Sudbury (June 3, 2020) – Sudbury police caught a 35-year-old woman while fraudulently purchasing a $77,000 car using counterfeit IDs on May 29. The investigation revealed that the fraudulent scheme occurred during many similar offenses across the province. Police believe that the suspect is part of a ‘sophisticated, organized group’ targeting high-value brand new vehicles by gaining financing and licensing with identification obtained through identity theft.
The Sudbury police revealed a province-wide fraudulent car theft scheme, according to a press release from June 2. The officers discovered the series while nabbing a 35-year-old woman for purchasing a car using counterfeit IDs.
Suspicious transaction attempt at a local luxury car dealership using counterfeit IDs
On May 28, Sudbury police’s Break Enter and Robbery Unit received a report about a suspicious transaction attempt at a local luxury car dealership. The transaction was conducted by an individual purchasing a vehicle worth $77,000.
The investigation revealed that the car was being purchased with counterfeit IDs, police said. In collaboration with the Financial Crimes Unit, the authorities discovered that the incident was one of many similar offenses, which have occurred throughout the province.
The police believe that a ‘sophisticated, organized group’ targets Ontario car dealerships while purchasing high-value brand new vehicles by gaining financing and licensing with identification obtained through identity theft. ‘It is only later when the victim of the identity theft is contacted by creditors that the fraud is realized and by that time the vehicle and suspects are unable to be located,’ Sudbury police explained in their press release.
Read more: Man wanted for $500K luxury car frauds
Woman from Wasaga Beach area arrested
Officers intercepted a 35-year-old woman from the Wasaga Beach area at the car dealership as she arrived to pick-up the allegedly fraudulently purchased vehicle, on May 29. She was arrested. Police found that she was carrying three pieces of fraudulent Federal and Provincial identification. The police described the fake IDs as ‘very authentic in appearance.’
She has been charged with Obtaining credit by False Pretence, Identity Theft, Personation with Intent, three counts of Possession of Identity Documents, Fraud Over $5,000, Utter Forged Documents, and three counts of Counterfeiting Stamps. The investigators confirmed her true identity via police identification records, but they did not disclose her identity to the public.
Read more: Man facing 15 fraud related charges for alleged fraudulent car purchase
The suspect was scheduled to appear in court on August 12. The police said the investigation is ongoing.
