Parbin Chand: Plumpton Smash Repairs owner stole $200,000 from customers
A western Sydney smash repairer ripped off customers more than $200,000 in a sham ‘ghost car’ scheme. He tricked unsuspecting buyers into purchasing Tesla sports cars and Audis for a few grand, but the vehicles never existed.
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Editor’s Note: The original version of this article included a photograph of Mr Shaheed Hussein, the current owner of JS Smash Repairs, in error. The Blacktown Advocate accepts that Mr Hussein is not the former owner of the business – Parbin Chand – who was jailed for the fraud reported in this article and sincerely apologises to Mr Hussein for the hurt and embarrassment caused by the error.
A once-respected western Sydney smash repairs businessman who defrauded more than $200,000 from a string of victims by selling them cars that didn’t exist, will spend his first night behind bars.
Parbin Chand, 58, formerly of Oakhurst, who operated Plumpton Smash Repairs in Rooty Hill until late 2019, faced up to a decade behind bars after admitting to stealing tens of thousands of dollars from four victims over two years through the ‘ghost car’ scheme.
On Monday, Chand was jailed for a minimum for 18 months after Magistrate Vivien Swain found no sentence other than full-time imprisonment to be an appropriate punishment for his crime.
He pleaded guilty to one count of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
His fall from grace as a one-time successful businessman was heard in court, with his defence describing how his 13 years in automotive repairs began to collapse financially several years ago, leading him to defraud business contacts and a relative.
The court heard Mr Chand’s modus operandi was to offer non-existent, late-model, often luxury cars for sale at well-below market prices, before lying to his victims about delays in the delivery of the vehicles.
According to court papers, Mr Chand used customers’ vehicles at his business as “bait”, suggesting the cars were for sale and offering them for test drives.
After pocketing the cash, he would concoct made-up delivery dates for the cars, which never materialised.
By convincing his victims he could source cars through his industry and auction contacts, Mr Chand made outrageous offers such being able to acquire 10 late-model Lexus vehicles for $8000 each and 2018 Tesla sports cars for just $6000.
In some instances, when suspicions were raised among his victims, Mr Chand would create fabricated phone calls with unknown people at the end of the call authenticating the sale to the unsuspecting customers.
Swamped by debts, including $80,000 owing to the tax office, in December 2019, Mr Chand fled to Queensland and declared bankruptcy.
Bank records in 2018-19 revealed Mr Chand had overdrawn accounts, numerous dishonest payments and cheques and credit card debts of more than $25,000.
None of the vehicles promised to the victims arrived and Mr Chand only paid $15,000 back to his first victim after being confronted over the scam.
Mr Chand’s defence lawyer told Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday that he intended to pay back his victims and was selling off his properties to acquire the funds.
“Mr Chand’s business was failing – he was the sole director of the business and had a very difficult time in telling his family about the status of the business and his offending conduct,” the defence said.
“His character references describe him as a hardworking, caring family man.
“This would explain his offending behaviour. Because of his pride, he had difficulties speaking to family members about why the business was failing.”
In sentencing, Magistrate Swain slammed his actions when considering whether he would serve his sentence in jail or in the community.
“The defendant abused a position of trust in relations to each of the four victims,” she said.
“Mr Chand must be made accountable for his actions and his conduct in relation to the dishonesty to these four victims and the substantial financial loss that each one suffered,” she said.
I am not satisfied Mr Chand would be adequately punished by way of an intensive corrections order.”
The earliest date he will be eligible for release is April 2022.