Auto trader with cases before court reported to police for similar offences.

Several reports of fraud have been made to the Half-Way Tree CIB against the Hush Auto Network car mart located off Eastwood Park Road.

The reports have been made by persons who claim that their vehicles have been sold and they have not received any money. The owner, known only as 'Dennis', has been charged with fraudulent conversion before. He has cases pending before the court and is to reappear later this month. Since his last court appearance earlier this year, the police have received two more complaints.

aware of complaints

When contacted, the Half-Way Tree Police said they were aware of the reports.

"Yes, I know of this case with the dealer in question. However, I get the feeling that many persons are entering into these agreements or transactions without proper understanding," Detective Inspector W. Francis of the Half-Way Tree Police said.

"This simply means that the persons who are selling their used vehicles will say, sell this for me and I'll collect the money one time. Persons do not understand that the car dealer may, in return, sell that vehicle under an instalment policy and the buyer of the vehicle may even get the vehicle before full payment is completed. This will pose a problem as the car dealer may seem unscrupulous in his actions when it's only based on the agreement."

He added that, "In relation to the car dealer 'Dennis', most of the reports that we get, we refer to civil proceedings for them to sue and for some matters we arrest him. We cannot close down the business, only the court can decide what happens and the matter is still in court."

One complainant recently told THE STAR that he brought his used vehicle to Hush Auto Network car mart because he did not have the time to meet with persons who would have wanted to view the car. It was agreed that the vehicle would be sold for a fee and the amount would be paid in full.

bounced cheque

The victim told the STAR that he received part payment in the form of a cheque which later bounced. He was also told that the rest of payment would be received at a later date. The STAR understands that the owner of the vehicle has only been receiving small payments up to this date.

Efforts to contact Dennis were unsuccessful as calls to his phone went unanswered or went to voice mail. A visit to his establishment was also unsuccessful as he was said to be out of office.