Police warning after 'cloned' car sales double

Police are urging people to be vigilant after an increase in cases of cloned vehicle fraud.

Avon and Somerset Police said they had seized at least one cloned vehicle every week last year, more than double the total from 2023.

"Cloned" vehicles are stolen cars that criminals give an identity that matches those of another, genuine vehicle, before selling them on privately through online platforms.

"We're seeing false VIN numbers, replacement labels and even reprogrammed electronic systems so that everything appears legitimate when checked, in some cases, even the locks and keys have been replaced," said Avon and Somerset Police's stolen vehicle examiner Matt Neale.

"Because of this, standard online checks can appear completely normal, as they relate to the genuine vehicle whose identity has been copied," he added.

The crime is sometimes referred to as "car ringing" and criminals have even been known to go as far as engraving new serial numbers onto stolen vehicles.

Vehicle theft is on an upward trend nationally, with an 8% increase in incidents being recorded between 2022 and 2023 and a car estimated to be stolen every 10 minutes, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Access to sophisticated printing equipment has also made counterfeiting authentic-looking documentation and stickers much easier, making cloning a more viable option for thieves.

Once a vehicle is identified as a clone, it will be seized by police and cannot be returned to the buyer, since they are not the legal owner, the force explained.

Many people who inadvertently privately buy a cloned vehicle in good faith are unable to recover their money, making them a victim of fraud.

In some cases, the owner of the genuine vehicle may also receive penalty notices or be linked to offences they did not commit after their vehicle's identity has been cloned.

"That's why it's so important that buyers take the time to check both the vehicle and the seller carefully," said Neale.

"If something doesn't feel right, or the deal seems too good to be true, don't be afraid to walk away," he added.

Avon and Somerset Police say that people buying second hand cars should look out for a few signs that could suggest the vehicle they are buying is cloned.

These include unusually low prices, only one key for the car being available, No V5C log book and sellers being unable to provide ID, proof of ownership or insisting on cash payments.

"If it seems too good to be true, it generally is," said Neale.

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