Ontario Provincial Police say two women from Quebec are facing charges in connection with an attempted automobile financing fraud. Police say officers with the Mercier, Que., police department contacted the OPP on Sept. 2 about suspects who were allegedly trying to buy vehicles at local dealerships using fraudulent documents. The following day, officers with the OPP arrested the two suspects in Hawkesbury, Ont., approximately 100 kilometres northwest of Mercier. A 41-year-old woman from Montreal-Nord and a 30-year-old woman from Saint-Laurent, Que., were charged with identity fraud, personation with intent to obtain property, obtaining or possessing another person’s identity, two counts of forgery, and fraud over $5,000. Both are due in court in L’Orignal, Ont., at later dates. The OPP say vehicle financing fraud occurs when fraudsters use stolen identities, credit card information, and altered insurance documents, to apply for auto loans through dealerships to fraudulently purchase vehicles. Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.
