In a significant bust, UK authorities have successfully recovered and repatriated a fleet of 30 luxury cars, valued at £6.5 million, that had been fraudulently acquired and exported to Thailand. The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (Navcis) revealed that this sophisticated scheme involved cars, including a £220,000 Lamborghini Huracán Spyder, alongside other high-end brands like Porsche, Mercedes, and Ford. These vehicles, initially financed fraudulently from UK dealerships and a luxury car hire company in 2016-2017, were transported to Thailand, where they were resold through legitimate dealerships by an international gang reportedly comprising both Thai and British members.

The investigation, dubbed Operation Titanium, was launched following the discovery of four stolen Mercedes at the Port of Southampton. This pivotal find led to a broader international probe with Thai authorities, uncovering a criminal network transporting UK cars to Bangkok via sea and air freight.

After an eight-year investigation, all 30 vehicles have been returned to the UK. The Lamborghini will be returned to its original owner, a luxury car rental business owner who faced significant financial loss due to the fraud. The rest of the vehicles are being returned to their respective dealerships.

Sharon Naughton, head of Navcis, underscored that the crime was not “victimless,” with individuals and businesses suffering serious financial consequences. The UK police also noted that this was part of a broader trend, citing a recent £2 million fraud ring involving the theft of 75 luxury cars in the UK through stolen credit identities, illustrating the high demand for British vehicles in Thailand, where UK car models appeal due to similar driving orientations.