3 charged with Richmond-based fraud activity totalling over $850,000

Mounties in Richmond say charges have been approved against three people suspected of having defrauded Lower Mainland residents of over $850,000.

The alleged fraud was a bank draft scheme that police say targeted both individuals and automotive businesses.

The Richmond RCMP says the charges were laid in late October after an investigation into the suspects’ activity began in January.

“This alleged scheme involved the use of forged bank drafts and fake IDs to purchase high-value vehicles, including BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and Audi models, valued between $33,000 and $103,000, from private sellers on online sale platforms,” Mounties said Wednesday.

Police say they recovered 10 out of 16 vehicles, with eight returned to their owners, and two still subject to legal proceedings.

When the RCMP executed two search warrants in April, officers reportedly seized “counterfeit identity documents and electronic devices used to manufacture forgeries,” and two of the suspects were arrested.

The three suspects now face 30 criminal charges, including fraud over $5,000, identity document offences, and instructing the commission of an offence for a criminal organization.

“To protect against similar fraud, Richmond RCMP advises that individuals involved in private sales, particularly through online marketplaces, verify bank drafts at the issuing financial institutions before finalizing any transactions,” Mounties said.

If you have information related to the suspects or similar fraudulent activity, you’re asked to contact the Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212, your police of jurisdiction, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).