The Mumbai Police Crime Branch seized 16 high-end cars worth Rs 7.3 crore and arrested seven people over the last two weeks for allegedly using GST numbers of individuals with high credit scores to steal premium cars like BMW and Fortuner.
Datta Nalawade, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), said the accused, who live in and around Mumbai, would search online for the GST numbers of people with high CIBIL scores. “Using this, they would obtain the PAN of these individuals and make duplicate PAN and Aadhaar cards in their names using photographs of the gang’s members,” he said.
The accused had also taken a room on rent in case of bank verification, the DCP added. Since the CIBIL scores were good, the loans for high-end vehicles would be granted. The accused then allegedly changed the engine and chassis number of these cars, made duplicate RC books, and sold the vehicles in neighbouring states before fleeing.
Over the past three years, the accused are suspected to have stolen over 35 cars in this manner. DCP Nalawade said four of the seven arrested men have a criminal record.
An officer said the scam came to light when they were investigating the theft of a Mahindra Thar, worth Rs 16 lakh, from Vikhroli in 2023.
Source from: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/gst-number-credit-scores-premium-cars-bmw-9855427/
