The owner of a car dealership in Opmeer must pay 975,000 euros and perform 200 hours of community service. Criminal investigations have revealed that his dealership has been manipulating the mileage of cars on a large scale. Many car buyers were misled, believing they were purchasing a car that had not been driven much, while in reality, the mileage was much higher. As a result, the dealership was able to sell the cars for a higher price than their actual value, leading customers to pay too much.
In 2021, a criminal investigation was initiated by the FIOD and the district police in Alkmaar, under the direction of the Public Prosecution Service in North Holland. A.H., the 57-year-old owner of the dealership, was arrested on January 25, 2022. Two days later, he was released but remained a suspect.
On the day of the mans arrest, searches were conducted in his home and business. This included the seizure of the companys records. Based on this, an investigation was conducted into the unlawfully obtained profits. The investigation revealed that at least 1,073 cars were sold with manipulated mileage. In total, 26 buyers filed complaints, stating they purchased the car partly due to the low mileage.
Criminal Offenses
The criminal investigation has revealed the following offenses according to the Public Prosecution Service: Fraud (manipulating the mileage with the intent to sell the cars for an inflated price), money laundering (due to the money earned by the man), and altering mileage (art. 70m of the Road Traffic Act).
Appropriate Resolution
The transaction with punishment and recovery of unlawfully obtained profits is seen by the Public Prosecution Service as an appropriate resolution. It is a punishment that reflects the seriousness of the offenses. Additionally, the complainants are compensated. The criminal response includes a punitive component (community service and fine) and a financial recovery component (seizing criminal profits). Through the imposition of punishment and the recovery of criminal profits, the past is addressed. It is clear that the suspect will not escape accountability for committing criminal offenses and must repay the unethically earned profits.
The fine amounts to €75,000. The amount seized due to criminal profits is €900,000. Additionally, the suspect must perform a community service of 200 hours. The suspect has already paid nearly €50,000 in compensation to victims and has completed his community service of 200 hours.