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We are warning motorbike owners nationally to be vigilant after victims from as far afield as Devon and Newcastle have fallen victim to theft offences in Leeds.
A specialist team that deals with crime and anti-social behaviour involving motorcycles and off-road bikes has seen an emerging approach taken by thieves in recent months with offenders using fake banking apps to con victims.
Sergeant Claire Williams, who leads the off-road bike team in Leeds, said: “What we are seeing is an increased level of sophistication in the way that certain individuals are stealing motorbikes. We do still have reports of people asking for a test drive and riding off, never to return, but what we are also seeing is bike thieves who are making it appear they are paying by using fake banking apps on their phone.
“With these apps it will look like you are inputting the seller’s bank details and transferring the money but in fact no transfer is taking place. We have even had instances where the seller has challenged the person posing as a buyer when no funds have appeared in their account and the ‘buyer’ has pretended to call their bank to verify the payment.
“Those involved in these kinds of crimes are taking steps to make what they do look legitimate. The apps they are using look like the real thing, and they may have an accomplice lined up on the other end of the phone to pose as a bank employee, making sure they ask all the right security questions and act in the way that people would expect from a bank.
“Motorcycles can be worth significant amounts of money and sadly there are people who are making a business out of stealing and selling on bikes. We need motorbike owners to be aware and be cautious if they are looking to sell on their vehicle to help protect themselves from this kind of crime.”
You can read more, including advice on what to do if you are looking to sell your motorbike, at:
https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/news-appeals/nationwide-warning-following-motorcycle-thefts-leeds | 
