DSI uncovers complicated plot behind luxury-car scam
Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdit yesterday revealed progress on the DSI probe into a scam to avoid the higher taxation on imports of luxury cars by registering them as reassembled.
Tarit said seven relevant agencies would meet on Friday June 28 to find solutions for the unwitting owners of the falsely registered car owners, as well as deciding on punishment for those who had modified car engines and gear systems to fool inspectors.
According to an informed source, among the five cars submitted for inspection yesterday were four Mercedes-Benzes seized because the engine, body and gear set carried the same series number, suggesting they were not reassembled cars as claimed.
Tarit also reported on progress in a separate DSI probe into a red Ferrari that was among six super-cars burned in Nakhon Ratchasima while on the way to being registered as reassembled cars in Si Sa Ket late last month. The DSI said the Ferrari, which had been through a complicated process involving some 50 people, originally had a different number plate, which had been concealed beneath a new identity.
Tarit said the auto parts for the Ferrari were imported on June 15, 2011 by JMW Motor Co Ltd and TNT Express Co Ltd, then reassembled by Thanatas Khunnuch’s L Auto Shop. The car was then registered for tax as an LPG-adapted vehicle on September 20, 2011, with engineer Kraisit Mahiwan checking the car’s condition and certifying the LPG conversion – which was supposedly done by Chatchai Sukchanurak’s Power Gas Co Ltd. After registering it with Si Sa Ket’s Transport Office, Thanatas transferred ownership of the car to Nareunart Kuansawat, who is suspected of tax evasion in the super-car trade.
“Then the authorities were notified that the car had been switched to use petrol instead of LPG and the owner requested a new registration book on grounds that the old one was missing,” explained Tarit.
“The car was later transferred to Bio Power System Thailand Co Ltd, which used it in Lop Buri, hence the new licence plate “Kor Tor 0444 Lop Buri”, he said, adding that ownership of the Ferrari had been switched three times in 223 days.
Tarit went on to say that Thanatas owned a fleet of over 28 high-end cars, including nine Mercedes, five Mini Coopers, five Nissans, two Porches, four Toyotas and three Volkswagens, while Nareunart owned a Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche, Volkswagen and Mercedes.
