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False identities used to buy luxury cars in Victoria and ship them to Africa

VicPD says an international investigation is currently tracking down the stolen cars
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Luxury vehicles have been stolen from Victoria car lots and shipped to Africa using false identities. (Pixnio)

Victoria’s luxury vehicle realm has been a target of international fraud and theft in the last year, according to Victoria Police.

In a presentation to Victoria city council, Chief Const. Del Manak spoke on recent international efforts to track vehicles stolen by an organized crime ring.

“This is a fraud involving an organized crime group. They’re fraudulently purchasing high-end luxury vehicles and they’re doing that using false identities and false credit cards,” Manak said. “These vehicles are being shipped worldwide using a worldwide shipping company, and they’re being shipped to Africa, to the Republic of Congo and also to Senegal.”

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VicPD worked with the RCMP, Interpol and other police forces to track down one of the vehicles in Senegal, and continues to work on the investigation.

The fraud is happening in Victoria as well as other major cities in Canada.

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“Investigations into similar frauds, more than $60,000 each, continue,” said VicPD spokesperson Const. Matt Rutherford in a statement. “VicPD patrol officers continue to work with provincial and federal agencies in order to determine who is responsible and recover the cars for the victims.”

The number of cars stolen has not been confirmed, nor specific brands.

nicole.crescenzi@vicnews.com


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