Toronto police say ServiceOntario workers involved in fake VIN scheme, recover over 350 vehicles in auto-theft probe

 

More than 350 vehicles have been recovered and 59 people have been arrested following an auto-theft investigation by Toronto police, who say some ServiceOntario employees were involved in a scheme that provided fraudulent vehicle identification numbers (VINs) for stolen cars. 

The results of the investigation, known as Project Thoroughbred, were shared by police Chief Myron Demkiw and Supt. Ron Taverner at a press conference in Scarborough on Friday morning. Toronto police say they have recovered 363 stolen vehicles, valued at $14 million, and have laid 302 charges so far. 

Police also revealed several “chop shops” throughout the city where stolen vehicles are quickly dismantled and then shipped overseas. 

Police allege ServiceOntario employees knowingly used fake documents provided by “chop shops” to show valid VINs which were then used to register for real Ontario licence plates that were sold to unknowing buyers. 

No ServiceOntario employees were among the 59 arrested, police said. 

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