Muscat – The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has warned of a rising number of vehicle theft and rental fraud cases involving forged contracts and documents, urging both motorists and rental agencies to exercise greater caution.

The ROP said leaving vehicles unattended with engines running remains the leading cause of vehicle theft, as criminals exploit the brief moments drivers step away to run errands. Investigators have also uncovered cases involving forged rental documents, followed by disabling tracking systems and then attempting to smuggle vehicles across international borders.

Brig Jamal bin Habib Al Quraishi, Director General of Criminal Investigation at the ROP, said analysis of theft cases across the sultanate showed that many incidents occur when drivers leave their vehicles running while stopping at ATMs, shops or residences.

He added that some motorists leave spare keys inside their vehicles, making theft easier. In other cases, thieves target vehicles parked for extended periods in residential or commercial areas – particularly those showing visible signs of neglect – towing them away to be dismantled and sold for parts.

Statistics indicate that older vehicles are more vulnerable due to weaker security systems and strong demand for their spare parts. Al Quraishi said the motives behind vehicle theft vary: some stolen vehicles are used temporarily in other crimes before being abandoned, others are stripped for parts, and in a few cases, vehicles are smuggled out of the country.

Rental fraud on the rise

Authorities have recorded cases in which suspects rent vehicles from agencies using forged documents, disable tracking systems and then seize the vehicles. The stolen cars are later dismantled, fitted with different number plates or transported abroad.

Al Quraishi urged rental agencies to verify all documents submitted by customers and confirm that passports carry valid entry visas before completing rental procedures.

Police also noted a rise in fraud cases involving fabricated contracts, in which citizens and residents are persuaded to lease their personal vehicles for attractive sums over extended periods, only to discover later that the vehicles have been taken using forged documents and have disappeared.

Penalties and international cooperation

Under Oman’s Penal Code, penalties for vehicle theft have been strengthened, particularly when crimes are committed on public roads or involve weapons or coercion. Sentences can range from five to ten years’ imprisonment, depending on the circumstances.

The ROP cooperates with Interpol to exchange information on stolen vehicles and access the global stolen motor vehicle database. This cooperation has helped intercept stolen vehicles transiting through Oman and facilitated the extradition of several suspects.

Police have also launched public awareness campaigns — including videos, printed materials and lectures at public and private institutions — with messages disseminated across traditional and social media platforms.

Al Quraishi stressed that preventing vehicle theft is a shared responsibility between security authorities and the public, adding that adherence to safety precautions and the use of modern technologies such as vehicle tracking systems can significantly reduce incidents and improve the chances of recovering stolen vehicles.