The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has cautioned Ghanaians to exercise due diligence when purchasing vehicles, following investigations that revealed thousands of stolen cars from the United States and Canada are being shipped into Ghana and other parts of West Africa each year.
Speaking on the KeyPoints, EOCO’s Head of Legal and Prosecution, Leo Anthony Siamah, said the agency’s investigations have identified Dodge Rams, Ford F-150s, Honda CRVs, and Range Rovers as among the most commonly stolen vehicles trafficked into the sub-region.
“These four brands are the most frequent in terms of numbers, but it’s not limited to them. The issue cuts across both regular and luxury cars, though the high-end vehicles are more lucrative for criminals,” Siamah explained.
He disclosed that in 2022, EOCO, working with the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, received a database of about 300 suspected stolen vehicles in Ghana.
“Out of the 300, we were able to recover about 66. But what is worrying is that more than 70 percent of vehicles we intercepted, outside the original list, also turned out to be stolen. This shows the problem is much bigger, with some estimates suggesting up to 10,000 stolen vehicles may be entering Ghana each year,” he revealed.
Mr. Siamah rejected claims that EOCO operates in “Rambo-style” by stopping cars on the road.
“We do not randomly stop vehicles. Because we have a database, we are able to track them to garages, dealerships, or through asset investigations. Most of the 66 vehicles recovered were traced to garages where they were being sold,” he said.
On how the public can protect themselves, he advised car buyers to go beyond surface checks when making purchases.
“If you do not do proper due diligence, the law does not give you any cause of action against the person who sold you a stolen vehicle. So, you need to take extra steps,” he cautioned.
He outlined several red flags for buyers to watch out for:
• Vehicles with tampered or missing rear-view mirrors, which often hide GPS trackers.
• Cars that appear almost brand new despite being sold as accident or salvaged vehicles.
• Suspiciously low prices for luxury cars.
Siamah also encouraged the public to use online verification platforms like Carfax, the U.S. National Insurance Crime Bureau, and Interpol’s Stolen Motor Vehicle Database.
“EOCO can also assist buyers to check the status of vehicles before they commit to purchases,” he added.
He stressed that collaboration with international partners will continue, but urged citizens to take responsibility.
“The market is very lucrative for these criminals. A Maserati stolen abroad and sold here for a fraction of its value still brings huge profit. That’s why due diligence is key. Don’t fall victim,” he said.
