Online transaction and vehicle fraud investigation

Calgary Police Service District 4 officers have charged a man following a lengthy, and ongoing, investigation into online transaction and vehicle repair frauds.

In November 2015, police received a complaint from a man living in Newfoundland who had sent money in return for a vehicle part that was advertised on a buy and sell site. The vehicle part was never sent to him and he was unable to reach the person he had been communicating with to get his money back.

An investigation revealed more than 50 people across Canada have been victimized by the same type of scam. Victims report being contacted by a man after placing online ads looking for specific auto parts. The man would request a payment up-front or a deposit, to cover the cost of shipping. After receiving payment by e-transfer or wire transfer, the man would not send the vehicle parts, nor would he return any of the money he had obtained.

Other reports allege the man would offer to take on a vehicle for mechanical work and then either not complete the work, or he would claim the vehicles had been stolen from outside his residence. In these instances he also demanded to be paid up front.

On Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, Jeffrey John KEIZER, 26, of Calgary, who also goes by the name of Jack Van Der Van, Kyle Brown and Kenny MacDonald, was arrested in southeast Calgary and charged with one count of theft of a motor vehicle and 10 counts of fraud under $5,000. KEIZER will next appear in court on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016.

The Calgary Police Service would like to thank the RCMP, Saskatoon Police Service, Hamilton Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary for their assistance in this investigation.

Anyone who believes they may have been defrauded during an online transaction is encouraged to contact the police non-emergency number 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

Case # 15448489/4110