As you are all aware, last week a video was recorded and shared on various digital platforms, claiming one of the used car dealers, Mukasa Hannington was defrauded in an organized scheme, surrounding a Toyota Sienta, silver in colour, under registration number, UBM 082W. The vehicle was handed to him after the first instalment, but eventually impounded by Police and taken at Old Kampala Police Station, after it was established that the complainant had been duped by the seller Naome Grace, who used forged documents to fraudulently sell the motor vehicle to the complainant, yet the vehicle belonged to Naija Confort. She hired it from them on self-drive.
So far one suspect identified as Hajji Habib has been arrested and in custody. A serious hunt for the ring leader, Naome Grace, of the car-hire criminal gang is on. The facts gathered indicate that on the 30.06.2923, a one Naome Grace, while using forged documents, wanted to mortgage the hired motor vehicle to Mukasa Hannington, a used car dealer, at a bond in Makindye. The dealer refused and opted to buy it, if it was on sale. The two parties eventually, agreed to a sale of Ugx 18M, which was supposed to be paid in installments. The initial deposit paid Ugx 12M, was made on the 30.06.2023, and the motor vehicle handed over to the buyer, on the first day of the sale. The seller, Naome Grace, presented a copy of her National ID, a forged sales agreement, between her as a seller and Shukuran Shakib Abdallah as a buyer, and two receipts from Abdallah TRD Com. LTD, to her, with an outstanding balance of Ugx 4.9M. On the 3.07.2023, the buyer paid an addition Ugx 3.750.000/= leaving a balance of Ugx 2.250.000/= to be paid in August 2023.
The rightful owner of the motor vehicle from Naija Confort, while looking for their vehicle, got it on display at Makindye used-car bond. The claimants produced receipts issued by Abdallah Trading Co.Ltd, as the seller to Naija Confort, with an outstanding balance of Ugx 2M.
We have also established the sale agreement from Naome Grace, she appeared as a seller, and Shukuran Shakib Abdallah as a buyer. She was not the owner. While the sale agreement of Naija Confort showed them as buyers from Abdallah Trading Co.Ltd.
At this stage, there is no evidence to show that Police officers were involved in this fraudulent organized car-hire and sell scheme to defraud car buyers. The fraudulent activity was perpetrated by Naome Grace, who is on the run. She forged the sales agreement and receipts, and handed over a vehicle, which does not belong to her.
We therefore, urge all used-car dealers and car rental dealers to always be very vigilant and carry out sufficient due diligence. For instance, Mukasa Hannington did not establish proof of car ownership from URA, but relied on forged documents. As the Police, we strongly condemn such kinds of unfair and deceptive practices by car-hire criminal gangs. We are going to ensure, they are tracked down and arrested.
Investigations continues.
SCP Enanga Fred
Police Spokesperson
17th July 2023
