Van trader sentenced for long-running vehicle fraud following major Salford Trading Standards investigation

A Salford van trader has been sentenced at Manchester Crown Court following a major investigation by Salford City Council’s Trading Standards team into a long-running vehicle fraud operation, supported by National Trading Standards.

A Salford van trader has been sentenced at Manchester Crown Court following a major investigation by Salford City Council’s Trading Standards team into a long-running vehicle fraud operation, supported by National Trading Standards.

Rael Flavius Nicola, of Somerset Road, Eccles, Manchester, received an 18 month sentence, suspended for 20 months, 250 hours' unpaid work and £23,600 compensation to victims after being convicted of nine offences of fraud, including fraud by false representation and carrying on a business for a fraudulent purpose.

The court heard that Mr Nicola sold second-hand vans through Facebook over a period of four years, including during 2020 when restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic made it difficult for businesses and individuals to source used commercial vehicles.

As part of the investigation, Trading Standards officers uncovered evidence that Mr Nicola routinely posted misleading advertisements, falsely claiming that vans were supplied with 12 months’ MOT and were road taxed.

Investigators also found that Mr Nicola created fake service history books, complete with counterfeit garage stamps, to give buyers the impression that vehicles had been properly maintained, raising serious concerns about the safety and condition of vehicles being sold to consumers.

In addition, Mr Nicola instructed an accomplice to wind back vehicle odometers — known as “clocking” — to make vehicles appear less used and therefore more valuable and attempted to conceal the true condition of vehicles by painting over rust and corrosion, preventing buyers from identifying serious faults before purchase.

Mr Nicola also falsely told customers that they were insured to drive vehicles away at the point of sale, despite no such insurance being in place. Victims were further misled into believing their vehicles came with a six-month warranty. When they later attempted to make claims, it became clear that the warranties were entirely fictitious.

During the investigation, Trading Standards officers discovered that Mr Nicola had used 15 different aliases when registering vehicles with the DVLA and when dealing with customers. This significantly complicated efforts to trace his activities and required extensive management of digital evidence to support the case.

In sentencing, the court took into account the sustained and deliberate nature of the offending, the deception of multiple victims alongside the financial losses incurred and the intimidation used to suppress complaints.

Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety, said: “This case highlights the serious harm that fraudulent traders can cause to hardworking residents and local businesses. These actions were deliberate, sustained and calculated to exploit members of the public.

"I would like to thank National Trading Standards for its financial support to assist the investigation and Salford Trading Standards for their thorough investigation and commitment to protecting consumers. We will continue to take robust action against people who seek to exploit people in our communities, and we hope today’s sentencing provides reassurance that such conduct will not be tolerated.”

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: "This was a calculated deception that cost victims significant sums of money and put them in danger by leading them to believe they were driving vehicles that were roadworthy, insured and legally compliant.

"Fraudulent traders like this also undermine honest vehicle dealers who work hard to earn the trust of their customers and compete fairly.

“Today's sentence demonstrates that those who seek to profit through dishonesty can expect to be investigated and held to account.”

Consumers concerned about rogue traders can report issues to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Advice to Consumers Buying Vehicles on Social Media

Trading Standards is reminding consumers to exercise caution when buying vehicles through social media platforms such as Facebook.

Buyers are advised to be particularly wary of traders who only operate online, use multiple names, or refuse to provide a fixed business address. Consumers should always:

• Be suspicious of deals that appear too good to be true
• Check that the seller is a legitimate trader and not operating under multiple identities
• Independently verify that a vehicle is taxed, has an MOT certificate and is insured, rather than relying on verbal assurances
• View the vehicle in good lighting and look for signs of concealed damage, such as freshly painted areas covering rust or corrosion
• Check mileage history carefully and be alert to signs of odometer tampering
• Request and verify genuine service history, contacting garages directly if necessary
• Never feel pressured into completing a sale quickly

Consumers are reminded that fraudulent traders may attempt to intimidate or reassure buyers with false claims about insurance, documentation, or legal protection. If a seller becomes evasive, aggressive, or discourages independent checks, buyers should walk away immediately.

Anyone who believes they have been a victim of vehicle fraud is encouraged to report the matter to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service, so that patterns of offending can be identified and investigated.

Trading Standards stress that taking time to carry out checks before purchase can prevent significant financial loss and disruption, particularly where vehicles are needed for work or business purposes.