Scammers, ‘disinterested cops’ adding to vehicle theft victims’ miseries

As if being deprived of one’s car was not enough, victims of vehicle thefts are being targeted by scammers demanding money in exchange for returning their cars, but apparently these criminals are not in possession of and do not have access to the stolen vehicles.

Moreover, some police officers have been allegedly showing a lack of interest in investigating vehicle theft cases and recovering the stolen properties until motivated by the payment of Kharcha-paani (expenses).

Following the increase in vehicle thefts in Karachi, a new scam is being reported by the victims: members of organised criminal groups contact vehicle theft victims using unknown or fake numbers to demand money in exchange for returning their stolen vehicles.

To make the victims believe they have their vehicles, the callers share the car engine and chassis numbers as well as images of the vehicles to the car owners. A victim said they ask for Rs50,000 to be transferred to their branchless banking service account. He explained that he had bought his car after selling his wife’s jewellery, but now the vehicle has been stolen and some unidentified persons are demanding money from him for its return.

He said the Anti-Vehicle Lifting Cell (AVLC) has the CCTV camera footage of the theft and the phone numbers of the suspects demanding money, but no progress has been made in his case. The suspect demanding money has opened an account under the name of Shahrukh Azeem Khan, he added.

AVLC chief SSP Arif Aslam Rao confirmed that such scams have been happening, saying that similar fraudulent activities had been reported in the past. This is not the first time such a scam has occurred, he added.

Earlier, families have received phone calls informing them that one of their family members was in police custody, at the CIA Centre, etc. They were then asked to send money for their release.

People have fallen victim to such frauds in the past. Similarly, now individuals associated with organised criminal groups obtain details of snatched and stolen cars through various means, including social media.

Then they contact the vehicle theft victims via social media, instant messaging services or other communication channels, informing them that if they want their vehicles back, they should pay certain amounts in exchange for them. The AVLC has urged people not to fall victim to such frauds and scams, and has advised them to immediately contact the AVLC if they receive any such call.

SSP Rao said that earlier, when he was heading the Special Investigation Unit, while working on organised crime, they found that the perpetrators mostly had connections in interior Sindh or Punjab and were using fake IDs or numbers.

He said that it is probably no different this time, adding that they have already begun work on these scams. He also said that three or four complainants have already approached them regarding such scams, and they have initiated action. He expressed confidence that the gangs would be traced soon. However, he emphasised the importance of people staying vigilant and contacting the AVLC if they get any such call or message.

Regarding reports circulating on social media alleging that AVLC officials demand bribes from complainants and are not taking interest in recovering stolen vehicles, SSP Rao firmly rejected such claims.

He said that no such report has been received by them, and if any complaint is received, it would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Victim Ali Raza, who used to drive his Honda City for a ride-hailing service, had his vehicle stolen from outside his house in Gulshan-e-Hadeed on April 21. He said he immediately registered a complaint at the Steel Town police station, and the case was later transferred to the AVLC Bin Qasim. Raza claimed that the same day an AVLC officer came for a spot visit and demanded Rs3,000 for the case file. Since the victim only had Rs2,000 on him at the time, he gave it to the officer. He regrets not being able to pay the full amount because no AVLC officer returned.

He lamented that he spends his entire day either at the AVLC office or in constantly contacting them over the phone. He shares all the evidence, information, calls and messages related to his car with the police, but they seem disinterested in taking action.

Frustrated, he said he had become unemployed and was feeling powerless against both criminals and the police. He also criticised the police for not using the CCTV camera footage from the Safe City project to track down the thieves. It is pertinent to mention here that a few years ago unidentified suspects used to steal original vehicle registration number plates and leave behind their contact information, demanding payment for their return.