Ombudsman report reveals VicRoads flaws have allowed crooks to steal cars

Crooks have been using outdated VicRoads processes to steal cars and transfer registrations into their own names under a flaw that continues to expose drivers to theft. Here’s how they do it.

Crooks have been using outdated VicRoads processes to steal cars and transfer registrations into their own names under a flaw that continues to expose drivers to theft.

A new report from the Victorian Ombudsman has revealed fraud has become a major issue for the roads body, with frustrated motorists complaining their vehicles had changed hands without their knowledge.

Fraudsters have relied on the ability to file registration transfers to VicRoads without a complete set of information and nearly 200,000 cars are now swapped around without full documentation every year.

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In some cases vehicles have moved between several owners without any of the people involved applying to change their registrations.

The Ombudsman first recommended changes to this system in 2005.

Melbourne man Gavin Sheehan has had four cars transferred in what he said was a clear breach of processes in 2017.

In some cases vehicles have moved between several owners without any of the people involved apply to change their registrations. Generic picture

Mr Sheehan said bogus signatures were used in the theft of his Mercedes-Benzes, which he has been unable to recover.

“They’ve transferred these vehicles without a roadworthy and without fees being paid.

“They transferred them immediately on presentation of the papers by the perpetrator.”

“This sort of thing happens in no other state in Australia.”

“Due to this lack of updating their system, they are currently aiding and abetting theft of motor vehicles in the state of Victoria.”

The Herald Sun revealed last year how $5 million in trucks and trailers was stolen from a Melbourne transport company operator.

False signatures were tendered by the thieves and the Ombudsman will continue to investigate how the fleet was transferred out of his ownership without proper documentation.

The owner said he had still not recovered some of his stock, his frustration compounded by sometimes seeing it being driven by others out on Melbourne roads.

“What a joke,” the businessman told the Herald Sun on Wednesday.

Ombudsman Deborah Glass said some of the issues discovered would not be fixed without major investment.

“But given the number of people affected by these issues, and the human cost of VicRoads’ shortcomings, we have encouraged them to look for interim solutions as well as long-term ones,” she said.

A VicRoads spokeswoman said the body was committed to improving its performance.

“VicRoads processes over 26 million transactions simply and efficiently each year but we accept, in a small number of cases, we can do better. “

A spokeswoman said the Andrews Government was also exploring ways to better integrate licensing and registration with the newly established Service Victoria system.

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