Taxi Driver Online

10-10-08 Garage owner guilty of biggest ever MOT fraud

A garage owner was found guilty of three counts of conspiracy to defraud at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday 8 October, after an investigation by the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and West Yorkshire Police.

Roobik Mirzabegi, 51, of Old Lane, Beeston in Leeds, used four garages in the city to issue thousands of invalid MOT certificates for vehicles that were not properly tested. He is believed to have made vast sums of money due to the scale of the operation. Sentencing will take place at a later date.

His brother, Hakop Mirzabaigian, was also found guilty of forgery and was fined £6,500. Ten other men received sentences in January for their involvement in the case.

Alex Fiddes, VOSA Chief Operating Officer said:

"I am delighted with the result of this joint investigation between VOSA and West Yorkshire Police. It sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate abuse of the MOT scheme. Fortunately, this is a rare case and VOSA is committed to working with legitimate businesses to ensure road safety."

I'm not sure the MOT system allows such a fraud to happen now, as it only allows one check per ramp to be booked into the DVLA database.

I think.

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IDFIMH

You're right, I think

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

he must havebeen "open" (but shut) on sundays, or entering false details on a certain pass car to fool the VOSA (if brake+smoke tests are cyber-logged), i know the testers have to have a smartcard/chip and pin, but unless VOSA can actually see whats on a ramp.....

and VOSA only allow 2 per hour, maybe 3, per ramp