Illegal Vehicle Sales and Rolled-back Odometers Nets Curbsider 450 Days in Jail

TORONTO, Jan. 15, 2016 /CNW/ - Mehran Amini was sentenced to 450 days incarceration after being found guilty on two counts of curbsiding (acting as a dealer without registration) contrary to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act and one count of engaging in an unfair business practice (related to odometer tampering) in contravention of the Consumer Protection Act. "This is the longest sentence handed out in Ontario for illegal vehicle sales," explained Michael Rothe, Director of Legal Services for OMVIC, Ontario's vehicle sales regulator. "And it sends an important and strong message to those who would prey on Ontario consumers."

Amini was charged when OMVIC Investigators discovered he'd brought thirty vehicles, predominantly late model pick up trucks with high mileage, from Western Canada to Ontario; rolled back the trucks' odometers; and then sold them to unsuspecting consumers.

"This individual is responsible for a great deal of consumer harm," explained Larry Edgar, OMVIC Acting Director of Investigations. "When the true history of the vehicles became known, the purchasers found themselves with trucks worth far less than they had paid and many faced unexpected expensive repairs (due to the high mileages), some of which had crippling financial implications for the buyers."

In passing judgment, the court agreed. Justice Maimun Gilani described the consumers who'd purchased vehicles from Amini as "victims," and found the accused showed no remorse. Justice Gilani also noted Amini's hostile and offensive behaviour towards OMVIC Investigators. 

Evidence presented in court showed Amini placed ads in online marketplaces posing as a private seller, though he told some buyers he was a dealer, and that he used multiple aliases. Records show these are not the first curbsider convictions for Amini; he has been charged by OMVIC and convicted on two other occasions for the same behaviour. In the first, he and his company were fined $393,000 for selling 42 vehicles with rolled-back odometers (Amini has appealed this conviction); and he is scheduled to appear in court March 21 for sentencing on the latest charges.

About Curbsiding

The Motor Vehicle Dealers Act requires ALL vehicle dealers and salespeople to be registered with OMVIC. Curbsiders are illegal, unlicensed dealers. Just as curbsiders commonly misrepresent themselves – often posing as private sellers – they frequently misrepresent the vehicles they sell; many are accident-damaged, rebuilt write-offs or odometer-tampered.

"It is vital car buyers understand when they're protected, and when they're not," states Terry O'Keefe, Director of Communications and Education for OMVIC. "Since curbsiders are not registered with OMVIC, consumers who purchase from them are deemed to have conducted a transaction with a private seller and are therefore not protected by Ontario's consumer protection laws and do not have access to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund."

While curbsiders commonly pose as private sellers, many sell from small automotive-related businesses like repair centres or body shops. If a consumer is unsure whether a business selling vehicles is actually registered, they should conduct a search on OMVIC's website, or ask to see the seller's OMVIC licence. If they are unable to produce one, walk away!

How to Spot a Curbsider

Curbsiders often use one or more of the following tactics to dupe car buyers:

• Vehicle not registered to seller or only registered to seller for short period
• Vehicle priced below market value
• Doesn't provide the mandatory Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP), or provides a UVIP that has been tampered with (e.g. lien or mileage info removed) or with missing pages
• Doesn't provide vehicle history report (CarProof or CARFAX)
• Refuses inspection by purchaser's mechanic
• Vehicle often not plated and/or uninsured; therefore test-drive is not possible
• Refuses to provide receipt or proof of purchase

To report a suspected curbsider, call 1-888-NO-CURBS (662-8727) or email [email protected].

About OMVIC

OMVIC (Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council) administers and enforces the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act on behalf of the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. OMVIC maintains a fair and informed vehicle sales marketplace by regulating dealers and salespersons, regularly inspecting Ontario's 8,000 dealerships and 26,000 salespeople, maintaining a complaint line for consumers and conducting investigations and prosecutions of industry misconduct and illegal sales (curbsiding). OMVIC is also responsible for administering the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund on behalf of its Board of Trustees.

SOURCE Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC)

For further information: Terry O'Keefe, Director of Communications, 416-226-4500 x3525, [email protected], www.omvic.on.ca; Farah Mohammed, Communications Officer, 416-226-4500 x3174, [email protected], www.omvic.on.ca; Hassaan Shahid, Communications Officer, 416-226-4500 x3185, [email protected], www.omvic.on.ca