Man tried to swindle Sudbury car dealership out of $36K in fraudulent credit card purchases

The Greater Sudbury Police Service is reminding business owners to be vigilant with regards to phone purchases using credit cards following a recent incident at a local car dealership. (File)

A man with no fixed address and from Quebec tried to make two large purchases from a Sudbury car dealership but was caught when he returned a second time.

Sudbury police were contacted June 17 by the dealership about the first purchase, which totalled more than $17,000.

“The suspect also made a second attempt at a fraudulent purchase totalling over $19,000,” police said in a news release Thursday.

“Just before 1 p.m. on June 19 … officers intercepted the suspect at the local dealership upon his arrival to complete the second transaction.”

He was taken into custody and a search revealed he had fake identification.

“His true identity was confirmed via police identification records,” police said, adding that he is 39 years old and “resides out of province with no fixed address.”

He is charged with fraud over $5,000 and possessing a forged document with intent. He is scheduled to be in bail court today.

Police said he tried to buy vehicle parts using a "compromised credit card."

“The Greater Sudbury Police Service would like to remind business owners to be vigilant with regards to phone purchases using credit cards,” the release said.

“We advise businesses to take proactive measures with large purchases taken over the phone with credit cards.”

Businesses are advised to place a hold on such transactions until the payment clears, to contact the credit card company directly and to always get the name, expiration day and three-digit code from the card.

Click here to learn more. If you have been a victim of a scam less than $5,000 in Sudbury, click here to report it online.

If the fraud exceeds $5,000, report it to police using the non-emergency line, 705-675-9171.