Beware of fraudulent motor vehicle documents - authorities

An average of one complaint per week is reportedly made to the Revenue Protection Division (RPD) by persons who have been on the wrong end of fraudulent motor vehicles transfers.

Commissioner of the Revenue Protection Division, Major Johanna Lewin, told THE WEEKEND STAR that she has noticed an increase in the number of reports of fraudulent documents being used for the sale and transfer of motor vehicles.

"We get reports of fraudulent insurance cover note presented to tax admin to register vehicles that otherwise couldn't be registered, stolen insurance certificate which the details are then changed to match whatever vehicles they want it to match, fraudulent motor vehicle tittles and fraudulent driver's licenses done to a standard that if we were not versed in knowing what they look like, we would think that they were real," Lewin said.

Correctional officers

Yesterday the Major Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Agency (MOCA) also reported that two correctional officers have been arrested and charged over the last week for obtaining money by means of false pretence.

MOCA said one of the officers is Randy Palmer, who is attached to the Tower Street Correctional Centre.

Palmer was arrested and charged with two counts of obtaining money by means of false pretence and one count of conspiracy to defraud.

The crimes were allegedly committed between November 29 and December 9.

Meanwhile, Lewin is urging the public to check with the insurance company when buying motor vehicles.

"People are at risk when you have vehicles that are not properly insured because you can be in an accident with motor vehicle and the other party is not insured, even if they are dead wrong you are left in a spot."