International car thieves scammed GTA dealerships by posing as luxury-car buyers, police say
”The sophistication of this particular scam and exceptional quality of the documents they produced enabled the group to carry out similar frauds at other GTA and southern Ontario area dealerships,” Halton police said.
Monday, November 13, 2023
Halton police say they have busted an international ring of criminals who stole luxury vehicles from GTA dealerships by posing as legitimate buyers.
The group used high-quality forgeries to obtain the vehicles, worth more than $1.6 million dollars and then resold them, often overseas, police said.
The Halton police-led operation was called “Project Luxe.” It began as an investigation into a group of people who impersonated representatives of a legitimate retailer to fraudulently obtain high-end vehicles from GTA dealerships, Halton police said in a news release.
”The sophistication of this particular scam and exceptional quality of the documents they produced enabled the group to carry out similar frauds at other GTA and southern Ontario area dealerships.”
Vehicles recovered by police included a 2021 Ferrari F8 Spider (valued at $600,000), a 2023 Maybach GLS600 and 2020 Lamborghini Urus (both valued at more than $300,000) and a 2023 Porche 911 Turbo (valued at more than $225,000).
The group has international connections to sell the luxury vehicles, police said.
Also involved in Project Luxe were the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, The New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police, Toronto police, the OPP and the FBI.
Vehicles were recovered across Ontario and in the United States, police said.
Aside from the luxury vehicles, police said they also seized equipment used to fraudulently mimic various methods of secure payment.
The Halton Regional Police Service cautions people selling vehicles to be mindful of high-pressure tactics that don’t allow time for you to exercise due diligence.
“Ideally, secure payment before you transfer ownership,” police also warn.
“When you accept any form of payment, verify it with the issuing bank (don’t rely on your own bank, if different). Although your bank may accept a cheque or money order, the payment sometimes doesn’t clear for several days (or weeks).”
Sellers are also urged to verify the buyer’s identity with a driver’s licence, and one other form of identification that includes the name and address.
Sellers should also be cautious when engaging with faraway buyers.
“Although not necessarily scammers, be wary of anyone who makes an offer to buy your car sight-unseen or a sale in which someone else who arrives to pick it up and complete the transaction,” Halton police warn.
Three men have been charged with fraud and possession-related offences.
3 men charged as $1.6M in stolen luxury vehicles recovered
Published Nov 13, 2023 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 1 minute read
Three men have been charged after stolen luxury vehicles worth more than $1.6 million were recovered as part of an investigation led by Halton Regional Police.
Halton cops opened an investigation in the summer into a group of individuals alleged to be “impersonating representatives of a legitimate retailer of luxury vehicles.”
According to police, members of the group went to several dealerships throughout the GTA and fraudulently obtained several high-end vehicles.
“The sophistication of this particular scam and exceptional quality of the documents they produced enabled the group to carry out similar frauds at other GTA and southern Ontario-area dealerships,” Halton police said.
Members of the regional fraud unit established “Project Luxe” and took the provincial lead to combat the efforts of this “highly organized group.” An extensive investigation led to police identifying group members and establishing connections to a broader distribution network, Halton cops said.
Vehicles were recovered throughout Ontario and in the U.S. with help from Homeland Security, the New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police, Toronto Police, OPP and the FBI.
Many of the intercepted vehicles were destined for export overseas, police said.
Among the vehicles recovered were a 2023 Maybach GLS600 (valued at more than $300,000), a 2020 Lamborghini Urus (also valued at over $300,000), 2021 Ferrari F8 Spider (valued at $600,000), 2023 Porche 911 Turbo (valued at more than $225,000), 2017 Mercedes E400, and 2021 Dodge Durango (both valued over $60,000 each).
Police said search warrants were carried out at locations throughout the GTA in November, resulting in the seizure of evidence. This included equipment used to replicate security features for various methods of secure payment.
Arrested and charged with fraud and possession-related offences are Enoch Johnson, 40, of Mississauga; Ahmad Amiri, 29, of Oakville; and Issac Osunde Iyamu, 27, of no fixed address.
Police urged anyone with information to call 905-825-4777.
Halton Regional Police Service
Arrests Made, Luxury Vehicles Recovered During “Project Luxe”
Posted Monday, November 13, 2023
In summer 2023, members of the Halton Regional Police Regional Service (HRPS) Regional Fraud Unit commenced an investigation into a group of individuals impersonating representatives of a legitimate retailer of luxury vehicles. This group attended several dealerships throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) where they fraudulently obtained several high-end vehicles. The sophistication of this particular scam and exceptional quality of the documents they produced enabled the group to carry out similar frauds at other GTA and southern Ontario area dealerships.
Members of the Regional Fraud Unit established “Project Luxe” and took the Provincial lead to combat the efforts of this highly-organized group. An extensive investigation commenced, which led to the successful identification of group members, as well as established connections to a broader distribution network.
HRPS Regional Fraud investigators were assisted by members of Homeland Security, The New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police, Toronto Police Service, OPP, and the FBI. Successful vehicle recoveries were made throughout Ontario and in the United States. Many of the intercepted vehicles were destined for export overseas.
The estimated value of the recovered vehicles totals more than $1.6 million dollars. Among the vehicles recovered during Project Luxe were a 2023 Maybach GLS600 (valued at over $300,000), a 2020 Lamborghini Urus (also valued at over $300,000), 2021 Ferrari F8 Spider (valued at $600,000), 2023 Porche 911 Turbo (valued at more than $225,000), 2017 Mercedes E400, and 2021 Dodge Durango (both valued over $60,000 each). See attached photos of selected recovered vehicles.
In November 2023, search warrants were carried out at locations throughout the GTA, resulting the seizure of evidence linking the accused to the alleged offences. This included equipment used to replicate security features for various methods of secure payment.
Arrested and charged with fraud/possession related offences are:
- Enoch JOHNSON (40 years) of Mississauga
Charged: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000
- Ahmad AMIRI (29 yrs) of Oakville
Charged: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000
- Issac Osunde IYAMU (27 years) no fixed address
Charged: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000 (5 counts) and Fraud over $5000
The Halton Regional Police Service reminds members of the public that there are steps they can take to help prevent fraud when selling your vehicle. They include:
- Exercising common sense and good judgement in dealings with any prospective buyers and throughout the process.
- If the situation makes you feel uneasy, approach it cautiously. Be mindful that scammers often use high-pressure tactics to have you enter into a sale before you can exercise your due-diligence.
- Ideally, secure payment before you transfer ownership. When you accept any form of payment, verify it with the issuing bank (don’t rely on your own bank, if different). Although your bank may accept a cheque or money order, the payment sometimes doesn’t clear for several days (or weeks).
- Verify the buyer’s identity with a driver’s licence, and one other form of identification (be sure they include name and address).
- Be cautious when engaged by distant buyers. Although not necessarily scammers, be wary of anyone who makes an offer to buy your car sight unseen or a sale in which someone else who arrives to pick it up and complete the transaction.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the HRPS Regional Fraud Unit at 905-825-4777.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
Media Inquiries:
Halton Regional Police Service
Media Relations
Phone: 905-825-4899
Email: corpcomm@haltonpolice.ca
发表回复