BERKELEY COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Two people have been arrested in connection with an organized title fraud scheme following a joint investigation by the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (WV DMV) and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID).
The investigation began after suspicious activity was detected involving the alteration and fraudulent submission of motor vehicle titles.
Investigators with the WV DMV and Berkeley County CID identified a pattern of falsified documents being used to obtain West Virginia vehicle titles.
On Sept. 10, deputies with the Sheriff’s Office CID, assisted by WV DMV enforcement, executed a search warrant at Platinum Used and Rebuilt Auto Sales, located at 5312 Tabler Station Road in Inwood. Arrest warrants had been obtained beforehand, and two suspects were taken into custody without incident.
Authorities said evidence confirmed the suspects’ involvement in multiple fraudulent transactions intended to defraud both state systems and private buyers.
The suspects are charged as follows:
- Florent Kuete Songwa, 60 — 28 counts of false evidence/forgery of title and 1 count of conspiracy.
- Yvette S. Tchagoue, 58 — 4 counts of false evidence/forgery of title and 1 count of conspiracy.
Both individuals face charges related to title fraud, forgery of documents, and conspiracy.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy Giangola at 304-267-7000.
