3 arrested for allegedly buying Porsches, BMWs, Audis with fake bank drafts, B.C. RCMP say
Three suspects have been charged for allegedly using forged bank drafts to purchase high-end vehicles – including Porsches, BMWs and Audis – from sellers in B.C.’s Lower Mainland, the RCMP announced Wednesday.
The victims included businesses and individuals who listed vehicles for sale online, and their combined losses totalled more than $850,000, authorities said.
Richmond RCMP began investigating the fraud scheme in January, and executed search warrants at two properties, arresting two of their three suspects.
Officers have also recovered 10 of 16 vehicles that were allegedly purchased using the forged drafts, which were valued between $33,000 and $103,000 each, the detachment said in a news release.
Eight of the vehicles have been returned to their rightful owners, while the other two are “subject to legal proceedings,” Richmond RCMP said.
“Our officers have worked tirelessly to bring those responsible for this significant fraud network to justice,” said Insp. Michael Cohee, in the release. “We also want to extend our gratitude to the public for their vigilance and co-operation throughout the investigation.”
Authorities said the three suspects – Ka Tin Hong, Shing Wai Wong and Pui Hei Chu – are facing 30 criminal charges, including fraud over $5,000, ID-related offences, and instructing the commission of an offence for a criminal organization.
Richmond RCMP said sellers can help protect themselves from fraud by verifying bank drafts at the financial institutions where they were issued before finalizing any transactions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's 'most wanted terrorist' arrested on gun charges in Canada
One of India's most wanted terrorists has been arrested and charged in connection with a recent alleged shooting in Ontario.
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
What makes walking so great for your health and what else you need to do
Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life.
U.S. Congress hosts second round of UFO hearings
The U.S. government held another UFO hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, the second such hearing in 16 months. This hearing was billed as an attempt by congress to provide a better understanding of what is known about previous sightings of UFOs, also known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).
Toronto teenager charged with first-degree murder in Kitchener, Ont. homicide
A Toronto teen has been charged as part of an investigation into Kitchener, Ont.’s first homicide of 2024.
Spy service officer denies threatening Montreal man who was later imprisoned in Sudan
A Canadian Security Intelligence Service official has denied threatening a Montreal man who was later imprisoned and allegedly tortured by authorities in Sudan.
Donald Trump picks Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.
This Canadian airline will adopt Apple's new AirTag feature to help recover lost baggage. Here's how
Apple announced that a new feature, 'Share Item Location,' will help users locate and recover misplaced items by sharing an AirTag location with third parties including airlines.
Canada bracing for 'tough' talks as Trump's pick calls northern border an 'extreme vulnerability'
The Canadian government is aware it's likely in for 'tough conversations' with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's administration, after his border czar said there is 'an extreme national security vulnerability' he intends to tackle at the Canada-U.S. border.