Halton Regional Police say they have made three arrests and recovered a number of luxury vehicles, including a Lamborghini and a Ferrari, with the total value of the vehicles pegged at more than $1.6 million.
The vehicles were allegedly obtained under a sophisticated scheme by people presenting themselves at car dealerships as representatives of a legitimate retailer of luxury vehicles.
Halton Police said they got help from U.S. Homeland Security, the New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police and the FBI to intercept the vehicles, many of which were destined for export overseas, police said. Toronto Police and the OPP also helped in the case.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused are considered innocent unless proven guilty.
Full details on 'Project Luxe' can be found in the following Halton Regional Police Service news release:
In summer 2023, members of the Halton Regional Police Regional Service (HRPS) Regional Fraud Unit commenced an investigation into a group of individuals impersonating representatives of a legitimate retailer of luxury vehicles.
This group attended several dealerships throughout the Greater Toronto Area where they fraudulently obtained several high-end vehicles. The sophistication of this particular scam and exceptional quality of the documents they produced enabled the group to carry out similar frauds at other GTA and southern Ontario area dealerships.
Members of the Regional Fraud Unit established "Project Luxe" and took the provincial lead to combat the efforts of this highly-organized group. An extensive investigation commenced, which led to the successful identification of group members, as well as established connections to a broader distribution network.
HRPS Regional Fraud investigators were assisted by members of Homeland Security, the New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police, Toronto Police Service, OPP, and the FBI. Successful vehicle recoveries were made throughout Ontario and in the United States. Many of the intercepted vehicles were destined for export overseas.
The estimated value of the recovered vehicles totals more than $1.6 million.
Among the vehicles recovered during Project Luxe were a 2023 Maybach GLS600 (valued at over $300,000), a 2020 Lamborghini Urus (also valued at over $300,000), 2021 Ferrari F8 Spider (valued at $600,000), 2023 Porche 911 Turbo (valued at more than $225,000), 2017 Mercedes E400, and 2021 Dodge Durango (both valued over $60,000 each).
In November 2023, search warrants were carried out at locations throughout the GTA, resulting the seizure of evidence linking the accused to the alleged offences. This included equipment used to replicate security features for various methods of secure payment.
Arrested and charged with fraud/possession related offences are:
- Enoch Johnson, 40, of Mississauga is charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000
- Ahmad Amiri, 29, of Oakville is charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000
- Issac Osunde Iyamu, 27, of no fixed address is charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000 (5 counts) and Fraud over $5,000
The Halton Regional Police Service reminds members of the public that there are steps they can take to help prevent fraud when selling your vehicle. They include:
- Exercising common sense and good judgment in dealings with any prospective buyers and throughout the process.
- If the situation makes you feel uneasy, approach it cautiously. Be mindful that scammers often use high-pressure tactics to have you enter into a sale before you can exercise your due-diligence.
- Ideally, secure payment before you transfer ownership. When you accept any form of payment, verify it with the issuing bank (don’t rely on your own bank, if different). Although your bank may accept a cheque or money order, the payment sometimes doesn’t clear for several days (or weeks).
- Verify the buyer’s identity with a driver’s licence, and one other form of identification (be sure they include name and address).
- Be cautious when engaged by distant buyers. Although not necessarily scammers, be wary of anyone who makes an offer to buy your car sight unseen or a sale in which someone else who arrives to pick it up and complete the transaction.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the HRPS Regional Fraud Unit at 905-825-4777.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
