Gang who handled £1 million worth of stolen cars jailed after police investigation

Four men have been sentenced to a combined jail time of over a decade following an extensive investigation by Surrey Police into the theft and handling of high-value stolen cars.

The organised crime group, operating between London and Surrey, targeted 50 vehicles worth over £1 million between February 2022 and April 2024.

The investigation began in November 2023 when a dealership customer reported purchasing a stolen vehicle. Authorities traced the vehicle’s history, uncovering connections to Abdirahman Ismail, 34, and Ali Abbas, 31, who had received funds from selling the car.

As more evidence emerged, Surrey Police linked the group to the thefts of Toyota, Lexus, Hyundai, and Kia cars. The vehicles were cloned by changing their index plates and altering Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) before being sold to dealerships using fake licences and documents.

The group’s actions directly impacted 50 car owners, as well as insurance companies and dealerships.

Sentencing details

Ali Abbas, of Rose Avenue, Mitcham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods, commit fraud, transfer criminal property and other offences including drug supply. He was sentenced at Chichester Crown Court on 27th January 2025 to six years in prison.

Abdirahman Ismail, of Lancastrian Road, Wallington, also admitted similar charges and received a suspended 16-month sentence on the same date.

The investigation revealed two additional individuals involved. Rizwan Javid, 41, of Salcombe Drive, Chadwell Heath, and Hussain Kapadia, 34, of Auckland Road, Ilford, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges, including fraud and handling stolen goods. Both were sentenced on 19th September 2025 at Guildford Crown Court, receiving two years and eight months, and two years and three months respectively.

A fifth defendant, who faced trial at Guildford Crown Court, was found not guilty on 21st November.

Police statement

Detective Constable Alex Boxall, from Surrey Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “These four men orchestrated a highly organised scheme to clone stolen vehicles, disguising their crimes through the use of fraudulent documentation and selling the cars on to the motor trade.

“50 vehicle owners were directly affected and this criminal activity also had a significant impact on insurance companies and car dealerships, who suffered losses as a result of the group’s actions.”

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