ServiceOntario worker, three others charged in re-VINning probe
· Toronto Sun
Four people including a ServiceOntario worker have been charged following a police investigation into the resale of stolen automobiles and altered vehicle identification numbers.
Ontario Provincial Police said officers in the auto theft and towing unit began an investigation in March about fraudulent registration of stolen vehicles and re-VINning.
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Re-VINning refers to the criminal act of changing a vehicle’s identification number to a different VIN to disguise the fact it is stolen. The vehicles are then sold to unsuspecting buyers or re-registered illegally for use in criminal activity.
Documents improperly obtained and misused
The investigation, dubbed Project Tailwind, allegedly revealed that documents required in Ontario’s vehicle registration process were being improperly obtained and misused.
OPP said these documents were then used to give stolen vehicles a new VIN, allowing them to be registered with the province’s Ministry of Transportation, and sold and driven as legitimate vehicles.
On May 5, four search warrants were executed on residences in Maple, Brampton and Kitchener as well as one vehicle by investigators with its auto theft and towing unit, organized crime bureau, highway enforcement team, digital forensics, and forensic identification services.
Following the search, investigators recovered six stolen vehicles as well as electronic devices, police said.
What are the charges?
Sonia Cianfaran, 28, of Vaughan, was charged with breach of trust and trafficking property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Sarvathan Balasubramaniam, 32, and Gajan Karunanithy, 34, both of Brampton, and Jose Lozano, 36, of Kitchener were each charged with use, deals, acts on forged document and trafficking property obtained by crime over $5,000.
All accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before a Newmarket court on June 12.
“Frauds such as these can have substantial impacts on victims, leaving unsuspecting buyers with significant financial losses,” OPP Chief Supt. Mike Stoddart said in a statement.
“This investigation highlights the extent to which vehicle identification information can be misused to disguise stolen vehicles and reintroduce them into the marketplace.”
Buyers need to protect themselves
Stoddart, who also leads the OPP’s Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, said consumers should always take steps to safeguard themselves when purchasing a used vehicle.
“The OPP-led PATT Team will continue to investigate those who engage in fraudulent activities, working with our partners to protect the integrity of Ontario’s vehicle registration system,” he added.
OPP said officials with the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement and the Ministry of Transportation aided the investigation.
Anyone with any information in relation to this investigation or auto theft activity should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).