OMVIC, Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator, is warning consumers not to purchase vehicles from Arif Adnan Syed, Hafsa Nasser or Syed’s company, Euro Premium Auto Ltd. Note: Euro Premium is not a registered dealer.
OMVIC believes Syed and Nasser are curbsiders— illegal, unlicensed dealers. Operating from a home in central Unionville, the couple are allegedly buying high mileage vehicles and then, posing as private sellers, offering them for sale on Kijiji. The odometers of many of the vehicles sold have been rolled back by significant amounts — in some cases, 200,000 to 300,000 kilometres.
OMVIC is taking the unusual step of releasing this information while its investigation is ongoing because of the risk these sellers pose to the car-buying public,” explained OMVIC CEO and Registrar, John Carmichael. “We believe Syed, Nasser and Euro Premium Auto Ltd. have sold at least 26 cars in 2018, and from the cars lining their driveway, they appear to have more to sell.”
One consumer, as recently as November 30th, responded to a Kijiji Ad for a 2007 Toyota Camry with 166,000 kilometres. Priced at $5,000 the car was allegedly shown to the purchaser by Nasser. The vehicle had been purchased from a dealer by Euro Premium Auto Ltd. only four days earlier, with an odometer reading of 295,807.
In another instance, a young woman allegedly dealt with Syed to purchase a 2006 Honda. The car was advertised as having 165,000 kms. The vehicle had been purchased in May 2018 by Euro Premium Auto Ltd. with an odometer reading of 421,000 kilometres.
“Each of the victims interviewed by OMVIC indicated the sellers did not provide the required Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) that could have disclosed historical odometer information”, explained Carmichael.
According to OMVIC, these alleged curbsiders arrange for potential buyers to meet them at the Unionville home or nearby plazas. “The purchasers think they’re buying a relatively low mileage vehicle from a genuine private seller but end up with a vehicle that may be near end-of-life or require unexpected and expensive repairs due to the actual mileage.”
rif Syed is described as male, 36 years of age, brown complexion, 5’6”, stocky build, with short black hair.
Hafsa Nasser is described as female, 23 years of age, brown complexion, 5’1”, slight build, with long black
Arif Syed was previously charged and prosecuted by OMVIC for curbsiding — in 2015 he was convicted and fined $5,000. Desi Auto Body and Used Parts Ltd. and 1715130 Ontario Inc. operating as Desi Auto Body, two companies directed by Syed, were also convicted at that time of curbsiding and of committing unfair business practices in contravention of the Consumer Protection Act and were fined $12,500 each.
What should Consumers Do?
Consumers who have purchased a vehicle from Arif Adnan Syed, Hafsa Nasser or Euro Premium Auto Ltd. are encouraged to purchase a UVIP or CARFAX Canada report to verify mileage; and, to contact OMVIC’s Complaints and Inquiries team at 1-800-9436002x3942.
Connect with OMVIC on social media!
Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council
@omvic_consumers
@omvic_official
Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council
www.omvic.ca
www.ontario.ca/page/consumer-protection-ontario