The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has dropped hints and tips to help the public to identify and avoid purchasing stolen vehicles, a persistent issue in Ghana.

Speaking on The Key Points on TV3 on August 23, the Head of Legal and Prosecution at EOCO, Leo Anthony Siamah, pointed out that certain types of vehicles should be immediate red flags for potential buyers.

Siamah stressed that the sudden appearance of brand-new, accident-free vehicles, particularly the latest models from 2023 and 2024, should raise suspicion.

He indicated that Ghana's vehicle market is typically dominated by salvaged or accident-damaged imports, so a pristine, newer car is a major deviation from the norm.

About 10,000 stolen cars enter Ghana annually – EOCO

"If you look at the vehicles and you realise that they are 2023 or 2024 models that is accident-free, it should be a red flag that should prompt you to check with INTERPOL to verify whether the car is stolen," he advised.

While vehicles like Honda CR-Vs, Range Rovers, Ford F-150s, and Dodge Rams are frequently on the stolen vehicle list, Siamah clarified that EOCO's operations are not limited to these models.

He noted that they also investigate common vehicles like Toyota Highlanders and Honda Accords, suggesting that no model is safe from theft.

Siamah also reiterated that EOCO does not operate in a ‘rambo-style’ manner as widely propagated, instead, the agency uses a comprehensive database to track stolen cars to specific garages and dealerships, ensuring their investigations are targeted and effective.

EOCO strongly urged the public to use resources like INTERPOL's database to verify a vehicle's status before buying it.

In their estimation, due diligence is the best way to avoid the financial and legal complications of purchasing a stolen car.

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