BKC police have arrested two persons who allegedly cheated people by making fraudulent car deals using the OLX app. The police said that the accused had been identified as Ayaz Sayyed (27) and Arif Sayyed (33).
The duo used to pose as prospective buyers and steal cars without making the payment. The police have received complaints against the duo from places such as Bandra, Sanpada, and Trombay.
Anil Kumbhare, deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Zone VIII, said the accused would set up a meeting with seller at a hotel. After inspecting the papers, the accused would show the seller a fake SMS stating the amount agreed upon had been debited from their account.
The seller would be duped into believing that the transaction had actually taken place. The accused would then take the car for a test drive and flee. In a few instances, instead of an SMS a fraudulent cheque was used to con the seller.
The police said that there were cases where the accused also pretended to be car sellers. After putting up a car for sale at a lucrative price, the accused would pressure the victim to pay a token amount as advance. They would claim that many customers were vying to buy their car and they would lose the deal if the payment was not made immediately.
Mr. Kumbhare said, “Once the buyer deposited the token amount in their account, the accused would make some excuse and leave the place. They would then drive away with the car and the amount paid by the victim.”
The police arrested Ayaz on Friday and held Arif on Sunday. The duo sold the stolen cars out of a second-hand garage in Vikhroli. The cars included a Volkswagon Vento and a Honda Civic. The police have recovered eight stolen cars so far.
Mr. Kumbhare said that inquiries had revealed the involvement of one more person in the scam.
