Calgary, AB,
03
January
2014
|
07:55
America/Denver

Vehicle Fraud Investigation

One person has been charged with fraud after a Calgary Police Service investigation.

In late 2012, the CPS Auto Theft Unit was approached by members of the public, who reported they had been solicited by an auto body shop employee.

It was alleged the man offered to ship vehicles that had been in collisions to another country, so the owner could report it stolen, in order to claim insurance and/or cancel a loan.

After police used a variety of investigative techniques, a man was accused of making arrangements to have a vehicle shipped to Africa in a shipping container. CPS members were able to intercept the vehicle prior to it being shipped.

Santiago GUIFARRO, 44, of Calgary, has been charged with one count each of fraud over $5,000 and counselling to commit an indictable offense.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: tttTIPS.com
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

Details of a media availability will follow in a seperate media advisory.