ServiceOntario worker among 4 charged in vehicle fraud investigation - BERITAJA

A ServiceOntario worker is among 4 group who person been charged successful an investigation into the resale of stolen, re‑vinned vehicles crossed the province.

The investigation, dubbed “Project Tailwind,” was initiated successful March aft constabulary received allegations of the fraudulent registration of stolen vehicles.

OPP opportunity the investigation revealed that documents required to complete Ontario’s conveyance registration process were being improperly obtained and misused. Officers allege these documents were utilized to connect caller conveyance recognition numbers (VIN) to stolen vehicles, allowing them to beryllium registered pinch the Ministry of Transportation, sold and driven connected nationalist roads.

Changing a VIN conceals the vehicle’s identity, constabulary say, making it look legitimate.

The Ministry of Public Business Service Delivery and Procurement (MPBSDP), which oversees conveyance registration successful Ontario, assisted successful the investigation.

“This investigation highlights the grade to which conveyance recognition accusation could beryllium misused to disguise stolen vehicles and reintroduce them into the marketplace,” OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart said successful a property release.

Four hunt warrants were executed astatine residences successful Maple, Brampton and Kitchener, arsenic good arsenic 1 vehicle. During the searches, six stolen vehicles were recovered on pinch aggregate physics devices.

The 4 accused look charges related to breach of trust, usage of forged documents and trafficking of spot obtained by crime.

“Frauds specified arsenic these could person important impacts connected victims, leaving unsuspecting buyers pinch important financial losses,” Stoddart said.

“We promote the nationalist to return steps to safeguard themselves erstwhile purchasing a utilized vehicle.”

The investigation is ongoing.