Identity theft ring investigation

The Calgary Police Service Economic Crimes Unit has charged four people following a two-month long investigation into a credit card fraud and identity theft ring.

Investigators believe suspects were acquiring credit histories for victims and using the information to apply for various bank accounts and credit cards. Once the credit cards were applied for, the suspects would fraudulently apply for a Canada Post mail re-direct from the victim’s address to a post office box controlled by the suspects. Once the suspects received the fraudulently obtained credit cards, officers believe they used them to make high-end purchases including electronics and car parts.

Police executed search warrants on Thursday, March 17, 2016, on two residences in the 100 block of Penworth Green S.E. and the 300 block of 10 Street N.W. The following items were seized as a result of the search:

• Credit card embosser
• Credit card mag strip encoder
• ID/Credit card printer
• Credit card blanks
• Counterfeit and modified credit cards
• Mail belonging to various victims
• Identity documents and information
• 585 grams of marijuana
• More than $2,500 cash

A third search warrant was executed on a 2007 Range Rover, which police believe was used in the commission of the fraud offences and also has fraudulently obtained vehicle parts installed.

One person was arrested and three remain wanted on warrants.

Francis MBUYA, 32, of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:

• Three counts of identity theft
• Five counts of possession of forged credit card
• Four counts of possession of credit card data
• One count of fraud under $5,000
• One count of possession of stolen property under $5,000

MBUYA will next appear in court on Thursday, May 12, 2016.

Paul SEGUIN, 30, of Montreal, is wanted on warrants for:

• Two counts of fraud under $5,000
• Three counts of possession of forged credit card
• One count of identity fraud
• Two counts of identity theft
• Two counts of breach of probation
• One count of possession of credit card data

SEGUIN is described as Caucasian, approximately 5’9” tall, 200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. A photo of SEGUIN can be downloaded from The City of Calgary Newsroom.

Jeff Carmell CHARLES, 32, of Calgary, is wanted on warrant for one count each of:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of instruments for forging credit cards
• Identity theft
• Counterfeiting Mark (Government of Canada)
• Possession of stolen property under $5,000
• Possession of Credit Card Data
• Possession of forged credit card
• Possession of identity documents

CHARLES is described as black, approximately 5’9” tall, 185 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair and a slim build. No photos of CHARLES are available.

Jack-Samuel MESADIEUX, 19, Brooklyn, NY, is wanted on warrants for one count each of :

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of instruments for forging credit cards
• Identity theft
• Counterfeiting Mark (Government of Canada)
• Possession of stolen property under $5,000
• Possession of credit card data
• Possession of forged credit card
• Possession of identity documents

MESADIEUX is described as black, approximately 5’11” tall, 180 pounds, with a slim build, brown eyes and black hair. A photo of MESADIEUX is available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.