BBC Investigations reporter Jim Wheble uncovered that online retailer Amazon is prohibiting the sale of car number plates on its platform after an investigation revealed illegal supply practices. The investigation revealed that seven companies on Amazon were distributing plates without verifying customers’ documents to confirm their legal entitlement.
According to UK regulations, it is illegal for companies to supply number plates without physically inspecting documents such as a driver’s license or V5 document. As a result of the investigation, Amazon confirmed that all products from the seven companies highlighted in the investigation have been removed, and the sale of all number plates, except novelty plates, will cease.
The illegal supply of number plates creates an opportunity for criminals to clone plates and affix them to similar-looking vehicles. This deceptive practice results in innocent vehicle owners receiving fines and penalties meant for the actual offenders. Last year, there was a 64% increase in fines canceled due to car cloning incidents in London, as reported by the BBC.
Labour MP Ruth Cadbury described the findings from the investigation as “hugely troubling.” The investigation found that several companies, such as Defence Line, Domo Corporation, SLS UK Holdings, and Plastic Services, provided plates without requesting any documentation. Official Plates, Petallica Express, and Reg Locker were among the companies that either failed to ask for documents or disregarded the need for proper verification processes. Plastic Services and SLS UK Holdings Ltd were found to be operated by acquaintances Jordan Daykin and Macorley Bivens, respectively. Despite being approached for comment, neither Daykin nor Bivens responded to the BBC’s inquiries
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
