SoCal Ring Gets Busted for Allegedly Profiting From Cheating Smog Checks

Twelve participants used a device that made polluting vehicles look as though they passed the state smog test.

Alex Gromov puts a probe into the tailpipe of a car as he performs a smog check at Marinwood Smog Check December 12, 2007 in San Rafael, California. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Members of a Southern California ring were charged with conspiracy to cheat vehicle smog checks, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced April 4 in a statement.

Twelve are now facing federal charges for using devices called “OBDNators” between October 2015 and last month to make polluting vehicles appear as if they had passed California smog inspection tests.