The insider view of scrap-steal-sell operations in Delhi

Tell us about yourself. How did you enter the world of auto lifting?

I am Shammi. I am 30 years old. I live in Meerut with my family. I studied up to Class 8 and then started working as a scrap dealer in a local market. The job did not have much to offer.

Did you contact the gang, or were you contacted by gang members?

In January 2017, I came in touch with one Aman, through Jalal, a friend of mine. We then met another man Naved. He said he can manage to buy ‘total loss’ vehicles with complete documents, and lured us into the business of selling ‘total loss’ vehicles at good prices. For this, he asked us to steal similar cars from neighbouring states. We were promised good returns.

How does the nexus work?

When all three of us joined Naved’s gang, we were paid good commission. About 2-3 months before, Jalal also introduced me to Lucknow’s Najib Khan, who is into the business of buying stolen cars and reselling them. He also facilitated us with some ‘total loss’ vehicles, and we delivered stolen vehicles to him in exchange of good sums.

Tell us about your recent involvements.

In 2017, around February, Naved handed over a stolen white Fortuner to me and Aman, and asked us to deliver it in Delhi. More than a month before that, a Swift Dzire car was received. It was sold in UP’s Lakhimpur Khiri for Rs two lakh. We get a good amount. All we had to do was to deliver stolen cars, take our commission and get back to work.

What next? Where do you see your future?

Given a chance, I would like to get on to the right path. Quick and easy money lured us into the nexus. 

(All names have been changed to not hamper police investigations)