Russian Court Jails Repeat Car Fraudster for Seven Years Over Stolen Vehicles

A court in Primorsky Krai has convicted a repeat offender for running a car fraud scheme. The man rented vehicles and sold them without the owners’ permission. Three victims lost a combined total of over 5.3 million rubles ($60,000). The offender had a long record of similar crimes. His history of dangerous repeat offences played a key role in the sentencing. The court ruled he must serve seven years in a maximum-security penal colony.

After his prison term, he will face an additional two years of restricted freedom. The stolen vehicles have since been recovered and returned to their owners. The verdict is not yet final, as it remains subject to appeal. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes and the defendant’s past behaviour. The case is still open to legal challenge before the ruling takes full effect. The recovered vehicles have been handed back to those affected.