A 23-year-old Sarnia woman was arrested this week in connection to a fraud investigation at a local car dealership, police say.
The Sarnia Police Service says officers received a complaint from Parklane Chevrolet “expressing concerns about a customer attempting to make a vehicle purchase using fraudulent documents.”
In response, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) initiated an investigation.
“Subsequent inquiries revealed that an individual, using counterfeit cheques, credit cards, and identification, sought to acquire a truck with an estimated value of approximately $100,000,” a news release noted.
On Wednesday, Jan. 31, the suspect returned to the dealership to complete some paperwork and pick up the vehicle, police said, adding that officers from the CID and Vice units arranged a planned operation to intercept the suspect at the dealership.
“The suspect attended as scheduled, leading to her arrest without incident.”
Upon arrest, various forms of fraudulent identification (Driver’s Licence, Health Card, Permanent Resident Card, Social Insurance Number) were seized, along with a small quantity of suspected cocaine, police added.
As a result, a 23-year-old female resident of Sarnia faces multiple charges, including:
- Fraud over $5000
- Three counts of Uttering a forged document
- Personation with Intent
- Identity Theft
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
The accused is currently in custody pending a bail hearing.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Sarnia Police Service Criminal Investigation Division at 519-344-8861.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
Public Advisory: Safeguarding Identification Documents
The Sarnia Police Service encourages the public to remain vigilant in protecting their identification documents from potential misuse. Identity theft poses significant risks, including financial fraud and compromised personal information. To enhance your security, consider the following:
- Secure Your Documents: Keep important identification documents such as driver’s licenses, health cards, and Social Insurance Numbers in a secure location
- Monitor Your Statements: Regularly review bank statements, credit card transactions, and other financial records to detect any unauthorized activity promptly.
- Shred Sensitive Information: Dispose of documents containing personal information, such as bank statements and utility bills, by shredding them to prevent unauthorized access.
- Use Strong Passwords: When online, utilize strong, unique passwords for your accounts and update them regularly.
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common scams and techniques used by fraudsters to protect yourself from potential threats.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has helpful information to educate and protect yourself from frauds, scams and identity thefts as well as reporting these crimes. https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
By being informed and remaining vigilant, individuals contribute to a safer community and minimize the risk of falling victim to identity-related crimes.