Kochi Police Launch Investigation Into High-Value Car Fraud Case
Ernakulam Central Police in Kochi have officially registered a case of cheating and initiated a detailed investigation. This action follows a complaint about the sale of a car that customs authorities reportedly attached last year.
Victim Details and Allegations
The complainant is a 22-year-old resident of Edappally. According to his formal complaint, the accused individuals cheated him out of a substantial sum of Rs 14 lakh. They sold him a vehicle while making false claims about its history.
The sellers allegedly told the young man that the car was previously used by an Indian Embassy. This claim appears to be entirely fabricated.
The Vehicle and the Transaction
The car in question is a Toyota Land Cruiser. A Delhi-based car dealer facilitated the sale to the complainant from Kochi.
The First Information Report (FIR) presents serious allegations. It states the vehicle was an illegally smuggled used car originating from Bhutan. Authorities believe it was re-registered in Himachal Pradesh before being sold to the unsuspecting buyer in Kerala.
The total payment amounted to Rs 14 lakh. The financial breakdown is as follows:
- A sum of Rs 5 lakh was transferred via bank between June 29, 2024, and July 1, 2024.
- Another Rs 5 lakh was paid in cash through a friend at the time of vehicle handover.
- A final payment of Rs 4 lakh was made through banking channels on that same day.
Legal Action and Customs Involvement
Police have registered the FIR under relevant Indian Penal Code sections for cheating and criminal breach of trust. This formal step marks the beginning of their probe.
The case has direct links to a major customs operation. The Customs (Preventive) Department had previously seized this vehicle. This seizure was part of a broader crackdown named 'Operation Numkhor'.
Understanding Operation Numkhor
Operation Numkhor represents a significant enforcement action against alleged illegal smuggling. Its primary target is the unlawful import of used vehicles from Bhutan.
Authorities launched the operation based on specific intelligence. Reports indicated numerous vehicles were entering the country through illegal channels.
The operation involved a series of coordinated raids across Kerala. These raids covered over thirty different locations. Major cities and towns included:
- Kochi
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Kozhikode
- Malappuram
- Kuttippuram
- Thrissur
The scope of the operation was wide. It even included premises linked to various celebrities, highlighting the scale of the alleged smuggling network. The crackdown focused on premium vehicles being brought into the state without proper legal clearance.
The current police investigation will now determine how a vehicle seized in this high-profile customs operation was allegedly sold to a private buyer. Authorities are working to trace the chain of ownership and identify all individuals involved in the fraudulent sale.
