Clients of leasing companies are sometimes persuaded by intermediaries to conclude leasing contracts and then sublet cars. The cars are then shipped abroad – for example to France. Huge profits are promised from such an investment. The Polish Leasing Association warns against the new way of operating criminals.
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“There are intermediaries in our market who look for clients of leasing companies (often doctors, IT employees or other well-paid specialists) with a positive credit history and offer them to enter a profitable business” – we read in a statement from ZPL, a member of the Lewiatan Confederation.
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Leasing companies warn against scammers
The union explains that the fraud “consists in leasing a car and subletting it to an intermediary intended for foreign markets (mainly French)”, “while” initially, for several months, the business works properly until it turns out that the asset is it has been completely destroyed, for example in illegal car races, or is used for drug smuggling or insurance fraud. ”
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“Road rules and the penal code are violated” – emphasizes the ZPL.
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“Criminals focus on expensive, sports cars, most often brands such as: Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Volkswagen, which are then transported outside Poland and rented in local rental companies. The cars are directed mainly to France, although they can also go to other countries, for example to Spain or the Netherlands, writes ZPL.
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He adds that “cars are used contrary to their intended use and are destroyed, and in such cases insurance companies refuse to pay compensation under the AC”.
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In turn, “cars involved in crimes are seized by law enforcement agencies and may be confiscated”. “The consequence of such a situation is the need to pay the entire liability to the leasing company by the customer who has decided to lend the car to another entity without the prior consent of the lessor, thus failing to meet other conditions of the leasing contract” – explains the Association.
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Examples of a new scam
He also gives three examples.
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“The sports car was leased by a customer who immediately handed it over for a rental in France. After two months it turned out that the car was taken to Burkina Faso, where it was wrecked. The high costs of importing such a vehicle are borne by the customer” – this is the first example given by ZPL.
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In the second, “the client leased a sports car, which was found completely burned down in France after a few months,” and “the insurer refused to pay compensation”.
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“In early September 2021, in Marseille, France, eight vehicles were detained by the police. The cars were used by a drug dealer under handwritten contracts on the bonnet edge. The cars were registered in Poland, but did not have road insurance required by the French Highway and Insurance Code. The police confiscated eight vehicles, including an Audi Q8, and then they were put up for auction. The cars cannot be recovered, “is the third example.
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ZPL points out that at this stage it is not possible to indicate one pattern of conduct. “The procedure involves both clients of leasing companies, as well as suppliers or employees of suppliers. Experts of the Polish Leasing Association point out that the case may also apply to customers who have a positive credit history in a given leasing company” – emphasized in the release.
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What should arouse customer vigilance?
ZPL identifies 8 situations where customers should be especially careful:
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1. Proposition of a profitable business related to the subletting of a leased car for the foreign market (the subletting fee significantly exceeds the leasing installment).
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2. Proposal to hand over the car to a person / third party.
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3. Proposal to settle the rent for a longer period, eg for a year in advance.
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4. Offering a reimbursement of up to several thousand zlotys for the rebate obtained when purchasing a car. In practice, customers will still pay for this discount, which will be included in the leasing installments.
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5. The subject of the contract is a sports version of a popular car brand (eg Mercedes AMG, Audi RS and S, BMW M).
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6. The car should be configured in the richest version of equipment.
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7. The car does not have an extended insurance policy with the risk of subletting, racing, etc.
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8. Lack of information about what will happen to the car, who will use it.
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photo-source">Main photo source: Shutterstock
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