Toronto Police have charged a 43-year-old man with 101 counts related to auto fraud. The investigation began last month and was prompted by reports of suspicious vehicle transfers at ServiceOntario locations.
Authorities believe the individual may have been involved in various vehicle-related frauds since November 2023.
The suspect, Winkle Lejarde, was arrested on August 9 and is facing multiple charges, including altering or removing vehicle identification numbers, uttering forged documents, and committing fraud over $5,000.
To safeguard against purchasing stolen vehicles, police advise used-car buyers to obtain a vehicle history report and watch for inconsistencies. The Insurance Bureau of Canada has noted a significant rise in auto theft, with claim costs increasing by 254 per cent nationally from 2018 to 2023.
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Sola Adeniji
News Reporter, Freelancer, and content creator
