Police crackdown on car credit fraud

A groundbreaking police intelligence operation has helped to recover nearly £3m of vehicles since September 2007, including many that were purchased with fraudulently obtained car credit, as well as some that were stolen. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has partnered with the Finance & Leasing Association to form the Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS). AVCIS used technology developed by CAP called Valuation Anywhere to help recover vehicles that had been paid for with illegally obtained car credit. Valuation Anywhere is a unique system which enabled the officers to identify and value recovered vehicles instantly via mobile phone or web service, providing essential information to support investigations. The system works by asking users to send a text message with the vehicle registration mark and mileage. Seconds later, mileage-adjusted, industry-recognised, benchmark used car or van values are obtained via a web application which offers additional pricing-related data. Detective Chief Inspector Lambotte, Head of AVCIS, said: "The provision of CAP information in partnership with the Finance & Leasing Association adds a valuable resource to our investigative teams, not only in measuring performance, but more importantly providing accurate data in respect of the value of assets which in turn supports investigations." CAP Managing Director Rupert Keane said: "We are delighted that a best-of-breed solution developed by CAP ... has found such a powerful application in the fight against vehicle crime. Vehicle finance fraud hurts us all and we applaud the innovative approach of AVCIS and the success it has achieved so far."