An Atlanta car dealer was arrested after police discovered he allegedly altered vehicle odometers to upsell used cars, a scheme made infamous by the hit film and book Matilda. Albert Constantin, 32, was taken into custody on Monday and charged with four counts of tampering with odometers to sell vehicles for more than their actual value, according to the Marietta Police Department.
The crime echoes a comedic scene in the 1996 movie Matilda, adapted from Roald Dahl's 1988 novel. In the story, Matilda's father, Harry Wormwood—played by Danny DeVito—teaches his children how to sell defective cars. An odometer measures a vehicle's mileage; tampering with it is illegal and tricks buyers into thinking they are purchasing a car with lower mileage and higher worth.
Authorities believe Constantin has been tampering with used vehicles for at least the past two years. Police say he used fake identification and out-of-state vehicle titles to convince prospective buyers. In one instance, he allegedly faked a Carfax report. It remains unclear how many individuals may have purchased a used car from him during that period.
One woman named Stacie told Fox 5 Atlanta that she bought a Chrysler Pacifica from Constantin on Facebook Marketplace. She believed the odometer read around 84,000 miles, but after completing the sale at a park, she checked the Carfax and discovered the vehicle had 190,000 miles. 'There was some anger. I mean, we both fussed, and probably cussed, and raged a little bit,' Stacie said. 'I'm glad that he's definitely not going to be able to do this to anybody else, and I really hope that he learns a lesson.'
Another alleged victim, who did not reveal her name, told WSB-TV that someone would have to be 'evil' to initiate such a scheme. She added that she had not checked the mileage on the title and left with the vehicle. Police urge the public to pay for a Carfax report or research a vehicle before purchasing.
Odometer fraud is a growing concern in the US. Carfax data from late 2025 found that around 2.45 million cars on the road were suspected of having had their odometers rolled back, a 14 percent increase from 2024. Constantin was also transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, though it is unclear if he is in the US illegally. He has not yet entered a plea. If convicted, he faces fines up to $250,000 or up to three years in prison.
Georgians who have purchased a vehicle from Constantin are encouraged to contact the Marietta Police Department with more information.
