Gardai Investigate Stolen Vehicle Scam

The Garda Stolen Vehicle Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau are investigating a stolen vehicle scam that came to light after Gardai began investigating why so many Toyota Landcruisers amongst other cars were stolen and not recovered.

The investigation led them to antics of a criminal gang that were stealing cars and jeeps and using the chassis plates, chassis numbers and registration plates from crashed vehicles to hide the identity of the stolen vehicle. More than a 170 Landcruisers were stolen over an 18 month period and only one third recovered.

The body of the stolen Landcruiser would be removed from the chassis fitted to the chassis of a crashed Landcruiser. The chassis plates, registration plates and any other information would be transferred making the vehicle look like a genuine car.

The car would be sold as a legitimate vehicle leaving a hefty profit.

The Gardai raided a number of garage premises and yards around Tipperary, Laois and Wexford.

Mr. Martin Murphy of Salvage Direct one of the largest vehicle salvage operators in the country, based in Nenagh, County Tipperary has confirmed that he or his company had no involvement whatsoever and his company and premises was never under any investigation.

The Criminal Assets Bureau where involved to investigate the financial records of those involved in the scam.

Gardai have advised people buying cars and jeeps from private sellers through the internet, magazines or newspapers to have a suitably qualified motor engineer assessor to inspect the vehicle first.

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