EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. -- Nineteen people accused of tampering with truck odometers and trading them into three different Illinois auto dealerships at an inflated value will face trial, according to The Associated Press.

In October and November 2003, buyers looking for new trucks traded in what appeared to be low-mileage models at three southern Illinois dealerships. But, according to federal prosecutors, the trucks had actually traveled long distances with their odometers disconnected.

The suspects, who were mostly from Memphis, Tenn., received trade-in values inflated by about $10,000 per vehicle. The scheme has also been carried out in Iowa, Nebraska and Texas.

The total loss to dealerships is estimated at $413,000. Federal authorities were first notified of the alleged plot by investigators in Indiana and National Insurance Crime Bureau.

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