A new wave of
theft has hit the used-car import market as tricksters emerge in Japan
to cash in on a booming electronic trade to steal from unsuspecting
bargain hunters.
Kenya’s embassy in Tokyo has issued a
fresh alert — the second one this year and sixth one since 2012 —
advising importers placing online orders to deal only with registered
shipping agents.
“This is to kindly inform Kenyans that
fraud in the importation of motor vehicles from Japan is apparently
once again on the rise,” the Embassy says in the latest alert.
“The
Embassy is overwhelmed by messages from prospective Kenyan importers
requesting verification of genuineness of companies or agents exporting
vehicles from Japan before entering into transactions.”
The
embassy wants buyers to direct the import enquiries to the Japan Used
Motor Vehicles Exporters Association (Jumvea), a lobby with which it has
been working to curb car import fraud.
Jumvea has
similarly posted a warning on its website asking importers to confirm
registration status of agents before making payment.
The
lobby says fraudsters frequently offer low prices as a bait. It has
committed to take stern disciplinary action should any of its members be
found to have colluded with the cartel.
The Kenyan
Embassy has resorted to posting such alerts after its bid to get
Japanese regulatory authorities to intervene failed to bear fruit.
Under Japanese law, car import fraud is not regarded as a criminal offence that attracts the interest of the State.
“Such
cases are considered as civil offences under Japanese law, which, in
essence, will require one to engage a legal firm to institute legal
proceedings,” the embassy says in a notice.
To
prosecute a civil case, the victim has to hire a lawyer in Japan.
Importers say prohibitive legal fees — which in most cases are higher
than the car value — has discouraged most of them from seeking justice.
They
have also pointed out that fraudsters are able to withdraw money sent
by victims only in one transaction before changing their identities
since ATMs in Japan allow bank customers to withdraw up to Sh1 million
in one go.
Multiple photos
To
distinguish themselves from the phony firms, most agents give advisory
to ensure prospective buyers do not fall victims to the theft syndicate.
An alert published on the Japancartrade.com website,
for instance, warns buyers of fraudsters in this business “but there are
also a handful of legitimate and trustworthy exporters.”
According
to the site, online importers must insist on multiple photos of
vehicles from the prospective exporter. “Photos from a decent company
will have consistency— the background should be the same generally for
shots taken on the same yard,” the alert says.
It adds: “If you are unsure of the company, ask for more photos and be specific on the angles.
For
example, zoom in on the Stereo and the CD changer, Zoom in on the
Chassis Number, show a picture of the exact mileage on the odometer etc.
Ask to see something not important at all like photos of the door
handles.
If the company does not get back to you very
fast with these requested photos, there is a good chance they simply do
not own the vehicle.”
omondi@ke.nationmedia.com
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