Zim Couple Held in Multi-Million Pound Car Theft P...

Zim Couple Held in Multi-Million Pound Car Theft Plot

ZimNow Reporter

A Zimbabwean couple residing in Stratford, East London, has been apprehended in connection with a sophisticated, multi-million-pound operation involving the theft and illegal export of luxury vehicles across the United Kingdom.

Tendai Chigova, 41, and Melissa Chigova, 35, were taken into custody during a police raid on their apartment, a key development in an ongoing investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Organised Vehicle Crime Unit.

The early-morning raid yielded substantial evidence linking the couple to the criminal syndicate. Authorities seized fake registration documents, vehicle key fobs for various high-end models, and more than £250,000 in cash concealed in suitcases. Detective Sarah Donnelly, the lead investigator, described the couple as playing a central role in a network that is believed to have been operating for over four years. The syndicate allegedly targeted luxury cars, including Range Rovers, BMWs, and Mercedes-Benz models, which were then shipped to buyers in West Africa and the Middle East.

According to police, the Chigovas were allegedly responsible for coordinating the collection of stolen cars, altering their identification numbers, and creating forged paperwork. The vehicles were then exported through UK ports in containers that were falsely labeled to evade detection.

The investigation has revealed an international web of crime, with law enforcement agencies in Ghana, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates now assisting UK authorities. These international partners are working to track down individuals who may have received the stolen vehicles. Evidence seized from the couple’s residence, including bank records, electronic devices, and phone communications, is currently being analyzed to determine the full scope of their involvement and potential links to other criminal groups.

Neighbors of the Chigovas described them as quiet and seemingly prosperous, often seen with new, expensive cars parked downstairs. Investigators believe the couple used proceeds from the illegal scheme to fund a lavish lifestyle. Both Tendai and Melissa Chigova are in police custody and are expected to appear in a magistrates’ court this week. They face a range of charges, including:

Conspiracy to steal motor vehicles

Money laundering

Possession of criminal property

Fraud and use of forged documents

Police have indicated that further arrests are anticipated as the investigation widens. They are appealing to the public for any information that may assist in identifying other members of the network.