Motor theft inter-state gang busted, 4 vehicles recovered

Mumbai: The Wagle Estate police busted an inter-state gang and recovered four vehicles that were sold in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh (MP) after being procured fraudulently by promising owners high lease returns.

The kingpin of the gang used to promise the owner that he/she would get the car on long lease for drop facilities and that their car loan, too, would be repaid.

The accused was identified as Ashfaq Siddique alias Samir, a resident of Nalasopara and a driver by profession who would target owners of tourist vehicles. The accused would lure owners with attractive rentals on his car by putting it on the list of corporates for drops. Siddique would further assure owners that he would help settle the re-maining monthly inst-allments on the car loan through the company.

“This is an inter-state racket where vehicles were stolen and sold in Gujarat or MP after changing the plates and colours. Around 10 cars have been recovered from Siddique so far,” said A.S. Pathan, senior inspector of Wagle Estate police station.

The total recovery is worth around Rs 22 lakh, the police said.

The police began their probe after the owner lodged a complaint against Siddique on October 5, after the accused fraudulently fled with his Innova. The probe led the Wagle Estate police to Siddique.