As part of Operation Thor, an intelligence led operation was put in place by Gardaí targeting the selling of stolen cars which had been advertised online.
The operation was collaboration between a number of units including Detectives from Crumlin, the Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau and the Dublin Co-ordination & Tasking Unit.
On 15th November 2016, one man aged in his thirties was arrested in Rush, Co. Dublin and a stolen Volvo car recovered. The man is currently being detained at Crumlin Garda Station as part of this investigation under the provisions of section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 as amended.
Gardaí would like to warn the public that this type of scam as sophisticated with cloned registration plates on the stolen car matching another vehicle of the same type. Gardaí are asking persons thinking of buying second hand cars to exercise caution and carry out due diligence before parting with their money.
Potential buyers should be wary of meeting sellers in public places other than at the home of the seller. All documents should be thoroughly checked including ensuring that the vehicle identification number (VIN; a 17 digit unique alpha numeric code) matches the original registration document. Other warning signs may include the seller not having two original vehicle keys or being asked to change the arranged meeting place at short notice.
