Team Formed to Help Prevent Rising Cases of Fake Online Vehicle Dealers

Kenyans have been in the recent past been falling prey of fraud cases as far as online vehicle purchase is concerned and that led to the government seeking ways of curbing the acts.

The government, together with the top management team of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association (JUMVEA) is set to hold discussion for the purpose of finding ways of curbing fraud in the country.

With evolvement of online marketing which is seen as the easiest and most convenient way of purchasing goods and services, a lot of people in the country keep losing huge chunks of money in the hands of fraudsters who pretend to be genuine online car dealers, but at the end of order placement by clients fail to deliver the said vehicles.

JUMVEA will not only hold meetings with the government but also with local used car dealers and the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) among other stakeholders.

Most of the victims of the fraud have been lured by online con artists who offer cars at significant discounts compared to established trading houses including the 240 members of JUMVEA such as Sun Corporation and Amagasaki Motor.

“This is to inform that (JUMVEA) has requested for facilitation of appointments with Kenyan official for four of its members,” Kenya’s ambassador to Japan Solomon Maina wrote to the ministry of foreign affairs in a letter dated March 21.

“JUMVEA, which is the legally recognized used motor exporters in Japan, like the embassy, regrets that many Kenyans are losing valuable cash to fraudulent vehicle dealers and would like to discuss how to solve the situation.”

Kenya Auto Bazaar Association (KABA), which represents the interests of used car dealers, is among the key stakeholders that will engage with JUMVEA officials in talks that are expected to be concluded by the end of the week.

Mr.Maina said Kenya’s embassy in Japan is flooded with appeals for assistance from Kenyans who have fallen prey to the deceitful dealers.

“Despite the concerted effort, the embassy is unable to effectively solve these matters given the fact that the mission has no mandate to intervene in private business affairs,” he wrote in the letter.

“It should also be noted that fraud is considered as a civil offense by the Japanese law and authorities advise that such offenses should be addressed through Interpol or by hiring lawyers for due legal processes.”

He added that the fraudsters use fake internet addresses that are not officially registered.