Thursday, March 28, 2024

West Shore RCMP look to identify suspect in massive identity theft and fraud cases

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West Shore RCMP are asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect in a massive theft and fraud operation taking place on Vancouver Island.

In October, the West Shore RCMP Crime Reduction Unit uncovered a massive identity theft and fraud operation that was taking place across the island.

RCMP were first alerted to the operation when they received a complaint on September 18 about a fraudulent bank draft that was used to buy a used car from a dealership in Colwood.

An initial investigation uncovered four other transactions involving fraudulent bank drafts that were used to purchase vehicles from dealerships across Vancouver Island.

RCMP were able to track down the vehicles and identified two suspects. They also determined that one of the vehicles had been used in a September break and enter at Adams Store in View Royal.

Eight separate storage lockers were broken into during the September theft, and victims said stolen items included personal documents and identification cards along with other valuables.

On October 21st, RCMP officers executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence located in Langford where officers found the stolen contents of the eight storage units inside the home, along with a “vast amount” of evidence of identity and bank fraud.

Over 1,000 pieces of stolen ID,  credit card embossers, PIN machines, printers and computers were also seized from the residence.

Since then, investigators have linked 25 unsolved frauds and thefts over the past two years from evidence from that operation.

One of the unsolved fraud cases took place in November 2019, when personal identification stolen from a parked vehicle was allegedly used to gain access to the victim’s bank accounts.

According to RCMP, over the course of two months, the suspect fraudulently accessed over $6,000 and attempted to secure a loan in the victims name for thousands more.

Police have released photos of a suspect and are hoping the public can help them identify him. He is described as a white male in his 30s who was wearing a black pullover Nike brand windbreaker with a blue and white toque.

Anyone who can identify the suspect is asked to call West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or report anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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Victoria Buzz Staffhttps://www.victoriabuzz.com
Your inside source for Greater Victoria happenings. Established in 2012.

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