A fraudulent car dealer has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison after confessing to swindling customers by selling unsafe vehicles that posed serious risks to their lives.

Mohammed Sajad, 24, ripped off at least 11 unsuspecting buyers, raking in £58,000 through the advertising "stunning" used cars on various online platforms. However, the reality was far from what he advertised, as the vehicles were unfit for road use, and when repairs were factored in, victims suffered losses exceeding £100,000, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

The court heard that between October 2019 and June 2021 360 cars were delivered to Sajad's residence from a single motor auction house, indicating the extent of his fraudulent activities, and marketed on car sales platforms including Auto Trader, Gumtree, eBay and Facebook.

Sajad, of Yardley, operated under multiple business aliases, including Yew Tree Cars, Sam Harrison Cars, and Lee Hudson Cars, the court heard.

The Birmingham Mail reports that Judge Tom Rochford deemed only a custodial sentence appropriate for the severity of the crimes committed, highlighting that deceit formed the very foundation of Sajad's fraudulent business, and adding that it was unrealistic to assume there were not even more victims of his dodgy dealing than the 11 instances the court proceedings related to.

Sajad, who had already pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to launder the proceeds of crime, and engaging in a money laundering arrangement at Birmingham Crown Court in a previous hearing, was handed a prison term of two years and 11 months.

In addition to the prison term, Sajad received a ten-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) prohibiting him from selling cars in the future.

The court was informed that the identified victims likely represented only a fraction of the defendant's fraudulent activities, suggesting a more extensive scope of his offenses. Judge Tom Rochford presiding over the case heard harrowing details, including one customer who narrowly escaped tragedy due to a defective fuel tank that could have caused an explosion at any moment.

Prosecutor Mark Jackson, on behalf of Birmingham City Council which brought the case to court, outlined that Sajad and his alleged co-conspirators conducted sales under false business names and identities, often employing forged documents and misleading service histories.

The majority of transactions were carried out online and over the phone, with the defendant consistently resorting to dishonest and deceptive tactics, providing victims with false and wholly misleading information.

In his defence, Sajad's barrister argued that his client expressed genuine regret and remorse for his actions, attributing them to immaturity.

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