EOCO Warns Public After Recovering 100 Stolen Vehicles
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has retrieved over 100 stolen luxury vehicles smuggled into Ghana under dubious circumstances. The office is currently investigating an additional 300 suspected cases in collaboration with Interpol, the FBI, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Leo Antony Siamah, EOCO’s Head of Legal and Prosecutions, warned the public to exercise due diligence when purchasing vehicles, especially high-end models, to avoid becoming unwitting accomplices in criminal schemes. He further cautioned against impostors posing as EOCO officials to seize vehicles illegally.
Mr. Siamah explained that most of the vehicles were stolen in the United States and Canada, often without the knowledge of the owners, and shipped into Ghana with falsified documents. Innocent buyers, he noted, frequently end up caught in the web once the vehicles are flagged internationally.
He advised the public to look out for red flags such as suspiciously low prices, incomplete documentation, and tampered Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs). Verification platforms like Carfax and AutoCheck, as well as direct checks with EOCO or Interpol, were recommended to confirm vehicle authenticity.
EOCO has intensified collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority, port authorities, and the car trade industry to combat the influx of stolen vehicles. Mr. Siamah stressed that, beyond enforcement, public vigilance is essential to protecting Ghana from becoming a hub for stolen luxury cars.