Police and Customs have uncovered an alleged crime syndicate operating between New Zealand and Japan that imported hundreds of vehicles with falsified odometer readings.
According to a report in legacy media, a civil court case revealed the group allegedly brought in 303 vehicles between 2020 and 2024, with at least 252 showing altered mileage and forged export certificates. Customs identified discrepancies after comparing Japanese export documents with New Zealand import records, exposing that buyers had unknowingly purchased older vehicles than advertised, though safety was not compromised.
The case involves three individuals and two Auckland companies, with one man now facing multiple charges of forgery, document fraud, and importing prohibited goods. A criminal trial is scheduled for October next year.
Image credit: Wesley Tingey
