MUSCAT : Authorities in Oman have warned of a rise in car rental fraud cases, with criminals using forged documents to obtain vehicles, disable tracking systems and either dismantle them for parts or smuggle them out of the country.

Brigadier Jamal bin Habib Al Quraishi, Director General of Criminal Investigation at the Royal Oman Police (ROP), said investigators have uncovered multiple cases in which suspects rented vehicles using falsified contracts and identification papers before seizing the cars.

“Some individuals rent vehicles using forged documents, disable tracking systems and then take possession of the vehicles,” Al Quraishi said, adding that stolen cars are often stripped for spare parts, fitted with new number plates or transported across borders.

Police said the trend poses increasing risks to rental agencies, particularly when due diligence is not strictly followed during the leasing process.

Al Quraishi urged companies to thoroughly verify all customer documents and ensure passports carry valid entry visas before completing rental agreements.

Authorities also highlighted a growing number of fraud schemes targeting individuals, where citizens and residents are persuaded to lease their personal vehicles for attractive returns, only to later discover the vehicles have been taken using fake contracts and have disappeared.

The ROP said it is stepping up monitoring and enforcement, while continuing coordination with international agencies to track stolen vehicles and apprehend suspects involved in cross-border crimes.

Officials stressed that vigilance by rental agencies and vehicle owners remains critical in curbing such crimes, alongside the adoption of advanced tracking and security systems.

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