Car smuggling ring uncovered

The Honda NSX is one of the models stolen to order

A major international car smuggling scam has been uncovered involving the theft of cars in the Far East which are then sold as legitimate vehicles in the UK.

A BBC investigation has revealed that up to 85,000 cars stolen in Japan are now believed to be on the road in this country.

Inquiries have found that thieves steal cars in Japan and ship them to Dubai where they are given false papers and new identities before being transpoted on to the UK.

Some of the older cars are even changed to appear as newer models.

They only have possession of their vehicle and they ultimately stand to lose their money, the vehicle, everything

PC Steve Shaw, Hampshire Police

The BBC's Watchdog programme will feature the item on Wednesday and will also claim Japanese insurance companies are considering travelling to Britain to reclaim stolen cars.

The investigation was sparked by a tip-off from Hampshire Police following a random car check in Southampton where 50% of cars stopped were identified as stolen.

PC Steve Shaw of Hampshire Police said: "The owner does not own the vehicle, they only think they do.

"They only have possession of their vehicle and they ultimately stand to lose their money, the vehicle, everything."

Forged records

In the programme, reporter Quentin Wilson poses as a crooked car salesman and meets a car dealer who boasts he can supply 30 or 40 Toyota Landcruiser cars at a time.

The dealer also tells him how he forged service books, zeroed mileages and could change a car's year of manufacture by fitting new seat belt labels.

An interview with a former member of the Yakusa, the Japanese Mafia, about the operation will also be featured.

The BBC is handing the information to the police.

The Biggest Car Fraud in the World is broadcast in Watchdog on BBC One at 1930BST on Wednesday.