Gardai’s Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) Traffic Division has seized 18 BMW cars as part of its continuing investigation into an alleged scam to defraud Revenue Commissioners by under-declaring of engine size. Gardai or Garda Síochána is the national police service of Ireland.
According to reports, hundreds of luxury cars have been fraudulently registered depicting lower engine capacities to cut down tax and insurance charges. Gardai has so far confiscated 18 BMWs, but said it has identified other falsely registered Range Rovers, Mercedes, Lexus, Volkswagens and Jaguars.
Reports said that the Exchequer loses more than Euro 2 million per year due to the car registration malpractice. Often, owners would illegally declare vehicles with 3.2 engines as 1.9 engines, saving them up to Euro 1,200 annually.
Gardai has called for honest declaration of the size of vehicle engines and has urged owners not to use false documentation and fake garage stamps. It has warned motorists that misleading Revenue and insurers will led to voiding of their insurance policies in the case of an accident. On top of that, violators may face up to five years imprisonment.
According to Gardai, the scam is widespread and does not involve any gang or vehicle distributor. Motorists, as well as car repair garages and motortrade companies, act on their own volition.
In a search operation Tuesday, March 10, Gardai arrested one man and charged him with fraud and theft offences over an alleged involvement with the luxury car fraud. He has been remanded on continuing bail until the next court hearing on April 21. Further arrests are likely, Gardai revealed.
Gardai, through its DMR Traffic Divison, has carried out three raids, and has seized 11 vehicles on March 7, four on March 6, and three on March 10. It said that the 18 confiscated cars are subject for examination to determine traces of illegal diesel.
