- Defenders Northwest, Pierce County Car restorer accused of running interstate scam in the US
Car restoration business is international in nature. Those who specialize in it source parts in China or Europe, and some scour various suppliers in North America. Sadly, the parts import industry is wrought with fraud and the only remedy is uniform best practices and better collaboration between law enforcement agencies. Land Rover restoration fraud has been around for some time, and the victims are usually collectors and Land Rover enthusiasts. One such incident illustrates that there is need for new, better regulations and uniformity of rules. It has been flagged in recent news https://www.theodysseyonline.com/washington-land-rover-restoration-shop-faces-7-figure-fraud-charges. Many of the incidents get discussed in … Read more - Gig Harbor Washington Auto Parts Importer Sued For Restoration Fraud
Initially welcomed by small-town locals, Brian and Michele Hall were welcomed in the local paper, when they relaunched their Land Rover Defender restoration shop in 2017. The business would import parts and offer restoration services for vintage Land Rover aficionados. Michele, a native of Gig Harbor, graduated from high school there and her husband Brian Troy Hall, a transplant from Orange County, California, turned his hobby into a business. Yet, not all was as it seemed. The Halls are facing mounting legal troubles amidst allegations of restoration fraud. The unfortunate incident may lead to criminal charges for the Halls, and further … Read more - A Lawsuit Roils the Defender World
The specialty car restoration business is international in nature. Those who specialize in it source parts internationally, and some scour various suppliers in North America. Sadly, this specialized industry is wrought with fraud and the only remedy is uniform best practices and better collaboration between law enforcement agencies. Land Rover Defender restoration fraud has been around for some time, and the victims are usually collectors and Land Rover enthusiasts. One such incident illustrates that there is a need for new, better regulations and uniformity of rules. Many of the incidents are discussed ad nauseam on popular Defender forums such as Land … Read more - Gig Harbor Washington Defenders Northwest LLC Accused of Running Car Restoration Scam
Many people don’t know much about vintage Land Rover Defenders. Those in the know are adventure and off-road types with some money to spare. Restoration of Land Rover Defenders is niche business that on occasion finds itself in hot water. Law enforcement from time to time catches wind of contraband parts operators and target unsafe vehicles. Often unsuspecting customers suffer when their restored Defender vehicles get confiscated. These incidents get discussed in popular Defender forums such as www.landroverforums.com, www.defendersource.com, www.nas-row.com, and many others. There are also many companies that offer parts and restoration services for Defender enthusiasts. In April 23, … Read more - Washington Land Rover Restoration Shop Faces 7-Figure Fraud Charges
Automotive repair fraud is prevalent – especially when it comes to restoration projects. Reckless mechanics and shop owners who overcharge, install inferior parts, and mislead customers about the condition of their vehicles are disgraceful but hardly newsworthy. However, on rare occasions, allegations of fraud are so egregious that they may lead to criminal investigations and ultimately charges. Recently a lawsuit was filed in California claiming that a Land Rover Defender specialist, Defenders Northwest LLC (www.defendersnorthwest.com) and its owners, Brian Hall and Michele Hall defrauded their customers by failing to deliver a major restoration project. The Halls and their business are … Read more