2 arrested in international stolen car scheme

DETROIT – Late Tuesday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested two people suspected of shipping stolen cars to destinations in West Africa.

Adams Amen, 29, of Ghana, and Ayesha Amen, 37, of Detroit, were arrested without incident at an east-side residence. Two stolen vehicles were seized and both suspects are in state custody on possession of stolen vehicle charges after arraignment on Wednesday in 36th District Court. 

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The arrests followed a yearlong investigation by organizations including HSI, the Macomb Auto Theft Squad, the Clinton Township Police and the Wayne County Action Task Force. 

In May 2013, HSI special agents gathered information identifying a scheme to use stolen identities and credit cards to obtain vehicles from dealerships and then ship them to buyers, primarily in Ghana, before dealers could detect the fraud and report the vehicles stolen. 

According to the investigation, members of the organization, led by Adams Amen, are suspected of transactions involving at least a dozen cars.

Adams Amen entered the country in May on a tourist visa.  

Both suspects would face up to 10 years in prison, if they are convicted.