The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has recovered 100 stolen luxury vehicles shipped into Ghana through criminal networks, in what it describes as one of the largest crackdowns on transnational car theft in recent years.
The anti-graft agency is also investigating more than 300 additional suspected stolen vehicles in collaboration with Interpol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Head of Legal and Prosecutions at EOCO, Leo Antony Siamah, cautioned the public to exercise extreme vigilance when purchasing cars, particularly luxury models, to avoid becoming unsuspecting accomplices in international crime.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are posing as officials from EOCO and seizing vehicles. The public must verify the identity of such persons before cooperating with them,” he warned.
He explained that most of the stolen cars originate from the United States and Canada, taken from owners who are often away from home. They are then shipped to Ghana with forged documents through well-organised syndicates.
“By the time the cars are declared stolen abroad, they are already in the hands of innocent purchasers in Ghana,” Mr Siamah revealed.
EOCO says prospective buyers must look out for several warning signs, including:
- Prices far below market value
- Incomplete or suspicious documentation
- Altered or defaced Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs)
- Tampered rearview mirrors, where hidden GPS trackers are often planted
He advised buyers to cross-check VINs in multiple parts of the car, verify vehicle histories through platforms such as Carfax and AutoCheck, and consult EOCO or Interpol before committing to purchases.
Vehicles most commonly targeted include:
Mercedes-Benz, Bentley, Lexus, Rolls-Royce, BMW X7 and X8 series, Ford F150, Cadillac Escalade, Dodge Ram, and Honda CR-V.
“These are high-value assets that criminal networks prefer because of their resale demand and global brand recognition,” Mr Siamah said.
Beyond consumer risks, EOCO stressed that the stolen-vehicle trade threatens Ghana’s reputation on the global stage.
“This issue creates a very bad image for Ghana as a hub for stolen vehicles. Beyond the reputational damage, even genuine buyers are unfairly perceived,” Siamah noted, adding that EOCO is working with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), port authorities, and other security agencies to tighten verification processes.
EOCO reiterated that its operations are guided strictly by law under the Economic and Organised Crime Office Act, 2010 (Act 804), which empowers the agency to investigate money laundering, cybercrime, tax fraud, financial loss to the state, and other serious offences.
The agency has also intensified lifestyle audits to track assets inconsistent with declared incomes, though it admits challenges with cross-border ownership structures and limited resources.
“We call on the public to collaborate with us to help us effectively discharge our mandate,” Mr Siamah appealed.
The surge in stolen vehicles is part of a wider regional problem. In April 2025, an Interpol-led operation across 11 West African countries, including Ghana, uncovered 150 stolen luxury cars and seized more than 75.
EOCO is continuing stakeholder engagement with car dealers, garage owners, and consumers to prevent Ghana from becoming a safe haven for transnational criminal syndicates.
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