News
Vehicle buyers taken for a ride on doctored registration papers
During a routine check recently, an officer of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office, detected a case of a vehicle with two different registration books and two different owners. Further inquiries revealed that the data and the rubber stamps used on the books were identical but one of the signatures was forged. It finally transpired that the vehicle had been stolen and sold to a third party.
Police officers studying the forged items. Pix by Suranga Rajanayaka
Early last week, Gampola police checked a luxury car heading towards Nawalapitiya from Kandy. The driver produced a photocopy of the revenue licence which had the rubber stamp of a leading finance company. On scrutiny it was revealed the revenue licence had been altered by the company renting the vehicle.
Gampola police are now investigating the finance company that resorted to forgery.
In another case, officials received a complaint from a vehicle owner that his attempt to extend the validity of his revenue licence had been rejected, as his vehicle’s data was not with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Inquiries revealed that the vehicle had been stolen and its number plate given to another vehicle. However, the sticker provided by the RMV differed significantly with the original.
These are some of the cases where vehicle registration papers are forged for various reasons. RMV Commissioner General S.H. Harischandra told the Sunday Times that those buying vehicles need to be vigilant to ensure they are not victims of a fraudulent transaction.
“The prospective buyer needs to ascertain whether the information on the registration papers tallies with the vehicle, and if in doubt, the buyer could provide the available information and obtain a document from the RMV, to establish that the vehicle is genuine,” he said. ”Buyers should ensure there are no problems regarding registration before the transaction is completed,” he said.
The forged documents that were discovered on a routine check
If in doubt, the vehicle could be checked by RMV officials, and if any fraud is detected, the vehicle will be de-registered. “The buyer can lose his money, if a fraud is detected after the sale of the vehicle has been completed,” he added. He said that most vehicles which have problems are those used at ‘rent-a-car’ places, adding that, comparatively, vehicles sold at car sales centres present fewer problems.
Mr. Harischandra said that vehicle owners trying to sell their vehicles should not give the registration papers to third parties, as in most instances they prepare forged documents using the originals. A senior traffic police officer said that buyers should seek a knowledgeable person’s assistance to check the chassis and engine numbers before purchasing a vehicle.
“Before purchasing a vehicle, it would be advisable to check with the RMV if any illegal acts had been resorted to by using this vehicle, because, if such vehicles are purchased, the new owner will not be able to use it,” the officer said. He said that the Colombo Crime Division and the Mirihana Division have made a series of detections of vehicles sold on forged documents.