The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has successfully recovered more than 100 luxury vehicles that were illegally shipped into Ghana under questionable circumstances. The Office is currently investigating nearly 300 other suspected cases in collaboration with Interpol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
In an interview with Graphic Online, the Head of Legal and Prosecutions at EOCO, Leo Antony Siamah, urged the public to be vigilant when purchasing vehicles, particularly high-end models, to avoid becoming complicit in criminal activities.
He cautioned against individuals posing as EOCO officials and seizing cars under false pretenses, stressing the need for verification of their identity before cooperating with them.
Explaining how the syndicates operate, Mr. Siamah said most of the cars are stolen in the United States and Canada when their owners are away, then shipped into Ghana using forged documents. In many cases, the owners remain unaware of the theft until the vehicles are already in the hands of unsuspecting buyers.
He noted that while EOCO works with the Ghana Revenue Authority, port officials and other security agencies to tighten verification procedures, the responsibility ultimately lies with buyers to conduct due diligence before making purchases.
He listed some of the brands often targeted in these schemes, including Mercedes-Benz, Bentley, Lexus, Rolls-Royce, BMW X7 and X8, Ford F150, Cadillac Escalade, Dodge Ram and Honda CR-V. Warning signs, he said, include unusually low prices, incomplete documentation, and tampered or mismatched Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs).
He also encouraged potential buyers to check vehicle histories online through platforms such as Carfax, AutoCheck and the National Insurance Crime Bureau of the USA, and to contact Interpol or EOCO directly for final verification.
Mr. Siamah dismissed suggestions that EOCO was arbitrarily seizing vehicles, emphasising that the agency was only carrying out its legal mandate. He added that EOCO has intensified engagement with car dealers and garage owners to educate them on the risks of handling stolen vehicles.
He called for wider public cooperation, pointing out that the issue tarnishes Ghana’s image internationally, with owners of such vehicles often unfairly viewed in a negative light even when they purchased them in good faith.
Beyond recovering stolen cars, EOCO continues to pursue proceeds of crime in line with its legal mandate under Act 804. This includes offences such as money laundering, tax fraud, human trafficking, cybercrime and financial loss to the state.
Mr. Siamah explained that EOCO also conducts lifestyle audits to investigate individuals whose assets appear inconsistent with their declared income, though challenges remain due to cross-border transactions, complex ownership structures and resource limitations.
He urged the public to collaborate more closely with EOCO, noting that enhanced cooperation is critical for the agency to fulfil its role. Ghana and the wider West African region have already been flagged as hotspots for stolen vehicles, with Interpol operations earlier this year leading to the detection of 150 stolen luxury vehicles across several countries, including Ghana, and the seizure of more than 75 cars.
