Two men have been charged following an investigation into fraudulent vehicle inspections in the Riverina region.
Officers attached to Riverina Highway Patrol Command commenced an investigation into alleged fraudulently-issued vehicle inspection reports in the state’s south, NSW Police said in a statement today.
“Inquiries revealed a Campbelltown-based car dealership had allegedly offered a defective vehicle for sale to a person in Wagga Wagga,” NSW Police said.
As part of ongoing investigations, with assistance from Transport for NSW, the Department of Fair Trading and officers from Strike Force Puma, police conducted a compliance operation at the dealership last week.
“During the operation, major defects were detected on nine vehicles, three sets of number plates were seized, and five unregistered vehicles were subjected to registration bans until the vehicles have been inspected in a compliant condition.”
“Following further inquiries, a 45-year-old man was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for two counts of publish etc false misleading material to obtain advantage.”
He was granted conditional bail to appear in Campbelltown Local Court on June 8.
A second compliance operation was conducted at a business in Guildford the following day.
During the operation, police seized an allegedly rebirthed sedan from the premises and arrested a 44-year-old man.
The man was taken to Granville Police Station and charged with four counts of publish false misleading material to obtain advantage, three counts of knowingly produce false/misleading document: state law, and breach condition of examiners authority.
It’s alleged the man issued pink, blue and brown slips on numerous occasions without sighting the vehicle, police said.
He was granted conditional bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on May 18.
Acting Inspector Brett Collins from Riverina Highway Patrol said police will continue to target those who choose to do the wrong thing.
“It is a constant frustration seeing businesses continually doing the wrong thing, particularly when they are entrusted with a task that can ultimately affect community safety,” A/Insp Collins said.
“We are sending a strong message that if you are engaged with issuing fraudulent inspection reports, you can expect us to be paying a visit to your business and potentially laying criminal charges.
“This kind of behaviour creates significant risk in the community, when vehicles being used on public roads are not in fact roadworthy.
“Vehicles that don’t meet standards are likely to be a contributing factor to collisions and fatalities.”
Investigations are continuing.
Anyone with information about motor vehicle crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
