FRSC Foils Vehicle Fraud in Gombe, Recovers Car Stolen Since 2021

FRSC Foils Vehicle Fraud in Gombe, Recovers Car Stolen Since 2021

By Jamila Muhammad, Gombe

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intercepted an attempted vehicle fraud at its National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) office in Gombe, leading to the recovery of a car reported missing over four years ago.

The development was made known in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Osondu Ohaeri.

Mr. Ohaeri explained that the incident occurred on April 16 during a routine number plate revalidation exercise when an applicant sought to convert a vehicle’s registration documents. He said officials became suspicious after detecting inconsistencies in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) provided.

According to him, a detailed verification process exposed irregularities in the records, prompting officers to carry out a physical inspection of the vehicle. The inspection further confirmed discrepancies between the VIN documents and the chassis engraving.

He added that operatives deployed the NVIS database to trace the vehicle’s original owner, identified as Mrs. Cecilia Duru, who was subsequently contacted.

“The rightful owner confirmed that the vehicle had been stolen in Port Harcourt in 2021 and provided credible documents to support her claim,” Ohaeri said.

He noted that the individual who presented the vehicle insisted it was purchased through a third party, a claim that raised further suspicion among officials.

The FRSC spokesperson said the corps acted promptly by coordinating necessary actions that led to the recovery of the vehicle, preventing it from being illegally transferred or concealed.

He emphasised that the successful operation highlights the growing efficiency of the NVIS platform and the corps’ strengthened intelligence capabilities in tackling vehicle-related crimes.

Ohaeri advised prospective car buyers to thoroughly verify ownership details before completing transactions, urging the public to rely on official platforms to avoid being defrauded.

He also reiterated the FRSC’s commitment to enhancing transparency, improving accountability, and ensuring safety on Nigerian roads.