An extensive investigation conducted by Swedish Radio News has uncovered a scheme in which scrapped cars from Sweden are being illegally exported and sold in Nigeria.
The investigation identified 50 different Swedish cars, now on sale in Nigeria, with falsified information regarding their mileage and age.
According to the report, “A car that is deregistered in Sweden is generally regarded as hazardous waste and is not allowed to be exported to Africa.” However, this regulation is being circumvented in the illegal trade.
The modus operandi of the criminals involves purchasing personal data from the Swedish Transport Agency. This data is used to locate and contact owners of older cars in Sweden, persuading them to sell. These older car models are then sold for significant profits in Nigeria.
Dave Russel, a reporter for Radio Sweden, explained how mass mailing tactics are employed by these criminals to target Swedish car owners. Veronica, a resident of Gothenburg, Sweden, recounted receiving ten letters from the same individual, expressing interest in purchasing her Peugeot. Despite her attempts to stop the correspondence, the letters continued. What Veronica did not realise was that her car registration and address information had been purchased by the individuals behind these letters, from the Swedish Transportation Agency.
Investigations revealed that this personal data is being bought by individuals with criminal records, including convictions for violent crimes and fraud. The Swedish police have noted that several individuals involved in this illegal exportation are also part of international fraud syndicates.
The police stated, “People involved in the illegal export of cars to Nigeria have been able to purchase detailed information about car owners. These cars, many of which have been illegal and unfit for driving for years, still end up in Nigeria, posing various risks.”