Accra: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has initiated a taskforce aimed at addressing the importation of stolen vehicles into the country. This new taskforce will engage in intelligence-based operations to identify and impound vehicles suspected of being stolen, as announced by Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director General of the CID, during a press briefing held in collaboration with the Cyber Security Authority.
According to Ghana News Agency, the taskforce has already successfully impounded six vehicles, which include four Toyota Tundras, a Toyota Rav 4, and a Range Rover, all reportedly stolen from Canada. COP Donkor shared insights into the criminals' tactics, revealing that they often use fake identities to rent vehicles and, during the rental period, ship the vehicles out of the country. In some instances, stolen or fake credit card details are utilized to purchase vehicles on hire purchase agreements, and these vehicles are exported before the agreements are terminated.
COP Donkor further explained that criminals cease payment and communication with rental companies once the vehicles are cleared at the port. This delay in payment alerts the rental company too late, as the vehicle would have already been transported out of the original country. Additionally, some vehicles are stolen directly from their owners' premises, after disabling tracking devices, and then shipped to Ghana.
She also highlighted the issue of purchasing and importing luxurious vehicles as a method of laundering illicit profits from criminal activities, such as romance fraud and sextortion. COP Donkor advised that buyers of imported vehicles should not only rely on Customs documents but also demand proof of purchase or ownership from importers to avoid falling victim to such scams. She encouraged potential buyers to seek assistance from the Police if needed.
In support of the taskforce's mission, Mr Divine Selase Agbeti, Director General of the Cyber Security Authority, praised international partners for their assistance in identifying and repatriating suspects involved in these criminal activities.
