A Flint-based automotive seller has been sentenced to 4 years in jail after a buying and selling requirements investigation revealed he offered written-off autos with out informing patrons.
Zana Ahmed Muhammed, 42, was sentenced at Mould Crown Courtroom on April 28 after pleading responsible to fraudulent buying and selling below the Fraud Act 2006.
The case, led by Flintshire County Council’s buying and selling requirements workforce, adopted quite a few complaints from clients throughout the UK.
- Vendor jailed for fraud after promoting insurance coverage write-offs as roadworthy automobiles, leaving patrons out of pocket and in danger
- Pretend identities and altered adverts hid true car histories, court docket hears
- Decide slams seller’s “thorough dishonesty” as victims unknowingly drove the doubtless deadly automobiles
A Flint-based automotive seller has been sentenced to 4 years in jail after a buying and selling requirements investigation revealed he offered written-off autos with out informing patrons.
Zana Ahmed Muhammed, 42, was sentenced at Mould Crown Courtroom on April 28 after pleading responsible to fraudulent buying and selling below the Fraud Act 2006.
The case, led by Flintshire County Council’s buying and selling requirements workforce, adopted quite a few complaints from clients throughout the UK.
Consumers reported they have been unaware the autos they bought from The Previous Ambulance Station on Chester Highway in Flint had been declared insurance coverage write-offs, solely discovering this after buy.
Between March 2021 and June 2023, Muhammed used Fb Market and eBay to promote autos, failing to reveal their write-off standing regardless of being beforehand warned by buying and selling requirements officers.
An in-depth investigation revealed numerous Class N and Class S automobiles had been purchased from salvage auctions, then listed on-line with none indication of their historical past.
In some situations, adverts have been edited post-sale to falsely counsel the disclosure had all the time been made.
A number of autos broke down quickly after buy, leaving patrons with expensive restore payments, typically amounting to hundreds of kilos. Some clients expressed deep concern over security, particularly as they’d transported their kids within the autos.
Prosecutor Lee Reynolds, representing Flintshire Buying and selling Requirements, informed the court docket that Muhammed used false identities, altered on-line profiles, and made excuses when confronted by clients.
Reynolds said that “all roads, after diligent investigation, led again to the defendant” and described repeated and deliberate efforts to mislead patrons.
Decide Timothy Petts, throughout sentencing, emphasised the seriousness of the offence: “The acquisition of a automotive, after a home, is without doubt one of the most vital purchases somebody will make.”
He added that Muhammed “lied concerning the automobiles, as a result of if he informed the reality then individuals wouldn’t purchase them,” and condemned the defendant’s efforts to retroactively alter adverts to seem truthful.
The decide additionally famous Muhammed’s lack of regret and his makes an attempt to shift blame, stating “all I see is additional lies” and that he had acted “totally dishonestly.”
Councillor Chris Bithell commented: “Regardless of being suggested by buying and selling requirements officers, Mr Muhammed continued to fail to declare that the automobiles have been insurance coverage write-offs. While promoting insurance coverage write-offs just isn’t unlawful, withholding this data is against the law and it should be made recognized to potential clients to permit them to make an knowledgeable choice earlier than shopping for a automotive.
An utility below the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) has been to get well funds for compensating victims, with a listening to scheduled for later within the yr.
Login to proceed studying
Or register with AM-online to maintain updated with the newest UK automotive retail business information and perception.
