POLICE have urged prospective car buyers from the Sidmouth and Ottery areas to remain extra vigilant so they don’t unwittingly purchase a stolen motor.

POLICE have urged prospective car buyers from the Sidmouth and Ottery areas to remain extra vigilant so they don’t unwittingly purchase a stolen goods.

Three people in Devon have lost around �45,000 after falling victim to cloned vehicle fraud last month.

Devon and Cornwall Police said buyers paid money in good faith only to later discover that the cars were stolen, from areas outside the region, and had false plates and identification numbers placed on them.

Vehicle Investigations Officer, PC Mark Humphries, said: “These cars are initially stolen along with their keys from people’s homes or premises.

“They are then advertised for sale with forged V5(c) log books, and MOT certificates which relate to non-stolen vehicles in other areas of the country.

“They bear false number plates, vehicle identification numbers and stickers, tax discs, forged service books, and will come with only one key.

“Even an HPI check will come back as clear as the cloned details relate to another vehicle.”

He added a new ‘owner’ will only discover they are a victim once they send the fake documents back to DVLA.

PC Humphries said crimes related to Land Rovers could apply to any car in any area.

He advised residents to always check the seller’s knowledge of the vehicle and its history, to never pay with large amounts of cash, and to be wary of anything valued at under book price.