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Man accused of running ‘title-washing ring’ to retitle stolen cars in Florida
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PLANT CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — An almost year-long investigation has led to the arrest of a man who Hillsborough County deputies said was running a “title-washing ring.”
Authorities believe Ahmed Njie, 40, was at the head of a scheme where he would alter the vehicle identification numbers (VINs) on stolen vehicles in order to fraudulently retitle the cars in Florida.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said an investigation was launched after another suspect, Essa Cham, 46, tried to use a fraudulent South Carolina title to retitle a 2022 Mercedes GLE 350 at the Plant City Tax Collector’s Office in March 2024.
The investigation eventually led them to Njie, who was pulled over for a traffic stop about two months later on June 2. At the time, Njie was driving a Range Rover that was suspected of being altered.
Deputies said Njie gave them a fake name, but they later determined it was him. He was arrested for providing a false name to law enforcement officers and driving with a suspended license.
The Range Rover was then inspected, revealing multiple fraudulent VIN stickers, the sheriff’s office said. They also learned that the Range Rover had been reported stolen from Lake City in June 2022.
Further investigation produced evidence suggesting Njie had been in possession of seven different vehicles — five of which had altered VINs and three that were reported stolen. One was fraudulently titled in Florida using a fake identity, deputies said.
Investigators said Njie was out on bond when he was re-arrested on Jan. 28, 2025. He now faces the following charges:
- RICO Violation
- RICO Conspiracy or Endeavor
- Unlawful Use of Two Way Communication Device
- Grand Theft Motor Vehicle (X3)
- Forged Motor Vehicle or Mobile Home Title
- Sell or Possess Vehicle with Altered Numbers (X6)
- Knowingly Use Altered or Forged Title (X3)
The sheriff’s office also identified two other co-defendants who were allegedly helping Njie: Czedsia Simon, 45, and Seynabou Sall, 42.
“The diligent work of our detectives has led to the dismantling of this fraudulent operation,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Let this arrest send a message that criminal schemes will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.”
Read the full article here.