New service targets fake drivers' licence scam

fake drivers’ licence scam is putting truck owners under pressure as their vehicles and loads disappear both locally and cross border with little chance of recovery. International loss adjusters John Pearson & Associates together with Peritus Commercial Forensic Specialists have now set up a facility which enables company owners to check Zimbabwean driving licences, says MD John Pearson. “What happens is that drivers seek employment with false driving licences and then disappear with the truck and the load. There are syndicates involved and a large majority of these come from Zimbabwe,” he told FTW. “Any truck owner who employs Zimbabwean drivers can simply send through information which can then be checked with the Zimbabwean Authorities who will confirm if the licence is valid or false for a nominal fee. A large percentage of those checked to date have been found to be false and this type of information, if known in advance, can save a company in the long-term, said Pearson. The company is based in Fairland, Johannesburg, and has associates throughout South Africa and sub- Saharan Africa. “We’re also involved on various panels pertaining to vehicle hijacking and marine losses and meet regularly with police units set up to investigate hijacking syndicates operating from Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries.” The company is currently involved with the Plant Hire Association whose members have also been victims of crime. “People are hiring expensive equipment by presenting false documentation and they then take the equipment never to be seen again. “In conjunction with the industry we have a facility which we believe will reduce the number of thefts on a daily basis, and also have a dedicated team of investigators who are actively involved in probes into the theft of heavy haulage vehicles and loads. “By using our network of informers, we have been very successful to date with recoveries and will continue to be pro-active in trying to assist the industry.”