Peel Police say 12 people accused of running a stolen vehicle and auto insurance fraud ring in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding area have been arrested after a "lengthy" and "complex" investigation.
 

In remarks to reporters Wednesday morning, police said they seized nine stolen vehicles and laid more than 81 charges in the investigation, dubbed Project Memphis.
 

Police said the investigation began in early 2023 following a tip from a member of the public.

Sergeant Simone Kennedy told reporters at a press conference Wednesday that during the course of the investigation, officers became aware of a group that was stealing vehicles from driveways and sales lots, refinishing the cars, then paying people to buy the stolen vehicles.

She added, "It was determined that the individuals charged used their prior knowledge of the automotive and financing industry to complete these fraudulent transactions.

She explained that it is believed that the refinished vehicles were smuggled to buyers who paid money to purchase the vehicles fraudulently.

Simone also said, "In some cases, buyers attempted to submit fraudulent insurance claims by reporting their vehicle stolen."

 Police said the vehicles seized in the investigation, which include BMWs, Range Rovers, and Bentleys, are valued at $1.2 million.

Investigators also said Project Memphis "prevented thefts worth $350,000 from insurance fraud operations."

 Police reported that some vehicles were smuggled through local dealers, who were unaware of the illegal activity.

Investigators said the "majority of the individuals" charged formerly worked in the automotive or auto finance industry.

According to police, the vehicles were trafficked in a "sophisticated" manner involving "inside knowledge to circumvent some systems in place to prevent" this type of fraud.

The accused in the case reside in Hamilton, Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton.

Charges include trafficking in stolen goods, fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, and forgery.

The accused are Tristan Serrano, 26, Josh Conanan, 24, Frank Martin Cruz, 23, Destiny Ojijeva, 25, Rahul Bedi, 25, Andrew Enriquez, 26, Martin Sweet, 26, Angeline Sweet, 32, Krista McIntyre, 29, John Royvifar, 24.

In addition, Mahmoud Shahada (36) and Sir Azim (24) are charged in the case.

It is noteworthy that insurance fraud and vehicle theft operations have increased in recent years and are not limited to the Greater Toronto Area but are also practiced by seasoned gangs in the Canadian capital Ottawa, which has become a dilemma as these gangs have collected millions of dollars through illicit means.