Couple arrested after defrauding car dealership

A young couple, aged 24 and 26, were recently arrested for defrauding a local car dealership.

During the latter part of last year, the couple, believed to be from the Greytown area, submitted false documentation to purchase a Ford Ranger bakkie at a local dealership.

The false documentation went unnoticed by the financing company and the duo took ownership of the bakkie.

Early this month, the couple went to a second dealership in town and filled in an application to purchase another vehicle. Little did they know that their luck was about to run out.

False documents were presented again as the couple attempted to buy a Ford ST vehicle.

Once the documents were submitted to the finance corporation for consideration, it was confirmed that the couple were trying to defraud the company.

Bank officials investigated both deals (Ford Ranger and Ford ST) and that’s when they realised the couple had managed to defraud the first dealership.

Both dealerships were informed and the matter was reported to police.

Fast-acting officers immediately set up a sting operation and with the help of the dealership, they set a trap for the unsuspecting duo.

On Monday, May 30, the couple arrived with the Ford Ranger bakkie at the dealership to take delivery of the Ford ST, not knowing what lay in store.

Local detectives were about to pounce on them.

As the paperwork was about to be completed (signing an agreement with the bank and the person who is financing the vehicle), officers made their move.

Caught totally by surprise, the young couple were arrested.

The Ford Ranger bakkie was seized by police and the Ford ST was retained by the second dealership. The couple have since appeared in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court facing charges of fraud and will appear again on Monday, July 4.