Kochi: A fresh case linked to the smuggling of luxury vehicles from Bhutan has surfaced in Kerala, with a Kochi resident alleging that he was cheated of ₹14 lakh after being sold a Toyota Land Cruiser falsely claimed to be a diplomatic vehicle. The complaint has been registered at the Ernakulam Central Police Station, and the case forms part of the wider action against illegally imported vehicles under Operation Numkhor led by the Customs department.
The complainant, a 22-year-old resident of Edappally, has accused a New Delhi–based used-car dealer of criminal breach of trust and cheating. According to the complaint, the dealer deliberately misrepresented the vehicle as one previously used by an Indian embassy abroad, a claim that was used to justify a lower price and persuade the buyer to proceed with the purchase.
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Transaction Details: Payments Made in Multiple Instalments
Records related to the case indicate that the transaction took place in several stages between June and July 2024. The buyer initially paid ₹50,000 in cash on June 29. This was followed by a bank transfer of ₹4.5 lakh to the dealer’s account on July 1.
At the time of delivery, an additional ₹5 lakh was paid in cash by a friend of the complainant, while the remaining ₹4 lakh was transferred through banking channels on the same day. The total amount paid for the vehicle thus came to ₹14 lakh.
The dealer allegedly assured the buyer that the vehicle was legally imported, competitively priced, and easier to resell due to its purported diplomatic use. Relying on these assurances, the buyer took possession of the SUV. However, serious concerns regarding the vehicle’s legality and documentation emerged shortly thereafter.
Customs Seizure Exposes Illegal Import
Soon after the purchase, Customs authorities seized the vehicle, which was bearing a Himachal Pradesh registration number. Subsequent verification revealed that the Land Cruiser had been illegally imported into India from Bhutan without payment of mandatory customs duties and taxes.
Investigations carried out under Operation Numkhor revealed that several high-end SUVs had been brought into the country through similar means. These vehicles were allegedly re-registered using forged or manipulated documents to conceal their true origin and bypass regulatory scrutiny.
In the present case, authorities confirmed that the vehicle had no connection whatsoever with any diplomatic mission, directly contradicting the claims made at the time of sale. Following this confirmation, the SUV was formally seized as part of the ongoing crackdown on smuggled luxury vehicles.
Operation Numkhor and the Smuggling Network
The case is believed to be linked to a broader organised network targeted under Operation Numkhor, a Customs-led initiative aimed at curbing the illegal import of luxury vehicles from Bhutan. The operation focuses on identifying smuggling routes, forged documentation practices, and tax evasion linked to high-value automobiles.
Sources familiar with the investigation say smugglers exploit relatively weaker enforcement or tax differentials in neighbouring regions. Vehicles are often first registered in northern states using fabricated No Objection Certificates or altered records, before being sold in southern markets, including Kerala, at prices that appear attractive to buyers.
Several luxury vehicles have already been seized as part of this operation, and further action is expected as investigations progress.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Based on the complaint, a case has been registered against the Delhi-based dealer under provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to cheating and criminal breach of trust. Investigating agencies are scrutinising bank transactions, vehicle records, registration documents, and other related evidence.
Coordination is also underway with Customs authorities to trace the supply chain and identify others who may have been affected by similar fraudulent transactions.
Advisory for Buyers
Enforcement agencies have issued a caution to the public, urging buyers to exercise extreme care while purchasing pre-owned or luxury vehicles, particularly when sellers claim diplomatic or government usage to justify lower prices.
Buyers have been advised to independently verify import records, customs clearance, registration details, and ownership history before completing any transaction. Failure to do so could result not only in financial loss but also in the seizure of the vehicle by authorities.
