Back in May, BVLRA put out one of their fraud RISC alert messages concerning an innocent company who had unwittingly become the victim of an identity fraud. Fraudsters used their details to deceive several finance and leasing companies into financing vehicles; some of these were Legate’s clients. This was a complex and multi-faceted investigation resulting in the discovery  of 10 missing Tesla vehicles. In a coordinated recovery operation working closely with our collection partners Wrights Recoveries UK , we were able to repossess the Teslas from various locations across the UK. Despite the challenges posed by a multiple vehicle case such as this, it culminated in a great result for our clients. A special thanks to Wrights for resourcing and effectively meeting the logistical challenges involved at such short notice.  

Its not just cars, vans and lorries our clients ask us to find, its plant and agricultural vehicles too! Plant items are notoriously difficult to find and made more challenging by the absence of telematics! After a bit of digging around we managed to locate and recover this JCB from the middle of a field. Working closely with the  National Construction & Agricultural Theft team [NCAT] who facilitated on site police support, we were able to recover the asset swiftly. Not forgetting J & G Euro who actually did the heavy lifting and smoothly removed the excavator from the site. A great example of what can be achieved with a combined commercial and law enforcement partnership approach.  

This Scania tractor unit and trailer disappeared from the Northwest back in November. Applying a bit of lateral thinking, joining the dots and good old fashioned, no frills, no telematics detective work, we were able to track it down to a haulage depot in central Greece. Great collaborative working and engagement with all concerned, not least our agent in Greece. A bit of poetic justice inspired the following few lines; “In Greece, this Scania found its rest,  A land afar, a foreign nest. Though miles apart, in distant lands, It stood, reclaimed now, by rightful hands.  Oh, Scania lorry, now at ease,  Your travels end, your troubles cease. You’ve found your home in Wigan now, Your final resting place at peace.” 

Subject to an insurance claim following its theft in London, this Range Rover bearing false plates was recovered in France.

This Audi R8 proved to be very elusive, when it was eventually recovered bearing false number plates… it had been resprayed! The driver who had previously threatened to assault agents attempting to recover the vehicle was wanted for serious drugs offences and arrested. A good result for our client and the public!

This BMW was located and recovered from Gran Canaria, Spain following a protracted enquiry involving international partners. Legate made the almost impossible in this particular case, possible!  

This Caterham sports car was seized in Spain on behalf of a client who had given up all hope of recovering their asset.

Following a coordinated operation with the Met’s Serious Vehicle Crime Unit this Mercedes Benz fitted with cloned plates was stopped by police and the occupants arrested. Inside the vehicle police discovered seven sets of false number plates and the vehicle had been involved in criminality prior to the subject’s arrest.

Patience is known to be a virtue; on occasions, chipping away at a case with few leads bears fruit. This Bentley that was hidden away was recovered from a remote rural location after several months working closely with the client and police. This is a great example of collaborative working with the client and law enforcement to bring about a tremendous result following a significant development in the investigation. Hopefully the next one will be a little easier….!!

This vehicle was found in a nondescript warehouse in London’s East End. Access was gained to the premises and several stolen vehicles including this Hummer Limousine was located. Due to its size, recovery presented our repossession agents with a logistical headache.

After a client received multiple alerts from traders looking to purchase one of their missing vehicles, Legate were instructed to locate and recover it before any sale could be agreed. After an exhaustive and thorough investigation led us no closer to a resolution, Legate reported the theft of the vehicle to the Metropolitan Police. What followed was a joint operation between Legate and Met officers which culminated in the successful seizure of the vehicle.

This Lamborghini Aventador was seized and recovered following a protracted joint operation with the Met Police Serious Vehicle Crime Unit. The vehicle had been hidden languishing in a central London location and was extremely difficult to find.

An asset was traced and recovered following two months of continuous covert checking by local agents, under direction of Legate Group, against the backdrop of prior unsuccessful attempts by other agents. An aggressive and not so innocent new keeper had reported that the vehicle had been purchased from the original customer in lieu of jewellery.  Having sighted and immediately clamped the asset, the agents on the scene were subject to immediate intimidation and threats of violence but Northumbria Police Officers responded promptly and having satisfied themselves of the agent’s credentials and right to proceed with uplift, dispersed the gathered mob and allowed the agent to complete the repossession for an extremely pleased Client.

This vehicle was seized by Hampshire Police having previously been reported stolen by Legate. Our case manager continued the search for the vehicle and, following local enquiries, pinpointed the car’s location. Hampshire Police were informed of the development who tasked officers to attend. The vehicle was seized and the suspect arrested for driving whilst disqualified.

This vehicle was located following a protracted enquiry and finally located hidden in an underground car park in London’s Canary Wharf. Getting the vehicle removed to a secure location presented logistical challenges.

Legate were engaged by a client to locate and recover this Tesla that was very much “off the grid.” Intelligence was received suggesting that the vehicle was going to be exported. A possible location of the vehicle was discovered and agents attended to find that shipping containers were on site and the intelligence source confirmed that the Tesla was indeed about to be shipped out of the UK. At the 11th hour the vehicle was recovered and restored to the owner.

Good communication, intelligence flow and collaborative working with the Met Police resulted in this courier van being stopped on cloned plates. The vehicle, hired from our client by the franchisee of a well-known delivery company, was uncovered following an innocent delivery driver reported receiving speeding/parking fines in places he had not been. Police stopped the cloned vehicle on the roadside and on checking the VIN, seized the vehicle due to Legate’s theft report. The vehicle had neither insurance nor a current MOT and according to the police, the driver was unaware he was driving a vehicle with a cloned plate. Research suggests that approximately 1 in 12 vehicles on UK roads are displaying a false or cloned plate.

Following a detailed investigation as to its whereabouts, much to the disappointment of the subject who figured they would never be found, this vehicle was found outside a croft up a secluded farm track in County Cork on the South West tip of Ireland. Our client had given up all hope of recovering their asset. A fantastic result for all concerned!!!