Mining & Trade News

Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised Malawians who make online vehicle importation transactions with Japanese dealers to ascertain credibility of the firms before making any financial commitments.

In a Press Statement, the Ministry expresses concern over the increase in the number of complaints Malawi Embassy in Japan receives in relation to failed or mishandled processes of importation of used vehicles.

The failed transactions have apparently been leading to importers being duped or being sent wrong vehicles.

The Ministry, therefore, advises Malawians intending to import vehicles from Japan to ensure that they get right information about dealers they are transacting with, to avoid being duped by unscrupulous merchants.

The statement says investigations Malawi Embassy in Japan has conducted have revealed that some firms Malawians deal with in the importation of vehicles from Japan are either non- existent or unregistered with Association of Dealers of Used Vehicles in Japan.

It says most of the unscrupulous dealers involved in the malpractice cannot be accessed through any means of communication, and usually provide false information to their unsuspecting victims.

 “It has further been observed that in majority of the cases, such unscrupulous dealers deliberately offer very low and attractive prices for their vehicles to attract unsuspecting buyers,” reads the statement in part.

Most of the car dealers Malawians transact with through on line media, the statement reads, feign to be Japanese but are from South West Asia.

The ministry has therefore advised vehicle importers to use reputable dealers rather that those who are unrecognized and unregistered.

 “In view of this, the Ministry wishes to advise that, while online trade provides a great opportunity for less costly business transaction, every caution has to be exercised when using the digital platform.”

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