Richmond, BC – Richmond RCMP Economic Crime Unit (ECU) began their investigation in October 2020. Over several months, Richmond ECU investigators collected evidence of alleged frauds being committed by four individuals, in multiple jurisdictions, including Richmond, Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Kelowna and Regina.
The investigation resulted in multiple search warrants being executed at locations allegedly connected to the fraud ring in Richmond and Vancouver.
The Economic Crime Unit is part of the larger Richmond RCMP Organized Crime Unit, which is comprised of ECU, Drugs, Organized Crime Project Team and Criminal Intelligence.
The BC Prosecution Service has approved a total of 24 charges. The charges include fraud, forgery, possession of property obtained by crime and unauthorized possession of a firearm against one of the accused.
Charged are:
Christopher Birkbeck of Surrey, BC
Michael Ridley of Ontario
Richard Yeltatzie of Richmond, BC
Ayron Borovic of Vancouver, BC
Richard Yeltatzie has also been charged with eight criminal code charges, including fraud, on another Richmond ECU file. In February 2020 Richmond Economic Crime Unit conducted an investigation where a residence was allegedly sold by fraudulent means unbeknownst to the homeowner. In this case, the BC Prosecution Service has approved eight charges against Richard Yeltatzie and three against a Kieran Yeltatzie.
If you have information about a potential crime, you are encouraged to call your police of jurisdiction. Should you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit them online at www.solvecrime.ca.
