the process used by individuals to roll back odometers in several vehicles of a period from March 2021 through June 2023.

The dealerships involved were Cars on Tenth, Inc. in Greenville, and Carolina Auto Locators and Washington Imports in Washington.

Investigators determined there were 17 vehicles and victims involved.  The suspects conspired to rollback a total of 2.4 million miles on the vehicles resulting in nearly $250,000 in total losses to the victims.

The NCDMV License and Theft Bureau is continuing to work with the Pitt County District Attorney’s office on victims’ rights and prosecution. The Bureau is also working to initialize civil actions to take the license to operate the Cars on Tenth, Inc. dealership and to close that dealership.  Carolina Auto Locators and Washington Imports are already closed.

Any additional persons who believe they may have been a victim can file a claim with the DMV License and Theft Bureau.