The Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) Traffic Division have seize 18 cars as part of an ongoing investigation into the under declaring of cubic capacity of the car engine in order to pay a lower motor tax rate.
One male was arrested and charged with fraud and theft offences and appeared on the 10th March 2015 at The Criminal Courts of Justice No. 4, and is remanded on continuing bail to appear on the 21st April at the same court.
DMR Traffic have carried out an investigation for the last number of weeks which culminated in the seizure of 11 cars last Saturday, the 7th March, 4 on Sunday, the 8th and 3 on the 10th – total 18.
While this initial stage of the operation involved 18 BMW cars, the scam involves luxury cars from a wide range of manufactures.
Investigations are ongoing, in each case it is suspected that a false declaration was made to the relevant Motor Taxation Office understating the size of the car engine. Each of the cars will now be examined by the Public Service Vehicle Inspector. DMR Traffic will liaise closely with Department of Environment in terms of Motor Tax and Customs and Excise in regards to having the vehicle tested for illegal diesel.
DMR Traffic will also be liaising with the insurance companies involved as this scam raises issues in relation to the validity of insurance, safety of the vehicle due to possible modifications of the engine and lose of revenue to the state in terms of road tax.
Gardai wish to make the following appeal "those involved to immediately regularise the situation with their local tax office, insurance company and An Garda Siochana” (current insurance may not be valid). An Garda Siochana would also remind people purchasing cars to ensure that the Vehicle Licensing Certificate reflects the correct engine size.
Motorists engaging in this type of activity are advised that they are open to having their vehicle detained and being prosecuted in Court.
Photographs of cars seized are available on request to pressoffice@garda.ie and on https://www.facebook.com/angardasiochana
Advice on buying a used car can be found at here
Note
DMR traffic investigation this scam will consider prosecution in relation to the false declaration for road tax under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 - Section 6 - Making gain or causing loss by deception and Section 26 - Using false instrument.
