Sharjah Police arrests a gang that defrauded vehicle sellers with forged receipts

In a qualitative operation carried out in less than 12 hours, the Criminal Investigations Directorate at the Sharjah Police General Headquarters was able to arrest a gang of Asian nationalities who were professional in carrying out fraudulent operations targeting vehicle sellers who used websites and social media platforms. With the aim of seizing their vehicles and obtaining sums of money through deceptive and illegal means.

Regarding the details of the incident, the Director of the Criminal Investigations Directorate, Colonel Dr. Khalifa Balhai, explained that a report was received from one of the dealers stating that he had been subjected to a fraud during which his vehicle was seized after offering it for sale on a website. The suspect contacted the whistleblower and made an attractive offer, and after inspecting the vehicle through photos in order to avoid meeting the seller, he sent him a forged receipt via a social media platform deceiving him to transfer the amount. Agreed upon, claiming that the amount would be deposited later according to the transfer procedures, so the victim – in good faith – delivered the vehicle via a recovery carrier. It later became clear that he was a victim of fraud and theft.

He pointed out that a specialized team of investigators was formed to follow up on the suspects, as evidence revealed that the gang is led by one of its members, who is in charge of developing the plan and distributing tasks, and they intend to target vehicle sellers over the Internet by communicating with them, sending identity cards with the names of other people, and forged transfer receipts after the inspection; To convince them of the seriousness of the purchase, after the agreement, the victim is asked to send the vehicle to a specific location, and to enhance credibility, he is assured that ownership will not be transferred before receiving the amount. Then, they later seize the vehicle, destroy its plates, dispose of it immediately, and cut off communication.

The Director of the Criminal Investigations Directorate added that after completing the procedures of inference, gathering information, and determining the gang’s locations, locations, and movements, a precise field plan was developed that resulted in the arrest of the gang in a record time of no more than 12 hours, and the recovery of the seized vehicle along with three other vehicles that were seized in similar operations.

Colonel Balhai stressed the importance of being cautious, and not being led into any buying or selling transactions that take place outside the official frameworks. Given the legal and fraudulent risks it may entail, he stressed the necessity of using approved platforms and returning to the competent authorities when conducting vehicle sales or transferring ownership. As safe channels that guarantee the rights of all parties and provide a documented record of transactions, he also called on community members to verify the identity of buyers and sellers, and avoid cash transactions or undocumented agreements. Because of the possibility of falling victim to electronic fraud.