Scammers punished after major fraud practice causing 'financial hit' to drivers is uncovered - 'Dangerous'

Three drivers were found guilty of fraudulent practice with two of them being sentenced to two years' imprisonment suspended for two years.

The drivers were also ordered to complete 200 hours of community service for winding back more than two million miles on 23 high-mileage vehicles. CCTV footage revealed that more than 100,000 miles were wiped from 10 of the vehicles.

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The motorists were found to have purchased vehicles at auction for a lower price and then sold them online once their mileage had been modified.

Kent Trading Standards launched Operation Blackboard in 2018 after receiving reports of numerous older vehicles being sold at a much higher price.

Kent County Council Cabinet Member Clair Bell, said: "I commend the team for their extensive investigation into a complex web of criminality and deception, requiring significant endurance as they pieced together a shocking picture of systematic mileage adjustment on an industrial scale."

The most recent cases of vehicle clocking were uncovered through CCTV, fake logbooks and MOT certificates as well as "ringing" kits which are used to change the identity of a vehicle by removing the chassis number and generating new number plates.

In total, the investigation team gathered and cross-referenced information relating to more than 200 vehicles handled by the group.

Bell added: "The Trading Standards' team do not commit to an investigation of this nature lightly, but they did so based on the harm that was being caused in this case."

She explained that the criminals were knowingly allowing people to drive away in "potentially dangerous" cars and vans. "The new owners took a financial hit, unknowingly paying too much to begin with and many then having huge repair bills on top," Bell said.

Meanwhile, Clive Phillips, Operations Manager for Complex Investigations at Kent Trading Standards, commented: "This successful prosecution is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Trading Standards team.

"We are committed to protecting consumers and legitimate businesses, ensuring that those who engage in fraudulent activities are brought to justice.

"Kent County Council remains dedicated to safeguarding the public from deceptive practices and will continue to work tirelessly to uphold the law."

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair for the National Trading Standards, warned that vehicle clocking is a serious crime that puts "lives at risk as well as defrauding customers out of their hard-earned cash".

In one case, a driver who bought a 64-plate black Volkswagen Golf from the group paid £2,000 more for the vehicle which had 44,000 miles on the clock, 102,000 lower than the true figure. The driver stated that there was "a big financial loss" caused by the fraudulent practice with him urging people tocheck before buying.

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He said: "My message to other people is not to rush into buying even when it seems like a very good deal. There may be a reason for that. It’s worth carrying out checks with the main dealership."