Counterfeit licence plates sold by two Hamilton men linked to at least 30 criminal investigations: police

The counterfeit licence plates have been tied to at least 30 fraud, organized auto theft, violence, and firearms investigations in Ontario.

Peel police say two people are in custody after allegedly producing and selling counterfeit licence plates that have been tied to at least 30 criminal investigations in Ontario.

In a news release, Peel police said investigators with its road safety services division identified a registered online business that was making and selling counterfeit llicence plates to be used on vehicles.

Some of the fake plates, Det.-Const. Philip Menecola said, had plate numbers that were registered to legitimate drivers.

“If a duplicate licence plate is used in a criminal offence, there have been incidents of police following up with the true registered owner of that licence plate, which is actually one of the methods in which we were able to identify how widespread this problem was,” he said.

Police said the plates were used in a wide range of offences, including organized auto theft and violent carjackings.

The plates, police said, were also linked to criminal cases in other parts of Canada.

Search warrants were executed at two addresses in Hamilton on April 7 following a “lengthy investigation,” police said.

Two people were arrested without incident at that time, police confirmed.

“Investigators seized items used to produce and distribute counterfeit licence plates, including currency, plate‑pressing equipment, fraudulent blank plates from multiple jurisdictions, promotional materials, vehicles, and other related items,” police said in the news release issued Wednesday.

In one incident at around 8 a.m. on June 12, 2025, police allege that an impaired driver operating a stolen vehicle with counterfeit plates fled from police before crashing on Dixie Road. The suspect, police said, was arrested after attempting to take another vehicle.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Menecola said the suspects used both online platforms and temporary retail booths at auto shows to market the plates.

“Our investigators have evidence to suggest that this organization was aware that the plates they were creating were being used not only on vehicles but also in crime incidents as well,” he said.

“They had a somewhat robust social media presence and my understanding is there was some advertisements placed.”

Police say Avery Macleod-Nolk, 28, and Tyler Matthew Macleod, 27, both of Hamilton, are facing several charges, including unlawfully making marks, selling or possessing counterfeit marks, affixing a mark, and possession of property obtained by crime.