Police report increase in seized cloned vehicles in Somerset

Cloned vehicles are stolen cars given a false identity, often matching a legitimate vehicle, and sold to unsuspecting buyers through online platforms and social media.

The Office for National Statistics reported an eight per cent increase in vehicle thefts between 2022 and 2023, with a corresponding rise in vehicle cloning as criminals use increasingly sophisticated methods to disguise stolen vehicles.

In Avon and Somerset, police seized at least one cloned vehicle per week on average last year, double the number seized in 2023.

Matt Neale, a stolen vehicle examiner, said: "The level of sophistication we’re now seeing in vehicle cloning is very high.

"Gone are the days of simply swapping number plates.

"Many of these vehicles have had their entire identity changed.

"We’re seeing false VIN numbers, replacement labels and even reprogrammed electronic systems so that everything appears legitimate when checked.

"In some cases, even the locks and keys have been replaced.

"Because of this, standard online checks can appear completely normal, as they relate to the genuine vehicle whose identity has been copied.

"That’s why it’s so important that buyers take the time to check both the vehicle and the seller carefully.

"If something doesn’t feel right, or the deal seems too good to be true, don’t be afraid to walk away."

To raise awareness, Avon and Somerset Police have released a short film titled Stolen Identity: The Cloned Car Scam, which explores the scale of the problem, its impact on victims, and the warning signs to watch for when buying a used vehicle.

Victims of vehicle cloning can lose thousands of pounds, as they have no legal ownership of the stolen vehicle once it is identified as a clone and seized by police.

Buyers who purchase cloned vehicles privately often have little or no financial recourse, especially if they paid in cash.

The crime typically creates at least two victims: the original vehicle owner and the unsuspecting buyer.

In some cases, the genuine vehicle owner may also receive penalty notices or be linked to offences they did not commit.

A recent case involved a Bristol woman who unknowingly bought a cloned van.

Police were alerted after DVLA records showed at least two other vehicles using the same identity in different parts of the country.

The van was seized and found to be stolen, with its identity extensively altered.

The woman said: "To say I am truly devastated is an understatement.

"I feel like my life has been taken away from me.

"We have made so many memories as a family in the three years we’ve had the van, and it has become such a huge part of our lives.

"Watching it being taken away like that was absolutely horrible."

Police have warned that cloning methods are now so advanced that it is nearly impossible for the average buyer to detect a cloned vehicle.

They have issued advice to help the public avoid falling victim to this type of fraud.

Red flags include a selling price significantly below market value, only one key, no log book (V5C), requests to meet somewhere other than the seller’s home, cash-only payments, and evasiveness when asked for ID or proof of ownership.

Buyers are advised to insist on seeing the log book and the seller’s ID, avoid cash payments, and not agree to apply for a replacement log book on the seller’s behalf.

Mr Neale said: "Vehicle cloning is becoming increasingly sophisticated and, unfortunately, anyone can fall victim regardless of their experience or knowledge of vehicles.

"Look out for the warning signs, ask questions, and be prepared to walk away from anything that doesn’t feel right.

"Criminals steal vehicles because they can profit from selling them on.

"By helping buyers recognise the red flags associated with cloned vehicles and giving them the confidence to challenge suspicious sales, we can make it harder for offenders to find victims and ultimately help reduce the number of vehicles being stolen."