Car dealership alleged to have abused the motor vehicle registration process - two charged. Four victims so far.

Crime 100By Staff

March 24th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Halton Regional Police Service Fraud Bureau, in partnership with investigators from Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) have concluded an investigation into Identity Fraud.

In October 2016, a victim reported having a motor vehicle registered to him in which he had no knowledge. The victim became aware of the unauthorized registration as a result of receiving 407 ETR bills.

In this Sept. 18, 2010 photo, "Sale" is spelled out in the open hoods of used cars at a Toyota dealership in Glendale, Calif. Retail sales posted a third monthly increase in September as solid gains at auto, furniture and hardware stores helped to offset weakness at clothing and department stores. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) ORG XMIT: CARS302

Every car sold has to be registered to someone – that proved to be a problem to one victim – there are others.

A subsequent investigation by the HRPS and OMVIC discovered an independent auto dealer in Milton responsible for the false registrations. Further an additional four people from the GTA were identified as victims of the same scam. The location of these falsely registered vehicles is unknown at this time, however HRPS believes one of the vehicles has been involved in a break and enter offence in Southern Ontario.

Car registrations

A car dealership was abusing the process of registering cars. Police want to talk to anyone who finds that a car they never owned has been registered in their name.

The HRPS, with assistance of OMVIC, executed search warrants at the Milton dealership and residence of the dealership principles.

As a result, two Mississauga men have been arrested and charged as follows:

Jan KOWALCZYK (59yrs), charged with 6 counts of Identity Fraud, 6 counts of Uttering Forged Documents
and
Justin KOWALCZYK (25yrs), charged with 5 counts of Identity Fraud and 5 counts of Uttering Forged Documents

Police and OMVIC have seen a growing trend in the false registration of vehicles for fraudulent gain. Police are seeking information from the public in this regard.

Crime stoppers logo thumbnailTips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).

This is a serious one. The implications from this kind of fraud that has a vehicle registered to someone that knew nothing about the registration touches on insurance and liability issues. When the bandits get inside government organizations – there is a very serious problem.

Return to the Front page
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Comments are closed.