- Police are tracking suspects in a used car scam
The police have identified several men in Hamburg who are suspected of defrauding used car buyers. In two cases, cars offered for sale online had their odometer readings tampered with, the police said. The State Criminal Police Office identified several suspects and secured evidence this week.
According to reports, a 31-year-old sold a vehicle to a buyer in Hamburg-Rothenburgsort at the beginning of August. The 27-year-old buyer discovered significant defects in the car soon after.
Arrest at a staged sales appointment
During the investigation, more ads from the suspect were found, leading police to arrange a covert sales appointment for Wednesday. Officers took the man into custody at the scene. He was later released as no grounds for detention were found.
In the other case, police identified two men, aged 36 and 46, as suspects. They are believed to have been involved in the sale of a tampered car in Hamburg-Borgfelde at the end of June. After the sale, the seller fled to a waiting vehicle, prompting the couple who bought the car to contact the police.
On Thursday, police searched the suspects' apartments. The 46-year-old was taken into custody provisionally as his residence status in Germany was unclear.
The suspect who was arrested during the staged sales appointment was accused of defrauding buyers by selling vehicles with tampered odometer readings. The couple who purchased a tampered car in Hamburg-Borgfelde reported the seller's sudden departure after the sale, leading to the involvement of the police.
