Mysuru Police Uncover Elaborate Used-Car Fraud Racket
In a significant breakthrough, Mysuru district police have exposed a sophisticated used-car fraud operation that involved an unlikely trio: a fruit-seller, a car mechanic, and a car dealer. The elaborate scheme targeted unsuspecting buyers by selling vehicles without proper documentation, leading to multiple cases of financial cheating.
Modus Operandi of the Fraudulent Trio
According to Mallikarjun Baladandi, Superintendent of Police (SP) for Mysuru, the accused individuals—identified as Ruman Sheriff (the fruit-seller), Mujahid Pasha (the car dealer), and Shahabuddin (the car mechanic)—collaborated to purchase second-hand cars and resell them at attractive prices while concealing ownership details. The Bannur police have already cracked eight cases linked to this racket and are continuing to investigate the broader network.
The trio specifically targeted buyers seeking cheaper vehicles, exploiting their trust by failing to provide valid registration papers and other mandatory records. In numerous instances, vehicles were falsely presented as genuine and legally transferable, even though the documentation was incomplete, missing, or suspected to be manipulated.
Investigation Triggered by Victim Complaint
The investigation was initiated after a buyer named Abhishek approached Bannur police, accusing the trio of cheating him of Rs 5.5 lakh. He alleged that they delivered two used cars without providing valid registration papers, despite promises made months earlier. During the probe, police uncovered the unique modus operandi used by the accused to make quick money by deceiving gullible buyers.
Police have seized eight cars connected to the racket, including vehicles registered in Haryana and Delhi, as well as cars sourced from various parts of Karnataka. The SP noted that the owners of these eight cars, including two registered outside Karnataka, have yet to be traced, and no vehicle owners have approached police regarding their missing vehicles so far.
Ongoing Investigations and Broader Implications
The accused claimed to have purchased the cars from genuine owners in Bengaluru and then sold them to buyers in Mysuru through a local garage owner at inflated prices, but this information requires verification. Additional SP L Nagesh revealed that one car sold by the gang was used to commit a theft in Bengaluru, prompting an investigation to determine if the trio was aware of this criminal activity.
Police are currently verifying the antecedents and network of the accused to identify any additional victims. Bengaluru police have also sought vehicle details from Mysuru police as part of a coordinated effort to unravel the full extent of the fraud. The case highlights the risks associated with purchasing used vehicles without thorough verification of documents and ownership history.
