Charges Laid in Relation to Vehicle Cloning

The Calgary Police Service Auto Theft Unit has charged two men in relation to vehicle cloning.

In the summer of 2012, information was received from the Kelowna RCMP, which led the CPS Auto Theft Unit to be on the lookout for two particular vehicles. The vehicles were subsequently located and following further testing, determined to have been previously reported stolen in British Columbia and then re-vinned (cloned) and registered in Alberta.

Typically, the vehicle cloning process works as follows:

A motor vehicle is stolen or obtained by fraud.
Culprits then search for a vehicle that is similar in colour, year, make and model in another province or country.
The VIN from the other jurisdiction is incorporated into a new VIN plate and federal standards decal, which are then placed on the vehicle that was stolen or obtained by fraud.
Culprits then attend an inspection facility for an out of province inspection form.
A forged bill of sale and the out of province inspection form are then presented to a Registry Office and the vehicle is registered.
The vehicle now has a new identity and is offered for sale to an unsuspecting buyer.

The CPS recovered almost 50 vehicles in 2012 that had been cloned or re-vinned.

The Service encourages consumers to take the following steps prior to purchasing a motor vehicle:

Ask for and take note of government issued identification from the seller
Do a Carproof or Carfax check on the vehicle. If the vehicle is showing as being registered in another province or country – ask more questions. If the vehicle is showing salvage or junk title – ask more questions.
Look at the public VIN (lower left dashboard) and compare how the VIN looks to another similar vehicle i.e. Ford to Ford.
Compare the public VIN to the federal certification label on the driver’s door frame. The VIN should be the same. The decal should not show any signs of peeling.
Take the vehicle to a car dealership and have them conduct checks. Take Ford products to Ford dealerships etc.
Check the VIN on www.cpic-cipc.ca to see if the vehicle is listed as stolen.

Charged in relation to the most recent case are Nigel Bruce HUGGETT, 41, of Calgary, and Benjamin Kristopher WILKEN, 30, of Blackfalds. Each is charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000.