West Kensington Car Clockers Sent to Jail
Pair reduced mileage on cars and provided false documentation
Two rogue car salesmen found guilty of selling 'clocked' cars in West Kensington have been jailed, following an extensive investigation by Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
Erk Dymiter, 24, and Krystian Skowronski, 28, were each given 18 month sentences at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday January 8 for 'clocking' second-hand cars by reducing the mileage.
They also provided false documentation when selling the BMWs, Audis and Mercedes in West Kensington.
The racket was uncovered following a collaborative three year investigation by Hammersmith & Fulham Council's trading standards and anti-fraud teams and national agencies.
At the same court in November, both defendants admitted conspiracy to defraud and Mr Skowronski admitted a further charge of money laundering.
Both Mr Skowronski, of Gibbs Green, West Kensington and Mr Dymiter, of Cheesemans Terrace, West Kensington, used false names and telephone numbers to hide their identities and the cars were sold with false MOTs and service histories and in some cases, the mileages had been reduced by as much as 100,000 miles.
Evidence showed the pair had tampered with at least 15 cars and are believed to have pocketed thousands of pounds through the scam.
Following complaints from the public, an investigation was launched, led by Hammersmith & Fulham’s Trading Standards in partnership with the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team, supported by the National Trading Standards, tri-regional scambusters team and the National Trading Standards E-Crime unit.
The scam was uncovered following raids by Trading Standards in September 2013, on two addresses in West Kensington and one in Ealing.
The pair had advertised cars on Autrotrader and Gumtree and then met potential buyers in various locations in West Kensington.
" This sentence is a tremendous result and demonstrates our determination to protect residents and stop honest businesses facing unfair competition from criminals," says
Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Residents’ Services.
To avoid buying a clocked car yourself, check the MOT history of any car for free on your mobile phone. Make sure there are no discrepancies between the mileage on the speedometer and that shown on the previous MOTs.
If you are concerned about buying a car and want some advice or if you suspect a car has been clocked please contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service line on 03454 04 05 06.
January 22, 2016
