28 arrested for dealing in fake DVLA stickers

28 people have been arrested by police for dealing in fake Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority [DVLA] certificates and stickers, in an operation mounted around DVLA offices in Accra and Tema.

The 28 persons arrested consist of seven females and 21 males whose ages range from 21 to 31 years.

Items ranging from printers, photocopy machines, trimming machines, computers, DVLA road worthiness certificates and stickers, mobile phones and other office equipment were confiscated by the Police.

A statement signed by the Director Public Affairs of the Police Service, DSP Cephas Arthur, said the suspects are believed to be behind the recent increase in forged DVLA road worthiness stickers.

“Preliminary investigation points to the fact that, these illegal DVLA road-worthiness certificate dealers seem to have laid hands on the soft copy of the Authority's sticker, which they are using to print their fake ones, making them look true-to-type.” the statement said.

The suspects have since been granted bail, pending further investigations.

The Police Service has also cautioned the public to desist from dealing with unauthorized people for certification.

Find below the full statement from the police

The Police has arrested 28 fake Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority [DVLA] Certificate and Sticker dealers in an operation mounted in Accra and Tema around the Authority's premises.

Among the 28 are seven females and 21 males, whose ages range from 21 to 31 years. Items ranging from printers, photocopy machines, trimming machines, computers, DVLA roadworthiness certificates and stickers, mobile phones and other office equipment were retrieved by the Police.

The suspects, who operate from containers, are suspected to be behind the recent proliferation of seeming genuine DVLA roadworthiness stickers in use of late.

It was observed that, lately many of the vehicle whose roadworthiness certificate are due for renewal do not go to the designated outlets to renew them, yet they are spotted operating with the said document. Investigations revealed that these stickers are procured from other sources apart from the approved ones.

Preliminary investigation points to the fact that, these illegal DVLA roadworthiness certificate dealers seem to have laid hands on the soft copy of the Authority's sticker, which they are using to print their fake ones, making them look true-to-type.

The suspects have been cautioned and granted bail, pending further investigation, and necessary action. It must be noted that the activities of these criminals are causing the State to lose revenue, and also resulting in fatalities of our roads as some defective vehicles are unduly cleared.

The public, especially motorists, are advised to go to only DVLA Private Test garages for the testing of their vehicles and certification. Meanwhile all fake dealers should be uncovered and reported to the nearest Police Station for the necessary action.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana