Winnipeg man charged in connection with inter-provincial luxury car theft ring

A 23-year-old Winnipeg antheral is facing 68 charges aft constabulary busted a large car theft ringing liable for trafficking high-end vehicles from Ontario to Manitoba.

The probe began erstwhile MPI investigators noticed discrepancies successful Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) astir February 2024 during conveyance registrations successful Manitoba.

“These vehicles were brought into Manitoba, they’re re-vinned, and sold to consumers and businesses,” says Cam Mackid, WPS Superintendent

The investigation, dubbed “Project Buyer Beware,” recovered 17 vehicles, with an estimated insured worth of $1 million, with 16 of those stolen from Ontario.

Mohamad Kasem was arrested successful December aft an probe by Winnipeg constabulary and Manitoba Public Insurance uncovered a blase cognition involving the theft and resale of luxury vehicles.

“It’s a wide connection to organized transgression that you’re not invited here,” Matt Weibe, Minister of Justice, said.

“We’re going to bash our part, and MPI is simply a large spouse to marque definite that we’re going against organized transgression and keeping our assemblage safe.”

MPI President Satvir Jatana highlighted the important relation of their Special Investigation Unit successful the case. She besides noted that MPI’s enactment contributed to stopping $15 cardinal successful security fraud past year, including this investigation.

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Trevor Wuerch, Winnipeg Police Stolen Auto Unit detective, suggested that immoderate businesses whitethorn person unknowingly purchased the stolen vehicles.

“I americium not going to accidental they’re sloppy, but they’re seeing these vehicles travel in, and determination could person been a small much checks that they could’ve done, and they would’ve discovered this themselves,” Wuerch said.

The probe is ongoing, and constabulary expect further arrests. Authorities are urging consumers to beryllium cautious erstwhile purchasing utilized cars, peculiarly luxury models, and to verify VINs to debar becoming victims of akin schemes.