Black Country motor firm family members arrested over alleged 'car scam'

West Midlands Police raided five of NSV motor's business premises in Wolverhampton and Walsall yesterday.

It is alleged they are behind a fake car sales scam where bogus vehicles are placed on web auction sites.

Officers were granted a warrant to raid the premises following complaints from around 120 car buyers and motorists.

Fifty of these also claimed the firm – an engine recon specialist – had allegedly hiked prices and seized vehicles when customers have refused to pay the inflated bills.

A 65-year-old man was arrested at a house in Compton, Wolverhampton, while his sons aged 38, 32 and 22 were detained from addresses in Finchfield and Walsall.

A 35-year-old woman was also arrested from Finchfield.

They have all been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.

They have been bailed until February 9 pending further inquiries.

The investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Helen Ainsworth, said: "It's alleged vehicles have been put up for sale online but that after money has changed hands all correspondence has ceased and the intended buyer never receives the vehicle. It's suspected the cars are never really for sale.

"We're also looking at complaints from around 50 motorists – from all across the country – that initial estimates were later increased by thousands of pounds and that cars have been seized and even sold by the company.

"At the moment we're looking at around 120 potential victims but we'd be keen to hear from anyone else who believes they have been conned. We understand the company also trades as Engine Recon Wolverhampton."

Homes in Finchfield Gardens and Richmond Road, Wolverhampton, plus Bentley Mill Lane in Walsall were searched during yesterday's warrants.