Kent Police are issuing a vital warning to residents selling vehicles online following an incident where a Dartford woman’s Mercedes A Class was stolen by individuals posing as interested buyers.
The victim had listed her car on an online marketplace on Saturday 28 February, and the suspects arrived to view the vehicle on Monday 2 March. Investigators believe that during this initial meeting, one of the vehicle’s keys was surreptitiously swapped for a duplicate. After the owner returned home later that evening, she discovered her car was missing at approximately 10:40 pm.
The investigation moved at a remarkable pace as officers tracked the Mercedes travelling across the Dartford Crossing and into Essex. Within just one hour of the theft being reported, police intercepted the vehicle and arrested two men. Abu Siddique, 37, of Bedford, and Mirza Sadiq, 44, of St. Albans, have since been charged with vehicle theft and driving without insurance.
Following their appearance at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 4 March, both men were released on conditional bail. They are scheduled to appear next at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday 30 March. This case serves as a stark reminder for sellers to remain hyper-vigilant during viewings, particularly when handling keys or allowing prospective buyers access to the vehicle’s interior.