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Car stolen goods in Cologne: Police stop fraudsters with fake SUVs!
Police stop suspected car thieves in Cologne and Düsseldorf. Warnings about fraud risks when purchasing vehicles online.
Car stolen goods in Cologne: Police stop fraudsters with fake SUVs!
A suspected car stealer was caught red-handed in Cologne on Monday evening. A 44-year-old wanted to offer a VW Tayron for sale, but the police intervened in good time when attentive witnesses, including a 34-year-old prospective buyer, reported the suspicious attempt to sell. During the inspection it turned out that the vehicle had fake license plates and documents. The SUV had previously been used as a rental car in Hamburg and was now to be sold in Cologne. The 44-year-old seller had also provided false personal details and he also had an outstanding arrest warrant for endangering road traffic. He is now in police custody.
However, the case has another interesting twist. A 21-year-old accomplice showed up at a police station in Düsseldorf to report a theft. But his contradictory statements piqued the interest of officials and led to further investigations. Now he is also facing legal consequences because he is accused of faking a crime. In this context, the police have once again warned: Anyone who buys vehicles via online platforms should be extremely careful, especially when making cash purchases at private addresses, as the rheinische Anzeigeblatt reports.
The risks when purchasing a vehicle
But it's not just Cologne Airport where there are problems with stolen cars. A few months ago, in November 2024 to be precise, a 35-year-old suspected fence was arrested in Cologne-Porz. He had offered an Audi Q2 on an online platform, but a potential buyer informed the police because he was suspicious. Civil investigators followed up on the tip and found forged documents and two cell phones in his possession. This man also had no permanent residence in Germany, which made the investigation even more difficult. The police strongly recommend that you find out about the origin and authenticity of the documents before purchasing a vehicle. Any information should be reported to the police immediately.
The ADAC also warns urgently. In addition to the fraud schemes already mentioned, such as the so-called “escrow account” or forged vehicle documents, there are many other cases that have already left buyers on the internet market at risk. Buyers should especially be wary of tempting offers that seem too good to be true. The ADAC also recommends not making down payments and checking the seller carefully - the ADAC info page also offers valuable tips and checklists.
What is usually well-intentioned, namely finding a bargain on the Internet, can quickly become a real problem. This makes it all the more important to keep your eyes open and, if in doubt, ask too much. Ultimately, this can not only save money, but also nerves.