Customs Officials Allegedly Involved in Fraudulent Sale of 350 High-End Smuggled Vehicles
A major fraud has come to light involving the alleged illegal sale of over 350 luxury smuggled vehicles by misusing Pakistan Customs’ WeBOC system, according to an internal report.
Investigation Uncovers Data Tampering in Customs System
The Directorate General of Reforms & Automation (Customs), Karachi submitted a report on July 9 to the Customs Operations Wing (COW), detailing serious data manipulation within the WeBOC platform. The report highlights that the official login credentials of certain Assistant and Deputy Collectors were used to falsely mark smuggled or non-duty-paid (NDP) vehicles as “auctioned.”
This manipulation enabled the vehicles to be illegally released from customs custody without the payment of duties or taxes.
350 Out of 1,900 Vehicles Flagged
Out of 1,900 vehicles reviewed, nearly 350 luxury vehicles were identified as never having been physically auctioned. The system was allegedly fed with fake bidder information, allowing the creation of fraudulent auction records and customs clearance documents. These documents were then used to register the vehicles with provincial excise departments, giving them legal status despite their smuggled origin.
Organized Coordination Suspected
According to the findings, the scam was carried out in multiple phases over several months, reportedly involving coordination between customs officials, vehicle dealers, and other influential individuals. The vehicles in question were smuggled and bypassed the regular duty and tax process through digital loopholes.
Lack of Tracking Hinders Recovery
Due to the absence of a robust tracking system, no vehicles have been seized so far. Most have already been legally registered, making them difficult to trace and recover. One Deputy Collector has been suspended in connection with the case.
FBR Yet to Issue Official Statement
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has not yet commented on the incident. Experts say that systemic reforms are essential before taking action against car dealers or end buyers—many of whom may be unaware of the vehicles’ true origins.
Reform Measures Under Review
Authorities are expected to initiate structural improvements to WeBOC and increase audit oversight to prevent future abuse. Enhanced coordination between federal and provincial departments is also being considered to improve vehicle registration verification.
Stay tuned for updates on customs regulations, tax reforms, and anti-smuggling efforts in Pakistan.
