Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1471699
NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 JUNE 2022 5 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Cars bought from Japanese bidding markets on the cheap because of their high mileage, would then be sold in Mal- ta with the dashboard gauge showing low mileage. The newspaper had reached out to one of the dealers, Rod- erick Vella 'Rokku', who had claimed the wrong-doing had come from JEVIC's end. "I always did things proper- ly. I always imported cars in line with legislation. If there was something wrong with the cars when they came from overseas, we will fix them," he had said. Speaking to MaltaToday, JE- VIC General Manager for In- ternational Operations, Aaron Treadaway, said the company has looked into the issue. "JEVIC have looked into this issue, noting that our system holds the original Japan in- spection data and that fraudu- lent activity allegedly occurred after the vehicles had arrived in Malta," Treadaway said. The San Gwann mechan- ic behind the tampering of odometers had claimed he was fooled into thinking mile- age correction issues on the imported cars were genuine. The mechanic insisted he was carrying out the correction, a process of adjusting or re-cal- ibrating the number of miles a car's odometer displays on its digital dashboard. He first denied giving his services to Chris Spiteri, but later admitted that he had no knowledge of the racket. "What if he tells you there is mistake? How am I supposed to know what he intends do- ing? Mileage correction is a service that is widely used across the world. Odometer correction is a service like many other services in the car industry," he said. "I was just offering a service – mileage correction... When you go to an ironmonger to cut a key, does he ask you whether the key was stolen and whether you will be using it to enter someone's house?" the mechanic said. During the phone call, the mechanic emphatically de- nied any involvement, but was apologetic towards the car dealerships and pleaded with this newspaper not to take the issue any further. He also said the two dealers were contacted by JEVIC rep- resentatives from Japan. "They have been asking about what the whole issue in Malta is about." But JEVIC has denied the mechanic's claims. "Contrary to the statements made in the press, JEVIC have not been in contact with any Dealers in Malta." Following reports, ransport Minister Aaron Farrugia said the transport regulator had already made contact with the police on the racket concern- ing tampered mileage. "I have zero tolerance for any type of irregularity and the police will find all the help they need and cooperation from my end and Transport Malta's new CEO in its investigation of this case and any other investigation there may be in the future," Farrugia said. When contacted the police confirmed that "investigations are ongoing" but insisted that "it is not prudent to divulge further information". "We understand there is an ongoing police investigation," JEVIC said. kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt JEVIC working with regulators to 'minimise fraudulent activity'