Foreign Gang Caught Selling 'Dapocha' Cars with Canceled License Plates to Evade Crackdowns

2 Arrested, 16 Sent to Prosecution Without Detention
Police Seize 14 Pairs of Vehicle License Plates

A group of foreigners who sold ghost cars with canceled license plates and illegal immigrants who purchased them were collectively handed over to the prosecution.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Criminal Mobile Unit announced on the 11th that two sellers of ghost cars and 14 illegal immigrants who purchased them were sent to the prosecution on charges including special theft and violation of the Automobile Management Act. Four scrapyard owners who poorly managed license plates were also handed over to the prosecution for violating the Automobile Management Act. Among them, two sellers were detained, while the remaining 16 were sent to the prosecution without detention.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Criminal Mobile Unit announced on the 11th that they seized a total of 14 pairs of stolen license plates from a group involved in selling "daepocha" vehicles and their buyers.
[Image source=Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency]

According to the police, illegal immigrants in their 20s, Mr. A and Mr. B, and a long-term resident in his 30s, Mr. C, are suspected of buying foreign cars pawned at gambling establishments at low prices from July 2022 to last March, then attaching stolen license plates from scrapyards and selling them.

They exploited the fact that attaching canceled license plates could evade police crackdowns and sold vehicles to illegal immigrants. All members of this group are from Central Asia; two, including Mr. A, were caught by the police, but Mr. C fled overseas.

Police investigations revealed that they posted on social networking services (SNS) that they were "selling safe ghost cars that do not get caught in crackdowns," and confirmed that they concluded sales contracts for a total of 23 vehicles. They sold ghost cars for a minimum of 3 million KRW to a maximum of 9 million KRW per vehicle.

The police seized a total of seven vehicles and 14 pairs of license plates from the sellers and illegal immigrants who purchased the ghost cars. Additionally, an arrest warrant was issued for Mr. C, who is currently on the run overseas, and he has been placed on a wanted list with measures to notify authorities upon his entry into the country.

The police stated, "We have notified the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to ensure systematic management of the disposal of canceled vehicles," and added, "We plan to conduct a strict investigation into crimes related to vehicle distribution."