MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Pavel Gomez-Deben, 53, was arrested over the weekend in connection with a credit bust out scam targeting the auto finance industry. Authorities say the Miami-Dade man attempted to purchase luxury vehicles using fraudulent income and employment records at several local dealerships, including Mercedes-Benz of Miami.
According to an arrest report from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO), Gomez-Deben tried to purchase a 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 worth more than $175,000. Deputies say the dealership’s general manager noticed red flags in Gomez-Deben’s credit report, including 16 inquiries into his credit and a recent $97,000 purchase of a 2025 GMC Yukon from Lorenzo Buick GMC.
Investigators explained that credit bust out scams often involve inflating income and employment details to secure fraudulent loans. In Gomez-Deben’s case, he falsely claimed to earn $247,000 annually as the president of a company called P&G Truck Lines. However, authorities later discovered the company had been inactive since 2021, and Gomez-Deben now works as a barber.
Upon further investigation, detectives learned that Gomez-Deben had used similar details to obtain financing for the GMC Yukon at Lorenzo Buick GMC through Santander Bank. Concerned about potential fraud, the dealership worked with authorities to arrange a return for the Yukon under the pretense of a service appointment.
Gomez-Deben arrived at the dealership on Saturday afternoon, where MDSO deputies were waiting. He was immediately detained and questioned by the Organized Crimes Bureau. Initially cooperating, Gomez-Deben later requested an attorney, and the interview was halted. During the questioning, he denied applying for credit at Mercedes-Benz of Miami, even though dealership records showed that he had communicated directly with staff from his personal phone number.
Detectives also found that the OnStar system in the GMC Yukon had been tampered with, indicating that Gomez-Deben was attempting to hide the vehicle’s location.
Gomez-Deben now faces multiple charges, including:
Organized fraud of $50,000 or more
First-degree grand theft exceeding $100,000
Second-degree grand theft between $20,000 and $100,000
Two counts each of obtaining a vehicle by trickery and obtaining property through false statements or credit.
As of now, Gomez-Deben’s bond information has not been released. Authorities continue to investigate his activities and possible involvement in similar scams.
