Ghana's fight against car theft has taken a new turn, with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) providing the public with six key indicators to help them avoid purchasing a stolen vehicle.

Discussions about stolen vehicles have become rife due to collaborations between the FBI and EOCO to trace and confiscate cars stolen in the US and shipped to Ghana to be sold at cheap prices to enrich carjacking syndicates.

Recently, the Ghana Police Service announced a special unit to tackle the crime trend and collaborations have resulted in the seizure of over 100 vehicles and a number of arrests.

But the question on the minds of many car dealers and the public is how they would be able to identify a stolen car because of the complex nature of the matter.

It would be recalled how Wanderlust Ghana, a travel group known for its ambitious road adventures, had to suspend a 30,000-kilometre adventure journey in November 2024 over a similar issue.

The vehicles, a 2016 Lexus RX 350 and a 2018 Toyota Tacoma, were flagged as stolen upon the group’s arrival in Congo, prompting the decision to pause their expedition.

The group expressed its willingness to cooperate fully with authorities to resolve the issue and clear its image after a representative insisted that due diligence was followed before the cars were purchased.

This highlights the complexities of the stolen cars issue and the high probability of innocent victims ending up as beneficiaries of a crime.

The discussion took centre stage on JoyNews' AM Show today, August 26, with EOCO's Head of Legal, Leo Antony Siamah, explaining how to navigate the issue as a car buyer.

It comes as authorities report a significant increase in vehicle fraud, with sophisticated criminals using online platforms to sell illicitly obtained cars to unsuspecting buyers.

EOCO's list of red flags serves as a crucial guide for anyone in the market for a used vehicle.

1. High-Value Vehicle Brands Are Prime Targets

A significant red flag is the type of vehicle itself.

Mr Siamah notes that certain luxury and high-value brands are disproportionately targeted by thieves due to their high resale value and the low resources required to steal them.

Specific models mentioned as being prone to theft include the Honda CR-V, Dodge Ram, Ford F-150, Range Rover, and the BMW X7 and X8 series.

2. Evasive or Uncooperative Sellers

When a seller avoids answering questions about the vehicle's history or is reluctant to provide personal identification, this should be an immediate cause for concern.

A legitimate seller should be forthcoming with details about the vehicle's past and their own identity to build trust with a potential buyer.

3. Irregular or Tampered Vehicle Documentation

The authenticity of a vehicle's paperwork is a crucial indicator.

The EOCO official advises potential buyers to carefully inspect documents such as the title and customs declaration forms. Red flags include any signs that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) has been altered, deleted, or tampered with on these documents.

4. Inconsistencies In The Vehicle's Physical State

A physical inspection of the car can reveal signs of theft. One key indicator is a missing rear-view mirror, as a GPS tracking device is often housed in this location. More critically, the VIN numbers found in multiple locations on the vehicle (e.g., on the dashboard, the engine area, and the seatbelt side) must be consistent. Any discrepancy among these numbers is a major red flag.

5. Unrealistic Pricing

A vehicle's price that is significantly below its market value is a major warning sign. The speaker provides an example: a car with a market value of $400,000 to $500,000 being offered for sale at $100,000. Such a drastic price difference is often too good to be true and suggests the vehicle may be stolen.

5. Cross-check with authorities

Mr Siamah advised the public to contact relevant authorities, such as EOCO or INTERPOL, for clearance before going ahead to buy cars. Even though the request might come at a cost, he believes it is worth it to avoid losing huge money spent on a vehicle that might end up being confiscated. He said the buyer could also end up in jail because it is a crime to purchase stolen items. There are free websites to verify, such as VinReportsPro, VinCheckUp and EpicVIN, but the lawyer explained they may not be as comprehensive as compared to official agencies.

Steps To Take After a Suspicious Purchase

If a person suspects they have purchased a stolen vehicle, the immediate and most critical action is to contact law enforcement.

Mr Siamah specifically recommends reporting the incident to EOCO or INTERPOL and providing them with all available details about the vehicle and the seller.

It is also advised to halt any further transactions with the seller at that point.

He acknowledged that sometimes an innocent person can unknowingly buy a stolen car, as there can be a delay between when a vehicle is stolen and when it is officially reported, highlighting a systemic challenge in checking these transactions.