**Fraudster Who Mocked Victims Jailed After Selling Dozens of Dangerous Cars**
A Flintshire man who sold dozens of unsafe, write-off vehicles to unsuspecting buyers, then laughed off their complaints, has been sentenced to four years in prison after a lengthy investigation by trading standards and police. The case, heard at Mold Crown Court, has brought to light the alarming extent of fraudulent behaviour within segments of the used car market, leaving many buyers out of pocket and potentially at serious risk.
The convicted fraudster, Zana Muhammed, 42, of Princes Street, Flint, operated his deceptive trade for more than two years. According to the prosecution, Muhammed acquired vehicles from salvage auctions, many of which had previously been involved in major accidents or classified as insurance write-offs due to structural damage. Instead of informing customers of these crucial details, he sold the vehicles via online marketplaces such as Facebook and eBay, using the forecourt of a disused ambulance station near his home as his base of operations.
Prosecutor Lee Reynolds detailed to the court how Muhammed’s customers would almost certainly have either walked away or negotiated far lower prices had they been aware of the cars’ true condition. Problems documented ranged from dangerous faults with steering, brakes and suspension to severe cosmetic and structural issues. For those who discovered problems and sought redress, the response was invariably hostile.
The prosecution stated that Muhammed’s tactics in dealing with complaints involved a combination of “falsifications and lies”. In many reported cases, rather than offering refunds or genuine compensation, he became aggressive, abusive, and is said to have openly laughed at the misfortune of his victims. When buyers threatened to involve the authorities, he brazenly claimed that “the police are not a thing to him”, implying a sense of invulnerability.
One particularly harrowing account came from a mother of three whose vehicle broke down on a 60mph road, barely reaching safety after discovering her car was unfit for the road. Another incident involved a first-time car buyer, just 17 years old, who paid £5,000 for a car she later discovered to be a write-off. In total, official statements referenced 19 individual vehicles, but the prosecution believes there are at least 36 more victims connected to Muhammed’s operation, with car sales totalling around £300,000.
To evade detection, Muhammed assumed multiple aliases, including Carwyn Rahman and Ali Kareem, and established several front companies. Ultimately, investigators were able to trace all activity back to his true identity after persistent and careful research.
Trading standards and local authorities had previously tried to intervene. Advisory letters were sent to Muhammed’s business address in December 2021 and hand delivered to his home in April 2022 after complaints mounted. Yet, Muhammed claimed to have never received the correspondence, dismissing the evidence as accidental loss.
During sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts described Muhammed as having been persistently dishonest over two years, highlighting a complete lack of remorse in his pre-sentence report. The judge remarked that the defendant had shown no willingness to accept responsibility for his actions, instead inflicting huge emotional and financial harm on trusting members of the public.
Defence counsel Michael Whitty urged the court to consider the impact of a prison sentence on Muhammed’s wife and children. However, the seriousness and persistence of the fraud won little sympathy from the court. The judge confirmed that further hearings under the Proceeds of Crime Act would follow later this year, aiming to address potential compensation and confiscation of assets acquired during the criminal enterprise.
This case underlines the significance of stringent checks for those purchasing second-hand vehicles and highlights the crucial work of trading standards and law enforcement in protecting consumers from dangerous and dishonest trading practices. With the court’s decision, justice has been delivered—although for Muhammed’s many victims, the financial and emotional repercussions may linger far longer.