Wyndham Crime Investigation Unit detectives have today arrested a teenager and five men after executing warrants at properties in Tarneit, Truganina and Hoppers Crossing as part of an alleged car scam investigation.
The warrants were executed at five houses at 7.30am this morning with police also seizing a number of items including documents and electronic devices.
An 18-year old from Truganina, a 17-year old from Tarneit, a 20-year old from Tarneit, a 21-year old from Truganina, a 19-year old from Tarneit and another 20-year old from Tarneit were all arrested and are currently in police custody, assisting investigators with their enquiries.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Police allege the scam has been taking place over three months in various suburbs across metropolitan Melbourne.
It is believed the scam involves alleged offenders contacting victims who are selling second-hand cars on platforms including Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace.
The offenders arrange an inspection of the vehicle and agree to purchase it.
The victim is then shown an Eftpos transfer into the victims account which makes the victim believe the funds have been transferred. This is not the case and the offenders subsequently cancel the scheduled Eftpos transfer.
The offenders use stolen licences as part of the transaction process.
The offenders then advertise the stolen vehicle on websites that sell cars in the hope they can sell the car to a secondary victim prior to the vehicle being listed as stolen.
Anyone with information about the alleged scam is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
