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Unlicensed car dealing a no-no for Yas brothers

Staff WriterEastern Reporter

THREE brothers have been fined $12,500 each for their involvement in a major unlicensed car dealing operation, which the Department of Consumer Protection said was the biggest they had ever prosecuted.

They were also ordered to pay $267.10 each in costs when they pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday to breaching the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act.

Ali Mohammed Yas of Balga bought 83 vehicles in his own name and 23 vehicles in his wife’s name between March 2016 and October 2017 and sold them via Gumtree, without having a licence.

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Hussein Mohammed Yas of Mirrabooka bought 117 vehicles and sold 120 vehicles between March 2016 and November 2017, without having a licence.

Mustafa Mohammed Yas of Como bought 57 vehicles and sold 58 vehicles between March 2016 and September 2017, without having a licence.

Their applications for spent convictions were denied.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said this case was the biggest unlicensed dealing matter the Department had handled.

“With a total of 284 vehicles being traded by the three brothers over 20 months, it is by far the most extensive illegal motor vehicle dealing investigation in the history of Consumer Protection,” Mr Hillyard said.

“The three Yas brothers flouted the licensing laws to make a profit that robbed legitimate licensed dealers of valuable business and buyers of the vehicles were denied their consumer rights.

“Our investigation into the operation continues and further action may be pending.

“Closing down this major unlicensed dealing operation means that the integrity of the motor vehicle industry is upheld and the warranty rights of consumers are protected.

“We encourage all members of the community to be alert to any unlicensed motor vehicle dealing activity and report it to us immediately so we can take action.”

Consumers can check whether a motor vehicle dealer is licensed by doing a search on the Consumer Protection website: www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au.

Unlicensed dealers can be reported by emailing consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au or by calling 1300 30 40 54.

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