Mysuru: Mysuru district police have uncovered a unique used-car fraud racket in which three individuals allegedly cheated unsuspecting buyers by selling vehicles without proper documentation. The Bannur Police Station has so far cracked eight cases linked to the scam and is continuing its investigation into a wider network.
Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi revealed the details to reporters on Thursday, highlighting how the accused targeted customers looking for affordable second-hand vehicles.
Trio involved in organised fraud
The accused have been identified as Ruman Sheriff, Mujahid Pasha, and Shahabuddin. According to police, the trio worked together to purchase used cars, conceal ownership details, and resell them at attractive prices.
Investigators said the accused exploited the trust of buyers by offering vehicles at lower-than-market rates while failing to provide valid registration certificates and mandatory ownership documents.
In several instances, the vehicles were presented as legally transferable despite having incomplete, missing, or allegedly manipulated documentation.
Complaint exposes modus operandi
The fraud came to light after a buyer, Abhishek, filed a complaint with Bannur Police Station. He alleged that the trio had cheated him of ₹5.5 lakh by selling two used cars and failing to provide valid registration papers even months after the transaction.
Following the complaint, police launched an investigation and uncovered what officials described as a systematic modus operandi aimed at making quick profits by deceiving buyers.
Vehicles seized, owners yet to be traced
During the probe, police seized eight cars linked to the racket. These include vehicles registered in Haryana and Delhi, as well as cars sourced from different parts of Karnataka.
SP Mallikarjun Baladandi stated that the original owners of these vehicles are yet to be traced. Notably, no individuals have come forward so far to claim ownership of the seized vehicles.
The accused have reportedly told investigators that they purchased the cars from genuine owners in Bengaluru and resold them in Mysuru through a local garage owner at higher prices. However, police said these claims are still being verified.
Possible links to other crimes
Adding another dimension to the case, Additional SP L Nagesh revealed that one of the vehicles sold by the gang was allegedly used in a theft case in Bengaluru.
Authorities are now probing whether the accused were aware of the vehicle’s involvement in criminal activity. Meanwhile, Bengaluru police have sought details of the vehicles from Mysuru police as part of their investigation.
Probe to widen network
Police officials indicated that they are examining the background and network of the accused to determine whether more individuals were involved or if additional victims were cheated.
The possibility of the racket operating across multiple districts is also being explored, given the inter-state registration of some vehicles.
Conclusion
The busting of the used-car fraud racket by Bannur Police Station highlights the risks faced by buyers in the second-hand vehicle market. Authorities have urged the public to verify all documents thoroughly before purchasing vehicles and to avoid deals that appear unusually cheap, as investigations continue to uncover the full extent of the scam.