Tracking stolen cars: How they could end up in West Africa (Marketplace)

CORRECTION ON APRIL 28, 2022: The original broadcast of this story on March 25, 2022 showed a brief visual of Banix Motors, a car dealership in Lagos, Nigeria. The visual was inadvertently used in a segment that discusses how some stolen vehicles from Canada are being resold overseas. That visual has since been removed. Banix Motors have indicated that they have never been associated with the sale of stolen vehicles from Canada and CBC never intended to associate Banix Motors with our investigation.

Cars stolen from driveways and shopping malls in Canada are ending up overseas. Some of the most-stolen vehicles include the Honda CR-V, Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX and Ford F-150. Marketplace has found stolen Canadian vehicles in West Africa. Highly organized criminal gangs are using the proceeds to fund and commit other crimes. We show how quick and easy it is for thieves to make off with vehicles using inexpensive tools that are readily available and ask why carmakers aren’t doing more to enhance security.

#CarSecurity #CarTheft #CBCMarketplace

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[benjaminw]

"The problem isn't the car being in Africa, the problem is the Customs in the Canadian ports where these cars get loaded."
Totally agree!!!

[miyenakeke]

The thieves have connivers in the Customs to have been able to export the stolen vehicles. The investigation should go further and investigate how the stolen vehicles leave the shores of Canada to Lagos, Nigeria.

[-SP.]

One of the most infuriating parts of watching this is how a buyer could be driving a stolen car without knowing and be charged for it.

[maxineadderley]

It’s one thing for criminals to steal a vehicle, but is there no guidelines on shipping them out of the country? How can so many vehicles be shipped out of the country without proper documentation?

[nickforlife]

Imagine the person watching this and see his car in Africa with his plates still on the car.... man is punching air right now

[stanislavschaefer]

The problem isn't the car being in Africa, the problem is the Customs in the Canadian ports where these cars get loaded.

[takoleta]

The problem is those allowing the thieves to export the vehicles, it should never shipped until it is cleared up.

[BaldVulture]

Imagine how much drugs they can smuggle if they can so easily smuggle a whole stolen car with it's tags on...

[babatundeayoola]

The BIGGEST GAP in this report is HOW these stolen vehicles leave the shores of Canada in the first place. And HOW Come it has gone on for so LONG??

[mrbaibureh]

As soon as he said West Africa, Nigeria was the first thing that came to my mind

[taiwoolorunyomi]

I'm Nigerian and have been checking different websites and car sellers to buy a Lexus RX or ES. I have always wondered why they are so expensive even when they are not brand new. As a result of this documentary, I'm having a rethink. I don't ever want to be told I bought a stolen car even when the customs paper and other accompanying documents seem genuine. Something needs to be done about this in Nigeria to discourage innocent buyers from purchasing imported stolen cars!

[gsthMD]

this is scary as hell to think you can save your hard earned cash to buy a car only to have it stolen and shipped to another country. manufactures need to step up their security game or be held accountable.

[prestonpowers]

Often the cars are hidden in containers when they arrive to the shipping yard. Some times the workers are in on it. In fact, Almost every operation like this will have AT LEAST one corrupted person on payroll.

[mauricedalzot]

Stolen vehicles exiting Canada through the Port of Montreal has been going on for at least the last forty years. This could only keep happing if the local authorities are complicit in allowing these stolen cars through the Port. Also why are Honda Toyota. BMW Nigeria supplying parts and service to these vehicles which have VIN numbers that indicate they are stolen.

[herecomment]

Such crimes can not take place without involvement of several key authorities (e.g police, customs). An object of this size and weight can not pass customs without any suspicions.

[Hillnaw]

Thus means a lot of people at the Canadian port is clearly involved. Otherwise, it would never be so easy to do. Arrest need to start at the ports in Canada with mandatory prison time no less than 20 years. Tuff consequences will at the least stop some.

[sourcelee]

This is a very important topic that will affect everyone's life in canada! Our street was attacked one week ago and four cars got damaged and one stolen, these thieves must be stopped!

[aneet]

The investigation should go beyond this and into how these cars get on the ships, and get out of the country. How these shipments get clearence and all other things about it.

[enrico]

The very question is: how is possible those cars left Canada without controls?

[patnelson]

They need to make an episode that shows what gadgets you can buy to protect your car from being stolen.