The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has cautioned Ghanaians to exercise vigilance when purchasing vehicles shipped into the country, warning that many of them may have been stolen abroad.
The alert follows EOCO’s ongoing investigation into dancehall artiste Shatta Wale, over his purchase of a Lamborghini Urus allegedly linked to the proceeds of a US$4 million crime involving Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian currently serving a prison sentence in the United States.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, EOCO legal officer Paa Bruce Sam highlighted several red flags buyers should watch out for before committing to purchase a vehicle.
He stressed that the first step is to research the market value of the brand in question.
“If the price being offered is far below the usual range, it’s a strong indication that the vehicle may have been stolen,” he explained.
Mr. Sam further warned against sellers who provide incomplete or unavailable documentation, stressing that excuses or delays in producing proper papers should immediately raise suspicion.
He added that while many imported cars are accident vehicles, some may arrive bearing signs of violent crime.
“If you see gunshot marks, broken mirrors, or anything unusual, it is possible the car was picked from a violent crime scene,” he cautioned.
He also advised buyers to be wary of indirect sellers who cannot be met in person and constantly redirect prospective buyers to third parties.
“Such situations are often linked to stolen cars,” he noted.
EOCO is urging the public to discontinue any transaction once such warning signs are identified and instead submit available documents to its offices for background verification.
According to Mr. Sam, this measure will not only protect buyers from falling victim to fraud but also shield them from potential prosecution under Ghana’s laws on the possession of stolen property.
Source: Gertrude Otchere
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