Mon, 08 Dec 2025

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 I lost £13k after my second-hand EV turned out to be a clone car

Sevak Maljian says he carried out all recommended checks when buying a used car.
A Cardiff man has fallen victim to car cloning, a sophisticated type of identity theft where fraudsters create fake documents and numbers to sell stolen cars as legitimate vehicles. Sevak Maljian bought a £13,000 Kia EV6 from a seller in London, who had created replica documents including a V5C logbook with watermarks. The buyer, 35, did thorough checks on the vehicle, including MOT and mileage records, but failed to check the Vehicle Identity Number (VIN) on the chassis. The car was later seized by police after they confirmed it had been reported stolen in Kent. Maljian has lost his money and is still repaying a personal loan for the non-existent vehicle. The RAC believes car cloning is becoming increasingly widespread, with fraudsters using sophisticated methods to bypass security systems. A spokesperson advised buyers to verify the seller's identity and check all VINs on the vehicle, including those hidden on the chassis. Maljian has urged others to be vigilant when buying second-hand cars, warning that even thorough checks can be bypassed by skilled scammers. The case highlights the need for better anti-fraud controls, with experts saying that buyers should consider purchasing from reputable dealers rather than private sellers.
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