DVLA V5 possible fraud, advise required

[5554ndhu]

Hi guys

First post, I've been lurking for years but usually just have a look at specific threads.

I had a strange thing happen to me and wanted to know if anybody has had this experience.

I had 2 dodgy guys of a certain type view my car on the 23rd December which I had up for sale, they looked at the logbook in front of me and at no time did they have the logbook without me being present. they made a silly offer which i refused and they went away. thinking back they were more interested in seeing the documents than the car!

Fast forward to this morning 15th Jan and DVLA send an acknowledgement that I am no longer the legal keeper of the vehicle and my road tax is cancelled etc.

I called up DVLA and they have said someone on the 25th December had transferred ownership online using the document reference number. They must of memorised the document reference number or something as they didn't have any phones out to take photos. Also only I've got access to my V5 and only took it out that day to show the potential buyer.

Is this potentially a scam to gain the logbook and clone another vehicle or take out logbook loans?

DVLA have frozen the logbook whilst they investigate but in the mean time my cars got no road tax and technically my insurance is void as I am no longer the registered keeper!!

Sorry mods if this is in the wrong forum section!

[oakdale]

Did they ask to see both sets of keys?

They've been know to substitute the spare key with another one that's similar so that they have yours, anyway they're likely to come back for the car, I'd make sure it can't be taken by blocking it in or using a wheel clamp.

[5554ndhu]

I only have 1 key which was in my pocket as its keyless start and i still use the same key to operate the car. This connected to my house keys which I have in my possession.

[oakdale]

They may have been planning to 'visit' you for the key then.

[5554ndhu]

Really? Its a 2012 audi a7. Not really anything special or highly valuable.

[oakdale]

5554ndhu said:

Really? Its a 2012 audi a7. Not really anything special or highly valuable.

I don't know then, does it have a private plate?
I'm sure someone else will come along with ideas of what they're up to.

[Fastdruid]

Might be after the identity rather than anything else.

Take one stolen A7, get a genuine V5 from another car, change the plates and the VIN and sell on. Only gets found out by the buyer of their nice shiny new A7 when they try to get a V5 in their name....for your car.

Or something equally dubious.

[5554ndhu]

I was thinking along those lines or even a logbook loan against the car?

[the tribester]

Keyless start?

Are these the sort of characters to be back with a laptop and scanner at 3am, drive off in your car, code a new key, and then sell it on with the new V5 in their (made-up) name?

[5554ndhu]

Where i live is a communal car park, my car is about 30 metres from my flat and I live on the 3rd floor. Thats why I'm more confused then ever as to why they did it. Or even how. The mind baffles

[rallycross]

Fastdruid said:

Might be after the identity rather than anything else.

Take one stolen A7, get a genuine V5 from another car, change the plates and the VIN and sell on. .

I'd think this is it they probably already have a stolen car same as yours, now they have ID to sell it once fiddled with its own ID

[BUG4LIFE]

rallycross said:

Fastdruid said:

Might be after the identity rather than anything else.

Take one stolen A7, get a genuine V5 from another car, change the plates and the VIN and sell on. .

I'd think this is it they probably already have a stolen car same as yours, now they have ID to sell it once fiddled with its own ID

How would that work though....the real 'owner' has contacted the DVLA [as he has obviously had a letter/email from them], and the DLVA is investigating. The 'bad guys' would have to work fast, get it sold, and hope the new buyer doesn't do any checks?!

[Tommo87]

BUG4LIFE said:

rallycross said:

Fastdruid said:

Might be after the identity rather than anything else.

Take one stolen A7, get a genuine V5 from another car, change the plates and the VIN and sell on. .

I'd think this is it they probably already have a stolen car same as yours, now they have ID to sell it once fiddled with its own ID

How would that work though....the real 'owner' has contacted the DVLA [as he has obviously had a letter/email from them], and the DLVA is investigating. The 'bad guys' would have to work fast, get it sold, and hope the new buyer doesn't do any checks?!

DVLA have already sent out the replacement logbook, to the new keeper, which is why it’s blocked?

[Fastdruid]

BUG4LIFE said:

rallycross said:

Fastdruid said:

Might be after the identity rather than anything else.

Take one stolen A7, get a genuine V5 from another car, change the plates and the VIN and sell on. .

I'd think this is it they probably already have a stolen car same as yours, now they have ID to sell it once fiddled with its own ID

How would that work though....the real 'owner' has contacted the DVLA [as he has obviously had a letter/email from them], and the DLVA is investigating. The 'bad guys' would have to work fast, get it sold, and hope the new buyer doesn't do any checks?!

It works if someone doesn't do a HPI check on it. Just sees the V5 in the "owners" name (albeit for a short time) and doesn't check too carefully. They then find out when they apply for a new V5 with the fraudulent copy.

There are plenty of people out there who get caught up in such scams.

[smokey mow]

My initial thought was that they might be trying to use it to obtain a log book loan.

[B'stard Child]

Tommo87 said:

DVLA have already sent out the replacement logbook, to the new keeper, which is why it’s blocked?

I think you may well be right

[5554ndhu]

Hi Guys

Just bumping this up incase someone has experenced this.

DVLA are saying 6-8 weeks with no more info.

Police said its 'intel' and for me to keep an eye on the car and if I can catch them in the act they will have a better chance at catching them when I call.

They won't be chasing the 'new person' named on the logbook as they don't see it as fraud. I've asked to put a marker on the car (i don't mind if i get stopped daily) but they refuse to do so unless it gets stolen. surely if cloned another car with the same plates is driving around and can easily be identified by ANPR?

Audi said if somebody comes into the dealership with the v5 they won't be able to program the keys without the car. Does anybody have any knowledge if that is true or not?

I just worry i'll wake up in the morning and have no car! Police and DVLA are not helping at all.

[Sheepshanks]

Contact your MP - they can't have much to do at the moment.

I'm not sure what else the DVLA could do (unless they have their own investigations department) but it seems ridiculous that the police won't make basic enquiries.

[B'stard Child]

Have the DVLA sent you a new log book?

Some things like SORN declarations or On-line VED applications require latest log book reference number before the computer will say yes........

[5554ndhu]

Nope! dvla will have to investigate what I say is true and only then return the logbook back to me.

In the mean time someone could potentially get points and fines plus my car is not technically insured as I'm not the registered keeper anymore.

Dvla said park the car elsewhere until we resolve it. So for up to 8 weeks I'm expected to park my car elsewhere, the police also advised the same.