The National Police of Paraguay is warning of an increase in the entry of luxury vehicles stolen in Brazil that are illegally sold in the country after undergoing modifications and document forgery. The so-called "carros cabrito" are often offered through social media, posing a scam risk for unsuspecting buyers.
In the early hours of Monday, officers from the police's Automotores Department intercepted a white Toyota Fortuner pickup truck during an inspection on the PY02 route, near Defensores del Chaco avenue. Commissioner Rubén Cáceres explained that the technical inspection revealed the vehicle did not match the documentation presented and that its accessories confirmed it had been completely modified. A consultation with Brazilian police confirmed the pickup had been stolen on June 24, 2023, leading to its seizure and the referral of the case to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
According to Cáceres, the person with the vehicle claimed to have received it as part of a payment in a transaction made seven months ago. The commissioner noted that models like the Toyota Fortuner and Hilux are among the most frequently seized in this type of crime.
To avoid fraud, police advise that anyone interested in acquiring a high-value vehicle, especially through social media ads, should go to the Automotores Department for a thorough verification before closing the deal. The department is located at the corner of Paz del Chaco and Urundey streets, in the Santa Lucía neighborhood of Lambaré, and can be contacted by phone at (021) 302 820 and 302 229.