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A huge vehicle registration scam has been uncovered in Dakshina Kannada’s transport department, exposing how luxury car owners allegedly avoided paying crores in road tax.

Shockingly, some transport officials are suspected of aiding this racket, as per Daiji World.

At the centre of this scandal is a Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 worth around Rs 2.5 crore. Though its engine and chassis numbers were genuine, the car’s model number was cunningly changed in official records to save tax.

Fake Model Number Used to Cut Road Tax

Originally bought in 2017 by Mangaluru resident Nihal Ahmad, the SUV ran on temporary registration plates for eight years without getting a proper permanent number.

In 2025, Ahmad sold the car to Niraj Sharma, also from Mangaluru. During the resale, the model was deliberately altered in records. Instead of being listed as an AMG G63, which would attract Rs 20–22 lakh in tax, it was falsely registered as a Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 — a much cheaper model needing only Rs 5–6 lakh in tax.

Sources claim this fraudulent change was made possible through the support of Mangaluru transport department officials, who quietly edited the records to show the cheaper variant.

Scam Exposed During Mysuru Inspection Drive

The fraud came to light during a special inspection drive targeting luxury vehicles in Mysuru. Officials seized the SUV after spotting the discrepancies.

Following this discovery, the vehicle’s Registration Certificate (RC) has been blacklisted. A full investigation is now underway under orders from the joint commissioner of the Shivamogga regional transport department.

Systemic Corruption Under the Scanner

This case has revealed serious loopholes in the transport department’s processes, showing how systemic corruption can lead to huge losses for the state exchequer. Officials have promised strict action against everyone involved in this large-scale tax evasion racket.